As summer winds down, the Ashfield History Project reports two changes in its Editorial Board.
Kit Nylen, of Bug Hill, has joined the Board. She brings considerable experience and expertise in publishing, as well as involvement in a number of community organizations, including service as an elected member of the town’s Finance Committee.
Also, in late August, Alden Gray resigned from the Board, effective “immediately.” In his letter to the Select Board, Alden took the Board gently to task for a lack of progress and for the “autocracy” of its leadership, and noted that he had not been able to make the Project a priority in his own life at this time. Happily, however, he did promise to help whenever he could, from his position within the Historical Society.
Meanwhile, the work of the Project proceeds on a number of fronts. David Newell has agreed to work, with others, assembling data relating to the Town’s finances over the past half-century. The public-finance research team will trace the changing allocation of budget resources (proportions spent on roads, schools, town government, etc.), and movement in assessments and the tax rate, as well as other sources of income to the Town.
Another intriguing effort will look at changes in Ashfield’s climate over the pasty half-century. We were delighted to learn that Harriet Sears kept daily records of high, low and mean temperatures and rain-fall, beginning in 1960. Later Russ Fessenden took up that effort, and about ten years ago, the baton passed to Steve Sauter. As a result, we may be able to report the truth, whether convenient or not, about warming in our own neck of the woods. Steve reports that other nearby towns have maintained similar efforts, so we may have some good comparative data, as well.
Board member Grace Lesure has been working on a filing system for the Project’s body of materials. Her initial index will be ready when the Project moves into its new quarters in the basement of the Ashfield Historical Society, we hope sometime early this fall.
by Don Robinson
Friday, September 1, 2006
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Research Teams Organizing
The Editorial Board for the Ashfield History Project (preparing the third volume of the Town’s history, focusing on the half-century from 1960-2010) continues to organize research teams around particular topics.
Generally the impulse for topics comes from interested residents. The best example is the current effort to gather material about Apple Valley. It began with Lou Battalen’s suggestion that we study the neighborhood as a whole. In discussions with Lou, we realized that we need to establish the history of Bear Swamp Reservation. Martha Townsley was eager to contribute what she knows (which is a great deal about Apple Valley!), and Johanna Pratt was enthusiastic, too. So a team is organizing, and we are eager to identify others who would like to be part of this neighborhood effort.
Surely there are other neighborhoods (South Ashfield? Steady Lane? Baptist Corner?) where similar efforts could be organized. If you know of one, please contact a member of the Board. We will put you in touch with others.
Meanwhile, Eleanor Ward is burrowing through the vault at Town Hall to assemble a chronology of Town government.
And Don Robinson is eager to work with a team of volunteers to put together a record of voting and elections over the past half-century. How has turnout fluctuated? Who have we supported in national and state primaries and general elections? What trends can we discern? (Someone, for example, remembered a primary election in which there were exactly two Democratic votes.)
We’d love to have a team undertake a history of agriculture in Ashfield since 1960. There seems to be a renaissance going on now. What have been the ups and downs over the past half-century?
Let us know your ideas. We are eager to encourage and support a variety of research efforts.
by Don Robinson (for The Ashfield News)
Generally the impulse for topics comes from interested residents. The best example is the current effort to gather material about Apple Valley. It began with Lou Battalen’s suggestion that we study the neighborhood as a whole. In discussions with Lou, we realized that we need to establish the history of Bear Swamp Reservation. Martha Townsley was eager to contribute what she knows (which is a great deal about Apple Valley!), and Johanna Pratt was enthusiastic, too. So a team is organizing, and we are eager to identify others who would like to be part of this neighborhood effort.
Surely there are other neighborhoods (South Ashfield? Steady Lane? Baptist Corner?) where similar efforts could be organized. If you know of one, please contact a member of the Board. We will put you in touch with others.
Meanwhile, Eleanor Ward is burrowing through the vault at Town Hall to assemble a chronology of Town government.
And Don Robinson is eager to work with a team of volunteers to put together a record of voting and elections over the past half-century. How has turnout fluctuated? Who have we supported in national and state primaries and general elections? What trends can we discern? (Someone, for example, remembered a primary election in which there were exactly two Democratic votes.)
We’d love to have a team undertake a history of agriculture in Ashfield since 1960. There seems to be a renaissance going on now. What have been the ups and downs over the past half-century?
Let us know your ideas. We are eager to encourage and support a variety of research efforts.
by Don Robinson (for The Ashfield News)
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Building a Book AND a Permanent Archive
It’s our wish that the book containing the third history of Ashfield
will be richly illuminated by representations of people who took part
in the life of the town during the years covered in the book (1960 *
2010), as well as of places and mementos that spark our memories and
affections. In any case we invite everyone to look for what they have
received, created or saved, that represents significant events and
moments. We also ask that there be a special effort to start now to
capture such moments as they occur. Naturally finances will determine
how much illustration will make it into these pages but we wantto see as
much as we can. We are not only planning a book but want to build a
permanent tangible collection to be safely stored at the Ashfield
Historical Society for future generations. Where copies can be made of
things folks don’t want to relinquish altogether, we will try to do it.
