Amherst Historical Society and Museum

History Begins at Home

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.

Tickets will become available soon!

Lighting of the Merry Maple Celebration 2018

As part of the Amherst-wide Lighting of the Merry Maple Festivities, on Friday November 30th, the Simeon Strong House will be hosting storytime with coloring and crafts for children of all ages from 4-7, with a visit from Santa from 6-7 for pictures!  This fun, family-friendly event is a perfect kick-off to the holiday season!

For a complete schedule of festivities Amherst-wide and more information on the whole Lighting of the Merry Maple event, click here.

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 closed for the 2020 season due to the coronavirus. You can find directions here.

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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