Contents
Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Collection
Organization of the Collection
Search Terms
Series 1:GENERAL,
1889-1969
Series 2: HISTORIES, ca.
1860-1972
Series 3: ANNIVERSARIES, ca.
1909-1959
Series 4: COMMUNITY EVENTS, ca.
1875-1959
Series 5: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ca.
1840-1966
Series 6: SCHOOLS, ca.
1819-1971
Series 7: BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, ca.
1865-1984
Series 8: ASSOCIATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, ETC., ca.
1853-1986
Series 9: CHURCHES, ca.
1834-1968
Series 10: BUILDINGS,
1917-1938
Series 11: PERSONS,
1844-1956
Series 12: POPULATION - STATISTICS,
1956
Series 13: GEOLOGY,
n.d.
Series 14: TREES,
1892
Series 15: HURRICANE OF 1938
1938
Series 16: NEWSPAPERS,
1845-1972
Series 17: CLIPPINGS, ca.
1903-1969
Series 18: PHOTOGRAPHS
|
Town of Amherst Collection, ca. 1828 - present (bulk: 1920 - 1959)
Finding aid prepared by Graham Leach-Krouse, Margaret Jessup.
Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
© 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
Town of Amherst Collection |
|
Dates:
|
ca. 1828-present |
|
Dates:
|
1920-1959 |
|
Abstract:
|
Written histories of the town; local government records; records of schools, private organizations, and local businesses; personal papers; souvenirs and programs of community events; maps of the town; and a large number of newspaper clippings.
|
|
Extent:
|
2 records storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box(3 linear ft.) |
|
Language:
|
English. |
The Town of Amherst Collection contains materials dating from 1828 to the present, with the bulk of the material dated 1920-1959. The materials include: written histories of the town; local government records; records of schools, private organizations, and local businesses; and some personal papers. Also included are souvenirs and programs of community events, maps of the town, and a large number of newspaper clippings.
The most extensive group of records within the collection is "City Planning" (in the Local Government Series), consisting mostly of correspondence, minutes, and reports of the Town Planning Board and the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards (ca. 1920-1927). Town planning reports and maps from other towns have been kept with this group because of their connection to the Federation. (The Amherst Town Planning Board was also a member.)
Also of interest are the Amherst Historical Society records. These include correspondence between Mabel Loomis Todd and a Boston attorney regarding the founding of the Society. A number of photographs of the Strong House Museum, originally included, have been removed to the Photographic Images Collection.
The Histories Series includes three histories of Amherst and the Connecticut Valley, written by Alice M. Walker and printed in 1901 and 1903, as well as an Amherst College class paper that includes several oral histories of town residents.
In the Schools Series are materials relating to specific Amherst schools. The Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution, also known as Mt. Pleasant Institute, is well represented.
Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection is organized into eighteen series:
Most of the materials have been arranged into series by subject, then alphabetically within each series. Certain materials have been separated into their own series by type, such as Newspapers and Clippings.
Return to the Table of Contents
Series 1:GENERAL,
1889-1969
Series 1, GENERAL (1889-1969), contains materials that give an overview or description of the town, though not necessarily from a historical perspective. Included here are tourist brochures, maps of the town, and photographic images such as picture booklets and postcards. (Note: True photographs have been removed to the Photographic Images Collection.) Materials here are arranged alphabetically by type.
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 1 |
1-2c |
Guidebooks, brochures, etc.
1912-c.1960
|
|
4-5 |
Maps (See also: Map Case 3, Drawer 11)
1833, 1917-1918, 1953, 1963
|
|
6-7 |
Photographic images: "Amherst and Amherst College"booklet
1889-1890
|
|
8 |
Photographic images: "Views of Amherst, Mass." - booklet
c.1900
|
|
9 |
Photographic images - postcards
n.d.
|
|
9A |
Chronology of Events in the Development of the Town of Amherst, 1927-1974
1975
|
Series 2: HISTORIES, ca.