Please don’t overlook photographs, drawings and paintings,
correspondence, diaries or other souvenirs.
We are about to embark on our first project. Lou Battalen of Apple
Valley and Librarian at the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls, has come
forward to begin doing research on his neighborhood. He is particularly
interested in the Bear Swamp Reservation, its history and natural
features. This is a rich and fascinating resource in town and, with the
weather being favorable during the next few months, it should be
appealing to plumb the depths of its riches now. There’s a need for
record keeping of all discoveries and observations, the combing through
records as well as finding people willing to share their memories in
one way or another.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
will be richly illuminated by representations of people who took part
in the life of the town during the years covered in the book (1960 *
2010), as well as of places and mementos that spark our memories and
affections. In any case we invite everyone to look for what they have
received, created or saved, that represents significant events and
moments. We also ask that there be a special effort to start now to
capture such moments as they occur. Naturally finances will determine
how much illustration will make it into these pages but we wantto see as
much as we can. We are not only planning a book but want to build a
permanent tangible collection to be safely stored at the Ashfield
Historical Society for future generations. Where copies can be made of
things folks don’t want to relinquish altogether, we will try to do it.
Please don’t overlook photographs, drawings and paintings,
correspondence, diaries or other souvenirs.
We are about to embark on our first project. Lou Battalen of Apple
Valley and Librarian at the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls, has come
forward to begin doing research on his neighborhood. He is particularly
interested in the Bear Swamp Reservation, its history and natural
features. This is a rich and fascinating resource in town and, with the
weather being favorable during the next few months, it should be
appealing to plumb the depths of its riches now. There’s a need for
record keeping of all discoveries and observations, the combing through
records as well as finding people willing to share their memories in
one way or another.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
Monday, May 1, 2006
Great Sources
The editorial board for Ashfield History Project has turned in recent meetings to the best possible source of information about the past fifty years: those who have lived here during that period.
We already have a treasure trove at our disposal. The Ashfield Historical Society has been conducting an oral history project for the past several years. Volunteers have interviewed about thirty people who have been at the center of Town life in recent decades.
We even have one interview on video-tape. Hannah Robertson, a precocious young woman, has learned how to use her video equipment to film such conversations. John Krasnoselsky is the star of her first effort for this project; Barbara Donielo Maloney was the interviewer.
John is an avid fisherman and hunter, and a keen observer of the comings and goings of turkeys, trout, moose and whip-poor-wills. Among other things, the tape preserves an invaluable record of a century of changes in the natural environment of Ashfield.
We are eager to expand this interviewing project. We invite suggestions about whom to interview, and we especially ask for volunteers who are willing to do some interviewing. It is a lot of fun to do these interviews with neighbors, and it preserves a priceless human record.
Please contact Phyllis Kirkpatrick, Don Robinson or any member of the editorial board if you are able to help with this project.
by Don Robinson (for The Ashfield News)
We already have a treasure trove at our disposal. The Ashfield Historical Society has been conducting an oral history project for the past several years. Volunteers have interviewed about thirty people who have been at the center of Town life in recent decades.
We even have one interview on video-tape. Hannah Robertson, a precocious young woman, has learned how to use her video equipment to film such conversations. John Krasnoselsky is the star of her first effort for this project; Barbara Donielo Maloney was the interviewer.
John is an avid fisherman and hunter, and a keen observer of the comings and goings of turkeys, trout, moose and whip-poor-wills. Among other things, the tape preserves an invaluable record of a century of changes in the natural environment of Ashfield.
We are eager to expand this interviewing project. We invite suggestions about whom to interview, and we especially ask for volunteers who are willing to do some interviewing. It is a lot of fun to do these interviews with neighbors, and it preserves a priceless human record.
Please contact Phyllis Kirkpatrick, Don Robinson or any member of the editorial board if you are able to help with this project.
by Don Robinson (for The Ashfield News)
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
History Project Needs Help
The project to write volume three of The History of Ashfield – this one to cover the half-century from 1960 to 2010 – is beginning to gather momentum.
The Editorial Board continues to meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Town Hall. We are grateful to the Select Board and to the Town Hall staff for their cordial hospitality and support.
We have received a most generous offer from the Ashfield Historical Society to set up headquarters for our editorial work in the basement of the Society’s building on Main Street. The Belding Library and Town Hall also kindly offered space, but we are inclined to begin with the space at the Historical Society. Stuart Harris will take charge of preparing it for our occupancy by late spring.
We will need help with this project: both volunteer labor and materials (boards, paint, wall covering and ceiling insulation, etc.) Anyone who is able to help or who has materials to donate should contact Stuart or another member of the Editorial Board: Phyllis Kirkpatrick, Don Robinson, Grace Lesure, Eleanor Ward, Alden Gray or Tom Carter.
We will also need office supplies: folders, pens, pencils, felt markers, paper clips, etc. Also, a three-hole punch, stapler, sticky notes, a calculator, envelopes…. You get the idea. Also filing cabinets. And flat files for 2’ x 3’ sheets and on up. And 30” x 72” tables.
