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Programs
& Events
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Research & Resources
The Belchertown Historical Association has
amassed collections and information during its 100+ year history thanks to
the generosity of the many people who believe in preserving history. Its
archivists have managed to document the holdings and resources
available. Archives are all about preserving and sharing information, and
we encourage your interest..
You may also be interested in reading interesting
stories of historical interest in From
the Archives.
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Archival Holdings
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Genealogy Database
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Links to Outside
Resources
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Research Request
Archival Holdings
2012 PDF file
The
Belchertown Historical Association has an archive in the Stone House
Museum that has over one hundred boxes of historical documents and records
that give a chronological history of Belchertown from its beginning in the
early 1700's up to the present day. The gathering in of these materials
started from the day the Association was formed in 1903.
Public
records and historical documents being preserved include
items from Post Office Records, Almanacs, Diaries, Autograph Books,
Business and Accounting Records, Community Organizations, Churches,
Military Records from the Civil War, World War I and World War II, Local
Growth, Records from Town Government, Fair History, Clapp Memorial
Library, Town History, Schools, News Clippings, Speeches and Pamphlets,
Post Cards and Greeting Cards, Photo Albums and Scrapbooks, Maps, Hotel
Registers, and more. To see a
partial listing of items, click
here,
or click on the icons above to view in Word or PDF version. To get information about specific items or to
donate to our collection, contact our
archivist -
Cliff McCarthy.
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New!!
Order today!
Belchertown:
Bits of History
The fifty stories in this charming collection mark the events, places
and people that have made Belchertown special. Drawn from the writings
of beloved local fixtures Doris and Harvey Dickinson, these tales show
how Belchertown holds firm to its New England Yankee traditions in the
heart of the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.
The book may
be purchased at the Stone House Museum, Clapp Memorial Library, Lawrence
Memorial Hall in the Town Clerk's office, Belchertown Copy Center and
Collective Copies. Next Book
signings will be at the Living
History Days events. |
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Volunteers are
always welcome.
Cliff McCarthy and Shirley Bock are at the archives on Mondays from
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and by appointment. We have a rich repository of local
history and family histories. We receive many requests for information
from all over the country and even from China. There is always
something to do in the archives. If you are interested in learning more
about the archives and what you might do to help, just leave a message at
the Stone House, 323-6573. We look forward to hearing from you.
Genealogy Database 2012
 
PDF file
Genealogical
records of Belchertown families are used extensively by those tracing
their family tree. These letters, diaries, photos, manuscripts,
newspapers, scrapbooks, published books and other materials collected over
the years give vital and unique information regarding Belchertown and the
families that have made this place their home. Click on the Word or PDF icon
above to open the database. There are over
200 pages in the alphabetical listing. To get information about your 'find' contact our
archivist
-
Cliff McCarthy.
Belchertown Genealogy
Group
The Belchertown Historical
Association, with the assistance of the Clapp Memorial Library, has
organized a group for local BHA members interested in tracing their family
histories. For more information, or to join the group, you can leave
a message at the Stone House: 413 323-6573.
Links to Other Resources 
Pioneer Valley History
Network is a resource for
local history organizations in western Massachusetts—and the public they
serve. Large or small, old or new, these organizations care for the
objects and stories of the region’s past. Some are small, volunteer-run
historical societies; others are large museum complexes. Some focus on
collections, others provide resources and education. All are committed to
keeping history alive and relevant for future generations.
The
Image Museum - Started by a museum
member as a public collection of images of old Agawam MA, this project has
grown into a web site containing thousands of historical images from
cities and towns throughout western Massachusetts.
Research Requests
Do you have a local history mystery? A family legend? An object you
can’t identify? A story about your home or the people who once lived in
it? Let Belchertown’s own History Investigators track down the facts! For
a donation to the Belchertown Historical Association,
Cliff McCarthy will try to solve your mystery. You can
leave a message at the Stone House: 413
323-6573 |
