The Belchertown Historical Association offered Living History Days: The Civil War during the weekend of July 8^th and 9^th, 2006. This event was a smashing success; one of many outstanding entertaining and educational programs we offer throughout the year. It is also our most well attended fundraiser. On one July weekend, residents and guests throughout the region have the opportunity to experience history—hands-on! Last May 2005, the Belchertown Historical Association’s 2004 Living History Days was awarded the Gold Star Award for excellence in community arts and culture by the Massachusetts Cultural Council! Because the Stone House needs more than $70,000 annually to run the facility and events, one of our most important fundraisers is Living History Days.

We make an impact on Western Massachusetts regional tourism by acting as a significant contributor to what is known as Heritage or Cultural Tourism. A recent study called New England's Creative Economy: The Non-Profit Sector, 2000 by the New England Foundation for the Arts, (c) 2003, dramatically demonstrated the cultural industry's potential for building the region's economic competitiveness. In Massachusetts alone, cultural non-profits provided nearly 40,000 jobs, collected and/or paid $7.6 million in state sales taxes, and had a total economic impact of nearly $3.5 billion. Support of cultural tourism benefits everyone!

This year, our third, offered different historic performers, a brand new 5K road race and double the number of re-enactors who brought the sights, smells and sounds of the War Between the States to life.

The following exciting elements made up the 2006 Living History Days:

As promised it was a weekend to remember.