– The Amherst History Center –

Come explore Western Massachusetts history! The Amherst History Center, located at 45 Boltwood Walk is open Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and on Thursdays and Fridays, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and by appointment. The Amherst History Center features new exhibitions as well as highlights from our permanent collection, including Emily Dickinson’s dress.

From hands-on artifact preservation to storytelling sessions that bring the past to life, there is something for everyone at the Amherst History Center. Whether you are a history buff or just curious about the stories that shaped our community, we invite you to be part of our journey through time.

NOW ON VIEW: “Defending our Just Rights & Liberties: Amherst in the Revolution,” an exhibition that gives guests an opportunity to learn how the Revolutionary War played out in Amherst – directly from the voices of the residents who lived through it. Through primary source documents, the exhibit brings visitors on a journey from the declaration of independence in Amherst to the stirrings of revolution and eventual outbreak of war.

“Amherst Then & Now,” a collaboration with student photographers from Amherst Regional High School in celebration of the Historical Society’s founding 125 years ago, closed at the end of April. Hover over the historic photos to see the examples of the students poignant, artistic, and sometimes surprising take on contemporary Amherst, the place they call home.

 

Amherst Town Hall steps
Main Street by Amherst Books today
Inside pharmacy in Amherst today
Mountain Laurel painting by Mabel Loomis Todd

The Amherst Historical Society

Read about our mission, exhibits and community programming. We have an active intern program and we also provide educational tours for school children and students throughout the year.

Amherst House Hotel in 1865

'History Bites' Lecture Series

View recorded archives of our popular ongoing lunchtime lecture series, featuring a broad variety of noted speakers on our community’s history.

Upcoming Events

September 19, 2026

Encore presentation: common: a shared experience of the centerpiece of Amherst

common is live theatrical experience on the Amherst Town Common to mark the town common's place in history in the 250th year of the United States. Developed as a work for headphones and phones, users will scan a QR code prior to the start time to access the piece, then gather on the grassy south section of the common to wait for the experience to begin.  Note: this is an expansion of the program presented on July 18, 2026.
Inspired by the Common's history and the early works of Thornton Wilder, common offers participants an imaginative reorientation of the town common while building a communal experience for all.  Featuring a simple, web-based soundtrack that leads you through the piece, audience members will be able to pocket their devices for the entire piece after tapping "Begin" so that they can attend to the world around them.
This free, participatory event will require headphones and a connection to the internet while on the Amherst Town Common.  The program will be run 3 times: at 10:30, 11:15 and 12:00.  Information on how to access the program will be available at Amherst Historical Society’s Hands on History table at the Amherst Farmer’s Market that morning.  Length: ~25 minutes.  Appropriate for ages 12+. 
Created by John Bechtold with the support of Eggtooth Productions and originally produced by the Amherst Historical Society with support from the Amherst Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  Additional support from Amherst BID, Amherst Center Cultural District and MassHumanities

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September 21, 2026

Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon Part 1

The Amherst Historical Society will be co-hosting Part 1 of the Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon.  The Marathon is part of the Emily Dickinson Museum's annual Tell it Slant Poetry Festival, an event that celebrates Emily Dickinson’s poetic legacy and the contemporary creativity she and her work continues to inspire from the place she called home .  The Marathon is free but registration is required.  Follow the link below for more information Make sure to register for this free program in advance! Festival Registration: emilydickinsonmuseum.org/tell-it-slant-2026

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September 25, 2026

The Burial Grounds of Amherst Massachusetts throughout its History

This presentation by Robert Comeau will discuss the properties and history of the many burial sites used by the people of Amherst through the centuries.

Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk
Amherst, MA 01002 United States
+ Google Map
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October 04, 2026

Dickinson’s Ceaseless Sympathy: A Tour of West Cemetery

Explore Amherst’s historic West Cemetery through the lens of Emily Dickinson’s correspondence with guide Sarah Zureick-Brown, a trustee of the Amherst Historical Society and the creator of The Silent Sod. During this 75 minute tour, you’ll meet Dickinson’s local contemporaries to whom she expressed grief and solace in her letters, and you’ll also be introduced to some of Amherst’s other literary legends. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Location: Meet at 45 Boltwood Walk (Amherst History Center) Note: The distance covered will be roughly one mile with some uneven terrain. There is no seating available at the cemetery.

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October 09, 2026

Henry Knox — On the Knox Trail

Local media producer Jonathan Barkan will give a multi-media presentation on Henry Knox's efforts to bring the guns of Ticonderoga to aid General Washington in Boston.

Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk
Amherst, MA 01002 United States
+ Google Map
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October 18, 2026

Lower Mill River Factory Hollow Walking Tour

If you walk along the Mill River conservation trail in North Amherst today, you will see little to suggest that this small, shaded valley — situated roughly between Pine Street and Pulpit Hill Road — has changed much in the three centuries since Hadley farmers first moved into the area. But a glance at some of the old maps tells a different story: “Factory Hollow” was once the scene of intensive use of the River to power early industry in Amherst, ranging from grist mills to substantial textile and paper mills. In fact, the River — along nearly its entire Amherst course from Leverett in the north to Hadley in the west — powered some three dozen mills and factories, beginning at least as early as 1727 and continuing production well into the twentieth century. This tour, lead by Bryan Harvey, will cover the area downstream of Puffer’s Pond to the current Mill River Recreation Area, an area in which many textile and woodworking mills once stood, as well as grist and sawmills and even a candle wicking factory! He will also discuss the many changes in the River itself (in the form of dams, mill ponds, and canals) built support these industries, some still visible today. (Approximately 2 miles roundtrip.)  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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A glimpse into the Amherst History Museum’s permanent collection

Rudge High Wheel Cycle

Rudge High Wheel Cycle (Manufactured 1870-1888). High wheel cycles were popular with young, middle-class men of the late 19th century for their speed- the bigger the wheel, the faster the cycle could go. A high wheel of this size could reach a speed of nearly 30 mph! This particular cycle was a gift from Amherst mechanic Edward Thompson to his son Herbert in 1881. High wheels were considered hazardous to the health of their riders- both because their instability (even a small rock or bump could cause the rider to fly over the handlebars and suffer a ‘header’) and physicians worry that the jarring of the hard rubber tires on unpaved roads would damage male organs.

Mabel Loomis Todd embroidered dress

This unique late-19th century dress once belonged to Mabel Loomis Todd, and was donated to the Amherst Historical Society by her daughter. Purple velvet and old gold silk, with hand-embroidered pansies, created in 1890. Look at the detail on those flowers! Unfortunately, the dress is now too fragile to be displayed as it would have been worn.

Infant's Linen Cap

This fine linen infant cap is the oldest textile in our collection. The crown and side stripes are constructed of bobbin lace, a type of lace created by braiding and twisting thread held in place with pins set into a lace pillow. Take a look at the fine lacework- at the time, even the clothing of infants and small children often featured beautiful, delicate lacework. A piece of clothing like this would be passed down and reused over multiple generations of children.

Doll's Tea Set

Doll’s teaset (c. early 18th century, France). This porcelain doll’s teaset belonged to Sarah Dickerman Swift of New Haven, Connecticut. It was donated to the Amherst Historical Society in 1975 by her granddaughter, Helen Mitchell.

Paint Set

This 19th century paint set belonged to Mabel Loomis Todd, the woman responsible for editing and publishing the work of Emily Dickinson, as well as an artist and author in her own right. Todd authored books and articles, and travelled around the US on a professional lecture tour giving lectures on a wide range of topics, including Emily Dickinson, New England history, and astronomy. A prolific artist and writer, Todd continued creating and traveling until just shortly before her death. Mabel died in 1932 while camping in Maine..

conch shell

If you lived in what would become Amherst in the 18th century, this conch shell would have called you to the meetinghouse to worship. “Blowing the kunk,” as it was known, was an appointed job in the community, and the man responsible for blowing this kunk also swept out the meetinghouse and received for his troubles $3 a year.

miniature straw hat

This miniature straw hat (c. December 17th, 1907) was created by the Hills Hat Factory in Amherst, MA, as a show piece for display to prospective customers. It is marked with the initials of Fannie Marilla (Davis) Pierce.

Emily Dickinson's dress

This 19th century wrapper is the only surviving dress known to have been worn by Emily Dickinson. After her death, it was passed on to a cousin and later came to the collection of the Amherst Historical Society. Its design is typical for a house dress of the 1870s-1880s; it is almost entirely machine sewn, and was made sturdy to weather frequent washings.

old and new nails

An 18th century rosehead nail from the Simeon Strong House, displayed next to its modern counterpart. As explained by Steve DeWolf, carpenter who specializes in repairing Pioneer Valley historic homes, this nail would have been forged by hand, the head created by striking the metal bar when it was hot. It was pulled from the side of the Strong House during restoration work.