1860-1972
Series 2, HISTORIES (ca.1860-1972), contains written histories of Amherst and the Connecticut Valley by Alice M. Walker, printed in 1901 and 1903, as well as materials relating to the town's history (e.g., a chronology of the town). They are arranged alphabetically by type. (See also: Business Enterprises - Heritage Bank, "150 Years...", General - Guidebooks, brochures, etc., Clippings, Newspapers)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 1 |
10 |
Amherst College English 25 (Small Town Literature), "Amherst" - class project (includes oral histories)
1972
|
|
11 |
Chronology (1727-1898)
1911
|
|
12 |
Description of Amherst
c.1860-1870
|
|
13 |
"Historic Amherst" - booklet
n.d.
|
|
13a |
"Historical Landmarks Near Amherst" by Fredrick Houk Law
n.d.
|
|
14 |
Leave the light burning, a history of South Amherst by W.H. Atkins (1871-1952) - flier
n.d.
|
|
14a |
"The Spring Street Area of Amherst: A Local History Study" by Ed Wilfert; %unitdate%=2007-2008
|
|
15 |
Walker, Alice M., Early days in the Connecticut Valley
1901
|
|
16 |
Walker, Alice M., Ye Amherst girl of ye olden time
1901
|
|
17 |
Walker, Alice M., Through Turkey Pass to Amherst and beyond
1903
|
Series 3: ANNIVERSARIES, ca.
1909-1959
Series 3, ANNIVERSARIES (ca.1909-1959), contains materials relating to the Bicentennial of Amherst, the Tercentenaries of Amherst and Massachusetts, and Independence Day celebrations. It includes programs, fliers, and correspondence of the planning committees. The material is arranged alphabetically by name of event. (See also: Newspapers - Anniversary editions, Community Events, Clippings - Anniversaries)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 1 |
18 |
Bicentennial Celebration -brochures, programs, etc.
1959
|
|
19 |
Bicentennial Celebration - correspondence
1958-1959
|
|
20 |
Independence Day
1915, 1918
|
|
21 |
Tercentenary of Amherst - program
1909
|
|
22 |
Tercentenary of Massachusetts Celebration
1930
|
Series 4: COMMUNITY EVENTS, ca.
1875-1959
Series 4, COMMUNITY EVENTS (ca.1875-1959), includes programs, fliers, and ticket stubs for concerts, lectures, festivals, and Old Home Week activities. These are arranged alphabetically by name of event. (See also: Anniversaries, Clippings - Community Events)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 1 |
23 |
A.C.C. 3rd Annual Meet
1897
|
|
24 |
Amherst Arts Festival
1943
|
|
25 |
"Amherst Christmas Mystery"
1916
|
|
26 |
Amherst Community Chest Drive
1954, 1958-1959
|
|
27 |
Amherst Community Sing (Fourth of July)
1918
|
|
28 |
Columbus Memorial
1892
|
|
29 |
Goessman School Concert Series (ticket stub)
n.d.
|
|
31 |
Unsorted - programs, fliers, ticket stubs, etc.
1875, 1891-1892
|
Series 5: LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ca.
1840-1966
Series 5, LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ca.1840-1966), is divided into several categories, the largest titled "City Planning" Other groups in this series are Town Reports, Elections, Town Employees, Town Relations with Local Colleges (a report), and General Information. The subseries are arranged alphabetically. (See also: Clippings - Local Government)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 1 |
32 |
Brochures, pamphlets, etc.
1947-1959
|
|
33 |
City Planning - Amherst Water Committee - report
1935
|
|
34 |
City Planning - general correspondence
1901, 1906
|
|
35 |
City Planning - Real Estate - index to property owners
1963-1964
|
|
36 |
City Planning - Real Estate - comparative valuation lists
1963-1964
|
|
37 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - correspondence
1922-1924
|
|
38 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - correspondence
ca.1924-1926
|
|
39 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - correspondence
1927
|
|
40 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - minutes of meetings
1915-1924
|
|
41 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards (M.F.P.B.) - publications
1921-1926
|
|
42 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - publications
ca.1926
|
|
43 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - publications (Dept. of Public Welfare, Division of House and Town Planning)
1922, 1960
|
|
44 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - other towns - maps
|
|
45 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - other towns: Attleboro-Dedham - reports
1922-1966
|
|
46 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - other towns: Framingham-North Adams - reports
1923-1926
|
|
47 |
City Planning - Town Planning Board - M.F.P.B. - other towns: Quincy-Winchester - reports
1924-1926
|
|
48 |
City Planning - Zoning By-laws - correspondence and reports
1922-1924
|
|
49 |
City Planning - Zoning By-laws - correspondence and reports
1926-1927
|
|
50 |
City Planning - Zoning By-laws - general information
1958
|
|
51 |
City Planning - Zoning By-laws - League of Women Voters - flier
n.d.
|
|
52 |
Elections - political badges
1840
|
|
54 |
Town relations with local colleges - report
1959
|
|
55 |
Town employees - salaries, by-laws
1954, n.d.
|
|
57 |
Town Report (Bicentennial year)
1959
|
Series 6: SCHOOLS, ca.