Books these days cannot be produced without computers! We have the promise of two computers from Smith College, one primarily for word-processing, the other for data-processing and graphics. We will need tables to put them on, as well as a printer and a scanner. Anyone who can tell us where we might get them will be a certified local hero.
Our next step will be to organize our research. Stay tuned!
by Don Robinson
The Editorial Board continues to meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Town Hall. We are grateful to the Select Board and to the Town Hall staff for their cordial hospitality and support.
We have received a most generous offer from the Ashfield Historical Society to set up headquarters for our editorial work in the basement of the Society’s building on Main Street. The Belding Library and Town Hall also kindly offered space, but we are inclined to begin with the space at the Historical Society. Stuart Harris will take charge of preparing it for our occupancy by late spring.
We will need help with this project: both volunteer labor and materials (boards, paint, wall covering and ceiling insulation, etc.) Anyone who is able to help or who has materials to donate should contact Stuart or another member of the Editorial Board: Phyllis Kirkpatrick, Don Robinson, Grace Lesure, Eleanor Ward, Alden Gray or Tom Carter.
We will also need office supplies: folders, pens, pencils, felt markers, paper clips, etc. Also, a three-hole punch, stapler, sticky notes, a calculator, envelopes…. You get the idea. Also filing cabinets. And flat files for 2’ x 3’ sheets and on up. And 30” x 72” tables.
Books these days cannot be produced without computers! We have the promise of two computers from Smith College, one primarily for word-processing, the other for data-processing and graphics. We will need tables to put them on, as well as a printer and a scanner. Anyone who can tell us where we might get them will be a certified local hero.
Our next step will be to organize our research. Stay tuned!
by Don Robinson
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
First Meeting (from Ashfield News, Feb 2006)
Some in town may already be aware that in December the Select Board appointed a group of people to manage and oversee the research for and the writing and publication of a third history of the Town of Ashfield. Now it’s official; the newly dubbed Editorial Board of the Ashfield Town History, Vol.III met on January 7, and set up some preliminary rules and guidelines for moving forward.
The first Ashfield History chronicled the years between the founding of the town in 1742, and 1910. The second volume covered the half century from 1910 to 1960 and was published in 1965. The vision for the new book will encompass the next 50 years, ending in 2010 to be published, hopefully, in 2015, which will also mark the 250th anniversary of the town.
The idea took root last spring when a few people began to talk about doing another history. Soon an “exploratory” committee was formed under the leadership of Susan Todd to ascertain the feasibility of such a project. The committee identified and enumerated many of the resources – human and historical - and the procedures to guide them that would be necessary to fulfill this ambitious venture. A substantial packet of proposals on many topics was assembled and presented to the Select Board. It was very well received.
The new Editorial Board (largely drawn from members of the earlier Exploratory Committee) consists of Eleanor Ward, Stuart Harris, Alden Gray, Tom Carter and Grace Lesure with Don Robinson and Phyllis Kirkpatrick serving as co-chairs.
From the very beginning of discussions surrounding this undertaking, there has been a clear and unanimous objective that this book, in addition to being accurate and fair, will be truly inclusive, representing the lives and viewpoints of all our citizens. There are many ways for people to participate. The more involvement we can attain in this book, the richer it will be. Any commitment may be as large or small as is comfortable. The Board will keep the public informed about what there is to do and what help is needed.
Anyone having an idea about how he or she might contribute or who is interested in finding out more, should call Phyllis at 625-9328 or Don at 628-3361. Other members of the Editorial Board are available as well; their numbers are listed in the Ashfield phone book.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
The first Ashfield History chronicled the years between the founding of the town in 1742, and 1910. The second volume covered the half century from 1910 to 1960 and was published in 1965. The vision for the new book will encompass the next 50 years, ending in 2010 to be published, hopefully, in 2015, which will also mark the 250th anniversary of the town.
The idea took root last spring when a few people began to talk about doing another history. Soon an “exploratory” committee was formed under the leadership of Susan Todd to ascertain the feasibility of such a project. The committee identified and enumerated many of the resources – human and historical - and the procedures to guide them that would be necessary to fulfill this ambitious venture. A substantial packet of proposals on many topics was assembled and presented to the Select Board. It was very well received.
The new Editorial Board (largely drawn from members of the earlier Exploratory Committee) consists of Eleanor Ward, Stuart Harris, Alden Gray, Tom Carter and Grace Lesure with Don Robinson and Phyllis Kirkpatrick serving as co-chairs.
From the very beginning of discussions surrounding this undertaking, there has been a clear and unanimous objective that this book, in addition to being accurate and fair, will be truly inclusive, representing the lives and viewpoints of all our citizens. There are many ways for people to participate. The more involvement we can attain in this book, the richer it will be. Any commitment may be as large or small as is comfortable. The Board will keep the public informed about what there is to do and what help is needed.
Anyone having an idea about how he or she might contribute or who is interested in finding out more, should call Phyllis at 625-9328 or Don at 628-3361. Other members of the Editorial Board are available as well; their numbers are listed in the Ashfield phone book.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
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