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The popularity of HGTV and other home and garden-related television shows and magazines was the catalyst for this year’s Belchertown Historical Association (BHA) Living History Days: Then & Now on July 12th and 13th, 2008/ Jamming a weekend full of family-friendly events into the fifth year of this successful and affordable family fun affair offered a unique collection of events that celebrate Belchertown’s various contributions to the nation’s history and natural New England home and garden beauty.  Visitors and residents learned about history on many different levels; this was a year not to be missed!

 The July 12th & 13th weekend events included:

The very popular Garden Tour included the front and backyards of the local gardeners, chosen by Master Gardener Elaine Williamson.  Guests followed a convenient map for the self-guided tour and chose which gardens to tour in any order. 

New this year, Living History Days opened the beautiful homes of Belchertown with a Historic Home Tour on Sunday, July 13th. The tours were self-guided as well as hourly tours with a guide on Town Common.  The Stone House Museum, part of the tour, was open for group tours during the entire weekend. 

 2nd Annual Art Show “LifeStyles of New England” Juried Fine Art Exhibit. Show took place in the Old Town Hall on Town Common.  Artists were asked this year to capture the widest, most creative interpretations of this year’s theme Lifestyles Then & Now, including all manner of dress, level of technology, architecture, means of transportation, food choices and other artifacts of our physical relationship to the world and to each other. Judges had their work cut out for them Saturday morning choosing the winners of the Belchertown Historical Association's second annual juried art show, part of Living History Days.  Pondering the entries  were judges (from left) art lecturer Gloria Russell; Pam Bronner, manager of the Belchertown branch of Easthampton Savings Bank; and Nancy Bryant owner of Giclée of New England.   And the winners were: First place: Judy Bettencourt, of Belchertown, for her painting Reflections on the Ride.  Second place: Robert R. Wordsworth of Belchertown, for his painting, Green Thumb.   Third place: Jean Stabell of New Salem, for her photograph, Weathervane.        Honorable mentions were awarded to Bettencourt, Wordsworth, Annie Steiner also of Belchertown; Geraldine Barboza of Chicopee, and Michael Vinyard of Southbridge.

 Historic Auto & Motorcycle Show: Antique cars and motorcycles, were all on display at the Town Common w/ DJ Bruce Marshall spinning hits from the 40’s through the 60’s. 

The 3rd Annual Cannonball Run 5K Road Race took place Sunday morning, July 13th with a start next to the historic Civil War Cannon and grand finish on the Town Common.  $100 Cash Prizes for top male and female runners!  

 “In addition to being one of our major fundraising events for the Historical Association, Living History Days gives us an opportunity to share history with the community in a fun and exciting way,” says Tom Stockton, BHA President.