1819-1971
Series 6, SCHOOLS (ca.1819-1971), is also divided into categories, including Buildings (plans, correspondence, and reports relating to the construction of new school buildings), Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, individual Schools (including local colleges), and Chinese students. The categories are arranged alphabetically. (See also: Clippings - Schools, Newspapers - Amherst Record 10/7/1970 and Daily Hampshire Gazette n.d. - "Hampshire College Edition" for information on Hampshire College)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
1 |
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District - fliers, brochures
1915, 1953, 1971
|
|
2 |
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District - Report of the School Committee
1959
|
|
3 |
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District - correspondence re: Grade School
1926
|
|
4 |
Buildings - correspondence
1916
|
|
5 |
Buildings - report, brochure
1944, 1949
|
|
6 |
Buildings - map (plan for Amherst Regional High School)
n.d.
|
|
7 |
Chinese Students in Amherst - correspondence, clippings
1841, 1847, 1903, 1915
|
|
8 |
Alcott School - "Statement of Facts"
n.d.
|
|
9 |
Amherst Academy - "Amherst Academy", by Sarah A. Stackpole (in Thesis Collection) and Memorabilia
1984
|
|
10 |
Amherst Female Seminary - catalogue
1835
|
|
11 |
Amherst Female Seminary excerpt from letter
1835
|
|
12 |
Amherst High School - graduation programs
1887, 1891
|
|
13 |
Amoena Hall - brochure
[1870]
|
|
14 |
Andover Theological Seminary - catalogs
1831, 1845
|
|
15 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution (also known as Mt. Pleasant Institute and Mt. Pleasant Academy) - catalogs
1828
|
|
16 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - catalogs, etc.
1829-1831
|
|
17 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - brochures, exam schedule
1846-1847, 1857
|
|
18 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - catalogs
1890-1892
|
|
19 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - brochures
n.d.
|
|
20 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - correspondence
1831
|
|
21 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - drawings
1827, n.d.
|
|
22 |
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institution - articles, excerpts from
1896, 1927, 1958, 1969
|
|
23 |
Oak Grove - brochure
n.d.
|
|
24 |
Scripture catechism
1819
|
|
25 |
University of Massachusetts (formerly Massachusetts State College) - addresses
1898, 1907
|
|
26 |
University of Massachusetts - histories, etc.
1932, 1936
|
|
27 |
University of Massachusetts - University of Massachusetts Press - book list
1966-1967
|
Series 7: BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, ca.
1865-1984
Series 7, BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (ca.1865-1984), contains materials arranged alphabetically by name of business. (Note: Records of the Lord Jeffery Inn have been removed to the Buildings and Grounds Collection.) (See also: Clippings - Business Enterprises)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
28 |
Amherst Savings Bank - brochure
1968
|
|
29 |
Amherst & Sunderland Railway Co.
|
|
30 |
Dentist, J.J. Vincent - appointment card
ca.1870
|
|
31 |
Douglass Funeral Service - brochure
n.d.
|
|
32 |
Grange Grocery Store - brochure
1927
|
|
33 |
Heritage Bank, "150 Years...1834-1984" booklet
1984
|
|
34 |
"Industry in Massachusetts" - statistics
1865
|
|
35 |
The Geoffery Amherst Bookstore -correspondence, article
1922-1923
|
|
36 |
Lord Jeffery Inn/Amherst Inn Co. (removed to Buildings and Grounds Collection)
ca.1910-1950
|
|
37 |
"The Minds of Hands", by Stephen A. Aron (in Thesis Collection)
1982
|
|
38 |
Orr, Samuel K., Druggist & Apothecary - advertisement
n.d.
|
|
39 |
Railroads (Palmer to Montague) - correspondence
n.d.
|
|
40 |
Railroads - Amherst & Belchertown R.R. Co. - stockholders' receipts
n.d.
|
|
41 |
Railroads - Amherst and Sunderland Railway Co. - schedule
n.d.
|
|
42 |
Business advertisements - unsorted
n.d.
|
Series 8: ASSOCIATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, ETC., ca.
