Cowls in Amherst: A Founding Family’s Generational Contributions to Building Community 1741-2019
Because we expect a larger crowd than usual, this presentation will be held in the Woodbury Room at Jones Library.
In the latest of our History Bites Lunchtime Lecture series, on Friday, March 29th, at 12:15, local business owner Cinda Jones will present a talk on the history of the Cowls family and their generational contributions to Amherst. Cinda Jones is the 9th generation of her family to redevelop the Cowls Home Farm in North Amherst to meet the needs of its generation of community. In her presentation she will share photos and information about previous generations’ businesses on the site of what’s today the fast growing Mill District. From farming to agricultural processing; a trolley line and depot; sawmill and planing mill; and retail enterprises. She will also share information and archives about the building of the North Amherst Church and Library; town roads and infrastructure over the past 300 years.
History Bites is a series of thirty minute lectures to inform and entertain, covering various aspects of the history of Amherst and the lives of those who once lived here.
Bring your lunch, and we provide coffee, tea and cider for you as you listen to the presentations. The thirty-minute programs begin promptly at 12:15 with seating and beverages ready just before noon. The lectures are free and everyone is welcome to attend.
(Click here to see the complete schedule of Spring 2019 History Bites.)
It’s Official! Weights & Measures
Introducing our most recent addition to the collection: the official cabinet of weights and measures used by the Town of Amherst beginning about 1900.
Today, we are assured that a gallon is exactly that when we purchase gasoline–the pump bears the official seal of the State of Massachusetts. But in the past? How did you know a pound was a pound when purchasing produce or other goods? We are the pleased recipient of the official Weights & Measures used by the Town of Amherst beginning about 1900. The cabinet is approximately 6 feet across x 6 feet high x 2 feet deep–filled with scales, weights and liquid measures. Come visit this new treasure!
You can learn more from this story by Scott Merzbach in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Opportunities for Local Learning
On Wednesday, November 1st, second graders from the Common School visited the Jones Special Collections and the Amherst Historical Society!
This experience gave the hands-on experience into researching local history by exploring the collections of artifacts and primary documents. They examined straw hats, a wooden yoke, a wooden scythe and a wooden plane and practiced making inferences about the objects using what they had learned in class. Visits like these give kids a first-hand look at the history of their own town, tangible enough to reach out and touch, connecting the next generation with all the generations past.
Facilitating these key historical experiences is one of the most important missions of the Amherst Historical Society. If you’re interested in scheduling a visit for your classroom or other group, please get in touch with us! We would love to hear from you.
These are all entries under the letter “C” in the book Amherst A to Z, written by Elizabeth Sharpe. The book is illustrated with pictures of artifacts from the Amherst History Museum, historic images from the Jones Library’s Special Collections, as well as photographs of our town and the folks who live here.