Event Archive: Past Programs 2020
Event Archive 2019
Event Archive 2015-2018
Sunday, March 1, 2020 | 4:30 pm
Forever Seeing New Beauties: The Forgotten Impressionist Mary Rogers Williams
A Public Talk by Eve M. Kahn, author and former Antiques columnist for The New York Times
Picture
A Profile, c. 1895, oil on canvas, 21 x 16 in.
Shown at the New York Water Color Club and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1895. Private collection (photo: Ted Hendrickson)
Eve M. Kahn, independent scholar and the former Antiques columnist for The New York Times, will lecture on her new book, Forever Seeing New Beauties: The Forgotten Impressionist Mary Rogers Williams, 1857-1907 (Wesleyan University Press).

Mary Rogers Williams had a 20-year-long teaching career in the art department of Smith College.  A baker's daughter from Hartford, Connecticut, she biked and hiked from the Arctic Circle to Naples, exhibited from Paris to Indianapolis, chafed against art world rules that favored men and wrote thousands of pages about her travels and work, but sadly ended up almost totally obscure.  Kahn will explain her own detective work and the Northampton angles of Mary's lively letters and unpublished artworks, which capture pensive gowned women, Norwegian slopes reflected in icy waters, saw-tooth rooflines on French chateaus, incense hazes in Italian chapels, and Connecticut River Valley pastures at sunset.

Copies of Kahn's book Forever Seeing New Beauties will be available for sale (hardcover, $35).
Sponsored by Seth Mias Catering
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 7 pm
Making Books on Main Street:
Publishers, Printers, Bookbinders and Booksellers in Northampton
A Presentation by Barbara B. Blumenthal
Picture
The Hampshire Bookshop operated in Northampton from 1916 to 1971 on Main Street near Crafts Avenue.
Image Courtesy of Smith College Special Collections
Historic Northampton trustee Barbara B. Blumenthal will tell the story of publishers, printers and binders in Northampton from the 18th century to the present.  She will concentrate on 18th-19th century bookseller Simeon Butler and his successors; The Hampshire Bookshop (in Northampton 1916-1971); and the ongoing legacy of book arts in the Connecticut River Valley.
Sponsored by Goggins Real Estate
Location
The Northampton Community Arts Trust Building 
33 Hawley Street, Northampton, Massachusetts

Admission
$5 members and donors | $10 all others
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | 4 to 5:30 pm
Exploring Northampton Series:
Mystery Amble & Sunset Exploration
Join Laurie Sanders, naturalist and co-director of Historic Northampton, on a walk to explore of one of her
favorite natural areas.
Join Laurie Sanders, naturalist and co-director of Historic Northampton, on a walk to explore of one of her favorite natural areas.  This mystery area has a direct and important tie-in to Northampton’s history.  Be prepared for uneven terrain, slippery conditions, off-trail exploring and (of course!) cold weather.

Sound like the kind of thing you’re interested in?  Then please sign up. Limited to 15.
Sponsored by Northeast Solar
Thursday, February 13, 2020 | 5 to 6 pm
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the "Making it on Main Street" Exhibit
with Elizabeth M. Sharpe, Exhibit Curator and Co-director of Historic Northampton
Picture
Bodice of a dress made by Mabelle Forrister Stearns
for her 1892 wedding to Edward John Gare.
What was left on the "cutting room floor?"  Join Elizabeth Sharpe, exhibit curator and co-director, for an inside look  at the development of Making it on Main Street. Learn about fascinating stories that did not make it into the exhibit, and discover hidden details of stories that did. Hear the back story about the challenge of selecting among hundreds of amazing artifacts and see some of those not included in the exhibit.  Have fun with the hands-on activities developed especially for the exhibit. Seating is available during the tour.
Sponsored by Northampton Rental Center
Friday, February 21, 2020 | 11 am to 12 noon
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the "Making it on Main Street" Exhibit
with Elizabeth M. Sharpe, Exhibit Curator and Co-director of Historic Northampton
Picture
Bodice of a dress made by Mabelle Forrister Stearns
for her 1892 wedding to Edward John Gare.
What was left on the "cutting room floor?"  Join Elizabeth Sharpe, curator and co-director, for an inside look at the development of Making it on Main Street.  Learn about fascinating stories that did not make it into the exhibit, and discover hidden details of stories that did. Hear the back story about the challenge of selecting among hundreds of amazing artifacts and see some of those not included in the exhibit.  Have fun with the hands-on activities developed especially for the exhibit. Seating is available during the tour.
Sponsored by Northampton Rental Center
Saturday, February 22, 2020 | 7 pm
Homegrown Harmony: Early American Music on Main Street
A Presentation by Tim Eriksen, Musician, Ethnomusicologist and Music Instructor
Picture
The Bridge Street Northampton print shop of Daniel and Andrew Wright was one of only three in New England to have moveable music type, a technology that made Northampton
a center for music publishing.
Northampton was home to some of the country’s earliest choral singing and to one of the most prolific music publishers in early New England. In fact, by the 1790s, the town had become a destination for local and regional composers and tunebook compilers. During the mid-nineteenth century, local senior citizens revived this sacred music of their youth in public performances known as “Old Folks' Concerts." Today, thanks to musician, ethnomusicologist and instructor Tim Eriksen, some of these remarkable songs by local composers are still sung in the “shape-note” tradition.

During his presentation, Eriksen will discuss early American music in Northampton and the enduring appeal of this local traditional music. And yes, singing will be included.
Sponsored by Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc.
Organ Builders: Restoration, Rebuilding & Maintenance