1853-1986
Series 8, ASSOCIATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, ETC. (ca.1853-1986), is arranged alphabetically by name of association or institution. (See also: Clippings - Associations,...)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
43 |
Amherst Historical Society - correspondence (Mabel Loomis Todd)
1903
|
|
44 |
Amherst Historical Society - correspondence
1950-1965
|
|
45 |
Amherst Historical Society - n.d. unsorted materials
1929-1959
|
|
46 |
Amherst Home for Aged Women -report
1928
|
|
47 |
Amherst Musical Society - program
1942
|
|
48 |
Amherst Human Relations Council, Inc. - newsletter
1969
|
|
49 |
"The Amherst Town Band of 1873-1877 and the Amherst Brass Band of 1901", by Benjamin J. Jaffe - paper
1986
|
|
50 |
Boys' Club - newsletter
1938
|
|
51 |
Boys' Club - list of members
n.d.
|
|
52 |
Glee Club - programs
1888
|
|
53 |
Hampshire Agricultural Society - exhibition flier
1853
|
|
54 |
Jones Library - unsorted brochures, reports, fliers, postcards
1927-1928
|
|
55 |
Masons - 110th Anniversary program
1911
|
|
56 |
Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association - list of members
1959-1960
|
|
57 |
Tuesday Club - program
1917-1918
|
|
58 |
Wildwood Cemetery - brochure
1904
|
|
59 |
Y.M.C.A. - weekly program
n.d.
|
|
59A |
First Baptist Church Centennial
1932
|
Series 9: CHURCHES, ca.
1834-1968
Series 9, CHURCHES (ca.1834-1968), is arranged alphabetically by church. (See also: Clippings - Churches)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
60 |
First Congregational Church - 200th Anniversary program
1939
|
|
61 |
First Parish Church - "Articles of Faith"
1834, n.d.
|
|
62 |
First Parish Church - deed for a pew
1859
|
|
63 |
Grace Church - announcements, fliers, etc.
1872, 1939, 1941-1942, n.d.
|
|
64 |
Grace Church - correspondence
1937-1945
|
|
65 |
Grace Church - newsletters, etc.
1945
|
|
66 |
Grace Church - "Two Sermons"
1868
|
|
66A |
Grace Church - "A Study of the Church's Relationship to the Campuses in the Amherst Area," by Rev. James H. Clark
1970
|
|
67 |
Grace Church - weekly calendars
1936-1951
|
|
68 |
Hope Church (formerly Zion Chapel) - correspondence
1895-1912
|
|
69 |
North Congregational Church - 50th Anniversary address
1876
|
|
70 |
North Congregational Church - The Story of a New England Country Church, by Alice M. Walker
1901
|
|
71 |
Second Congregational Church - manual
1924
|
Series 10: BUILDINGS,
1917-1938
Series 10, BUILDINGS (1917-1938), contains materials are arranged alphabetically by name of building or establishment. This series also includes Amherst Street Lists from 1937 and 1938. (Note: For more information on local business buildings, See BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. For school buildings and churches, See SCHOOLS or CHURCHES.) (See also: Clippings - Buildings)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
72 |
Dana House - photographic image
1917
|
|
73 |
Dickinson-Baggs Tavern - article
1928
|
Series 11: PERSONS,
1844-1956
Series 11, PERSONS (1844-1956), includes personal papers and other information relating to individuals in Amherst. This series is arranged alphabetically by name. (See also: Clippings - Persons)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
76 |
Baker, Osmyn - letter
1844
|
|
77 |
Clark, William S. - "His work lives in trees" - article in Horticulture, pp. 168-171.
1956
|
|
78 |
Dickinson, W.A. and John - correspondence
1844-1889
|
Series 12: POPULATION - STATISTICS,
1956
Series 12, POPULATION - STATISTICS (1956), consists of a town report, showing the growth of the Amherst population between the years 1765 and 1950. (See also: Clippings - Population)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
79 |
Statistics - population growth (1765-1950)
1956
|
Series 13: GEOLOGY,
n.d.
Series 13, GEOLOGY (n.d.), is an anonymous written history of the geology of the area.
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
80 |
"Geology of Amherst" - pamphlet
n.d.
|
Series 14: TREES,
1892
Series 14, TREES (1892), is a single booklet on notable trees in Amherst. (See also: Clippings - Trees, Persons - Clark, William S.)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
81 |
Amherst trees, by James Ellis Humphrey
1892
|
Series 15: HURRICANE OF 1938
1938
Series 15, HURRICANE OF 1938, contains a report on the hurricane of 1938 (published by the Western Massachusetts [utilities] Companies) and a pictorial history of damage caused by the hurricane. (See also: Newspapers - Amherst Record Sept. 28, 1938)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
82 |
Flood-Hurricane: September 1938, published by Western Massachusetts Companies - booklet
1938
|
|
83 |
In the wake of the hurricane: 1938, Amherst, Ma. - photographic images
1938
|
|
84 |
"Amherst Newspapers" - list
n.d.
