Contact:
Elizabeth Taras, Trustee
20 Maple Street (Route 202)
PO Box 1211
Belchertown, MA 01007
(413) 687.3144
Coldsprings@Charter.net
BELCHERTOWN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNING
LIVING HISTORY DAYS: LIFESTYLES: THEN & NOW; JULY ‘08
Belchertown, MA June 21, 2008 – The popularity of HGTV and other home and garden-related television shows and magazines is the catalyst for this year’s Belchertown Historical Association (BHA) Living History Days: Then & Now on July 12th and 13th, 2008 from 10am* to 4pm! Jamming a weekend full of family-friendly events into the fifth year of this successful and affordable family fun affair will offer 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 are invited to learn about history on many different levels; this is a year not to be missed!
The July 12th & 13th weekend events include:
After a very popular Garden Tour last year, this year promises even more creativity on Saturday, July 12th as the front and backyards of the local gardeners, chosen by Master Gardener Elaine Williamson, will be open to appreciate. Guests may follow a convenient map for the self-guided tour and choose which gardens to tour in any order. A closing reception for guests will be held at the Stone House Museum on Saturday from 4pm-5pm.
New this year, Living History Days will now open the beautiful homes of Belchertown with a Historic Home Tour on Sunday, July 13th from 11am till 3pm. The tours are self-guided as well as hourly tours with a guide on Town Common. The Stone House Museum, part of the tour, will be open for group tours during the entire weekend.
Maps and tickets: $12 in advance* and BHA Members; $15 day of event, may be purchased on Town Common. Reserve tickets before July 12th by calling (413) 323-6573 or purchase advance tickets at the Belchertown Garden Center, Bell & Hudson Insurance Agency, Road House Café or Stadler Street Ace Hardware Store.
Admission to the event:
One Day Pass for events on that day (except Race): $15 adults
(12 and up); children under 12 are free
Two Day Pass for events on that day (except Race): $25 adults
(12 and up); children under 12 are free
Family Pass for 4 or more, 1 or 2 days: $25 for entire group
BHA Members receive $3 off admission
Historic Car Owners receive $2 off admission
2nd Annual Art Show “LifeStyles of New England” Juried Fine Art Exhibit. Show will take 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.
Historic Auto & Motorcycle Show: Antique cars and motorcycles, all on display at the Town Common w/ DJ Bruce Marshall spinning hits from the 40’s through the 60’s. This portion of the Living History Days weekend is FREE to the community!
The 3rd Annual Cannonball Run 5K Road Race will take place Sunday morning, July 13th with a start next to the historic Civil War Cannon and grand finish on the Town Common. Entry fees for the race are $12 before July 3rd and $15 after that date and day of race. All runners may use their bibs for entrance into the Art Show and Stone House Museum after the race. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.coolrunnings.com. $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. “Anyone who visits Belchertown on this weekend will have a grand time experiencing fine art, beautiful gardens and homes and a variety of historic cars, trucks and motorcycles!”
The Belchertown Historical Association was founded during March 1903, “for the preservation and exhibition of articles of historic interest on account of age or association with the past history of the town.” The Stone House Museum became the BHA's showcase in 1922 .For more information about this exciting and affordable weekend, families and group tours may call The Stone House Museum at (413) 323.6573.
