Upcoming Programs
Northampton Night Fest
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 8 to 9:30 pm
On the Grounds of Historic Northampton and the Bridge Street Cemetery
As night falls, join us for a gathering on the grounds of Historic Northampton to celebrate International Dark Sky Week. We will also take a short stroll—in darkness--through nearby Bridge Street Cemetery to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the dark night-time environment.
Special guests include:
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Rain or shine. In case of rain, the event will take place in the Shepherd Barn, 66 Bridge Street.
Free. No registration required.
Coordinated by Northampton City Lights in partnership with Historic Northampton.
Free. No registration required.
Coordinated by Northampton City Lights in partnership with Historic Northampton.
Behind the Seams: Noticing Lives in the Details of Old Clothes
A Public Talk by Kiki Smith
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 4:30 pm
Neilson Library Browsing Room, Smith College
A hybrid event - in-person and online.
To attend virtually, register here.
A hybrid event - in-person and online.
To attend virtually, register here.
Smith College Professor of Theatre Kiki Smith will discuss her work developing, preserving, and teaching with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection, which includes over 4,000 items from the early 1800s to the present. Smith’s recent book, Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore, provides insights into women's lives and their evolving roles at home and in the workplace. Introduction by fashion historian Lynne Zacek Bassett.
A book signing & reception will follow the talk. Copies of Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore
will be available for sale
Presented by the Friends of the Smith College Libraries Oculus Society,
in partnership with Historic Northampton.
Master Slave Husband Wife:
An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom
An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom
A Conversation with Author Ilyon Woo & Clothing Historian Lynne Zacek Bassett
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 6:30 pm
In person at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main Street, Northampton, MA
and as a virtual event on Zoom
and as a virtual event on Zoom
Master Slave Husband Wife
(Simon & Schuster) 2023 |
The story of Ellen and William Craft’s dramatic escape from slavery in 1848 is the subject of Ilyon Woo’s new book.
On their journey, Ellen Craft disguised herself as a wealthy, disabled, male planter, while William Craft played the role of her slave. To ensure accuracy, Dr. Woo worked with clothing historian Lynne Zacek Bassett about the particulars of what the couple wore. Together they will discuss the significance of clothing to the Crafts’ successful self-emancipation. Examples from the Historic Northampton collection of the types of clothing that they wore will be on display. Dr. Woo will also read from the book. The program will be introduced and moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Pryor, Associate Professor of History at Smith College. Learn More |
Please Note:
The in-person event is filled to capacity |
Week of the Young Child: Special Hours for Families with Young Children
Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 2:30 pm
Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge Street
Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge Street
Join historian Emma John for a special family-friendly tour in our main gallery about the history of Main Street. It will be followed by open-ended play with hands-on activities--from making your own downtown to museum treasure hunts.
Week of the Young Child is being coordinated by the City of Northampton's Early Childhood Center. Free, donations welcome. No registration required. |
Drawing on Fashion
A Workshop with Artist Betsy Stone
A Workshop with Artist Betsy Stone
Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 2 to 4 pm
In-person at Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
In this special drawing workshop, participants will sketch clothes from Historic Northampton’s collection that were featured in the April 9, 2024 presentation Master Slave Husband Wife, with author Ilyon Woo and fashion historian Lynne Zacek Bassett. The clothes on display are similar to those worn by Ellen and William Craft when they made their daring escape to freedom, with Ellen disguising herself as wealthy male planter and William playing the role of her enslaved person.
Artist Betsy Stone will offer guidance on rendering details like a garment’s drape, fold, and form. Charcoal, paper, and pencil will be provided. Ages 14+. All levels of experience welcome. Admission Fee: $15 Registration is required. Limited to 12. |
Northampton's Bridge Street Cemetery: Rediscovering Literary Legacies
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Main gate of the Bridge Street Cemetery
Parsons Street, Northampton Historic Northampton historian Emma John will give a tour of the Bridge Street Cemetery that highlights some of the authors buried there and their literary contributions.
Parking is available at Bridge Street School. Free. No registration required. In partnership with the Massachusetts Center for the Book’s Literary Walk. |
Timber Frame Workshop:
Build a Garden Shed with Expert Timber Framer Alicia Spence
Build a Garden Shed with Expert Timber Framer Alicia Spence
Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21, 2024 | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday, April 27-28, 2024 | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Timber Framer Alicia Spence and volunteers to build a new garden shed for the Bridge Street School Sprouts.
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During April, Historic Northampton will build a larger garden shed using traditional timber frame joinery to store the Bridge Street School Sprouts gardening program equipment (shovels, rakes, gardening gloves, wheelbarrows). Expert timber framer Alicia Spence will teach volunteers the craft of timber framing, the use of hand and power tools, and how to cut and pre-fit the timber frame.
Apply to be a part of the crew by April 2 by following the link: Timber Frame Workshop Application. Applications will be viewed in the order received, and you will be notified by April 8. Crew size is limited to 6 people each weekend. Workshops are free. Lunch will be provided. Learn More and Apply |
Dancing Your Age - A Live Performance
Sunday, May 5, 2024 | 12 noon to 2 pm
Shepherd Barn at Historic Northampton, 66 Bridge Street, Northampton
Dance Artist Andrea Olsen
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Dancing Your Age is a group performance that explores the lives of six dancers and the world-music of percussionist Tony Vacca. Each dancer draws on their own embodied memories and kinesthetic imagination to explore all the years of their lives through movement. Performances are individual, held within the rhythms of Tony Vacca's music, and accompanied by the other dancers: Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Sarah Lass, Maya LaLiberté, Cameron McKinney, and Andrea Olsen.
Welcome and introductory remarks by Historic Northampton's co-directors Laurie Sanders and Elizabeth M. Sharpe, with a Q & A to follow. Dancing your Age, developed by dance artist Andrea Olsen, is taking place at dance sites around the globe from 2023-25. Sliding Scale Admission: $10 - $25
Reserve your place
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In partnership with A.P.E@33 Hawley.
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