Amherst Historical Society and Museum

History Begins at Home

What’s New at the Amherst History Museum

New! – Thursday Evening Farmers’ Market

Visit the Museum on Thursday evenings, from 5 to 8 PM, from May through September, and see the new farmers’ market we are hosting on our front lawn. The offerings are constantly changing, and will expand as the season warms up. We have already hosted booths selling pottery, jewelry, coffee, and barbecued chicken.

 

Soap, Water, and Wool!
Inside the Simeon Strong House on view through November 2, we are pleased to present an exhibit wool felted artwork by Sally Dillon, Margaret Stancer and Florence Rosenstock. Landscapes, fish, fungi, vessels and a series of eyes show the variety of expressions available with imagination and the ability to manipulate Soap, Water & Wool.  Visit us and explore the fantastical world of felting!

Cleopatra: A Portrait in Music – Songs and Serenades

September 27th, 6:30-8:00pm

Since the opening performance of Giulio Cesare in 1724, it has remained one of the most celebrated of George Frideric Handel’s works, and one of the most widely-performed operas of the Baroque period. A story of betrayal, political intrigue, and love conquering evil, the opera imagines the story of Cleopatra dethroning her tyrannical brother through charming and winning the famed Julius Cesar to her cause.

Cleopatra: A Portrait in Music will feature a selection of Cleopatra’s arias from Giulio Cesare, showcasing the multi-layered queen in her moments of political cunning, heart-wrenching sorrow, and all-encompassing love. This Songs and Serenades event will star Libby Maxey, soprano and Graham Christian, piano with special guest Katherine Blaisdell. Standard tickets will be $15.00, Benefactor tickets $30.00.

MORE INFO AND TICKETS

 

Dressing Up, Dressing Down

Come explore our new exhibit, “Dressing Up: Women’s Fashion Through the Gilded Age” curated by Hampshire College thesis student Molly O’Donnell!  This exhibit examines the dichotomy of public/private presentation through an exploration of women’s ‘house’ and ‘street’ clothes throughout the 19th century!  This is your chance to see a beautifully curated collected of dresses from our clothing collection all on display at once, and learn about the evolution of women’s fashion in 19th century America.

 

About the Museum

Visit the Amherst History Museum, located at the Simeon Strong House, 67 Amity St., Amherst MA. We held our first exhibition in 1899, received our charter in 1903, and are celebrating over 100 years of the Society’s ownership of the c.1759 Simeon Strong House.

The Amherst History Museum is open Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment. You can find directions here.

READ MORE

Support Us


The Amherst History Museum accepts donations of any size at any time of the year. We hold our Annual Appeal in late November and renew all memberships in the Spring.

A gift to the Amherst History Museum, whether in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special accomplishment, is always a unique way to help the Amherst Community and recognize an extraordinary individual.

BECOME A MEMBER

Amherst A to Z

Want to know where Amherst’s Cold War bunker is located? Or where the “curragh” district of Amherst was? Or learn about a local factory that made “collapsing skirts!”

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.

BUY THE BOOK