|
Series 16: NEWSPAPERS,
1845-1972
Series 16, NEWSPAPERS (1845-1972), contains souvenir editions of the Amherst Journal Record from the Bicentennial year (1959) and other special editions of local papers. There is also a list of Amherst newspapers that have existed over the years. They are arranged alphabetically, then chronologically. (Note:All newspapers have been removed to Oversized Box O1)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| O1 |
1 |
Amherst Journal Record 6/29/51 - 1879 fire
1951
|
|
2 |
Amherst Journal Record 10/15/59 -Bicentennial celebration
1959
|
|
3-4 |
Amherst Journal Record 10/22/59 -10/29/59 - bicentennial souvenir editions
1959
|
|
5 |
Amherst Journal Record 4/11/63 - "special supplement for the House of Walsh"
1963
|
|
6 |
Amherst Journal Record 5/12/63 - Centennial celebration of the University of Massachusetts
1963
|
|
7 |
Amherst Record 3/2/27 - article on school buildings
1927
|
|
8 |
Amherst Record 9/28/38 - Hurricane
1938
|
|
9 |
Amherst Record 10/29/69 - 125th Anniversary edition, pt. 1
1969
|
|
10 |
Amherst Record 11/5/69 - 125th Anniversary edition, pt. 2
1969
|
|
11 |
Amherst Record 10/7/70 - opening of Hampshire College
1970
|
|
12 |
Amherst Record 5/14/1972 - "Town of Amherst Day" (150th Anniversary of Amherst College)
1973
|
|
13 |
Daily Hampshire Gazette - "Hampshire College edition"
n.d.
|
|
14 |
Hampshire Franklin Express 4/18/1845
1845
|
|
15 |
Northampton Courier 8/5/1858 - "extra" (announcement about telegraph cable recently laid)
1858
|
|
16 |
Springfield Newspapers (Union, Republican, Daily News) 8/25/55 - "Special Flood edition"
1955
|
|
17 |
Springfield Republican 11/28/1873
1873
|
Series 17: CLIPPINGS, ca.
1903-1969
Series 17, CLIPPINGS (ca.1903-1969), is partially sorted by subject. The clippings are arranged under headings corresponding to the preceding series headings (e.g., clippings about the Bicentennial celebration are filed under CLIPPINGS - ANNIVERSARIES). Unsorted clippings relate mostly to Amherst's history and buildings.
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
85 |
General - maps
1967
|
|
87 |
Anniversaries - Bicentennial
1959
|
|
88 |
Community Events - Community Chest Drive
1935-1939
|
|
89 |
Community Events - film, "Silent Night, Lonely Night"
1968-1969
|
|
90 |
Community Events - Old Home Week
1903
|
|
91 |
Community Events - Western Mass. Spring Music Festival
1939
|
|
92 |
Local Government - City Planning
1958
|
|
93 |
Local Government - City Planning - Amherst Water Committee
1937
|
|
95 |
Schools - Mount Pleasant Classical Institute
1926-1927, 1951, 1965, 1967
|
|
96 |
Schools - University of Massachusetts
1940, 1963-67
|
|
97 |
Business Enterprises
1962,1964, 1966
|
|
98 |
Business Enterprises - Railroad
1944, 1951
|
|
99 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. - Amherst Community Concert Association
1941
|
|
100 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. - Amherst Historical Society - unsorted
|
|
101 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. -Amherst Historical Society Strong House
1916, 1950, 1967-
|
|
102 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. - The Boys' Club
1938
|
|
103 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. - Jones Library - unsorted
|
|
104 |
Associations, Institutions, etc. - Nature Club
1969
|
|
106 |
Churches - Baptist Church
|
|
107 |
Churches - Dwight Chapel (Pelham)
|
|
108 |
Churches - Grace Church
|
|
109 |
Churches - Hope Church (Zion Chapel)
|
|
110 |
Churches - North Congregational
|
|
111 |
Churches - Second Congregational
|
|
114 |
Population - statistics, minorities
1965
|
Series 18: PHOTOGRAPHS
Series 18, PHOTOGRAPHS, contains a list of all of the photographs, which have been cross-referenced and removed to the Photographic Images Collection. (For other images of Amherst, see: General - Photographic Images)
Box
|
Folder
|
|
| 2 |
117 |
List of photographs removed
|
|