Living in History: the Pioneer Valley

We live in an area that is rich in history: the creation of the Connecticut River Valley through the breakup of the super-continent Pangea during the Mesozoic Era; the dinosaurs that roamed the area; the life of early indigenous residents; the struggles of early European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries who created our towns; 19th-century industrialization and the advent of mill towns; and the area’s role in abolition. These are just some of the milestones impacting the development of the region where we live.

We cannot go anywhere in the area without seeing reminders of this rich history. But many of the stories of what transpired here are being forgotten. This seminar will offer the opportunity to learn about our communities and the people and events that shaped them. Some examples of topics are the Pocumtuck people, the Quabbin Reservoir, Calvin Coolidge, Sojourner Truth, and the silk industry of Florence.