Talking History features monthly presentations

Staff Report

Published: 05-14-2023 5:00 PM

PETERSHAM — The communities surrounding the Quabbin Reservoir have remarkable histories and it is important that the stories of the region and memories be recalled and preserved for present and future generations.

To this end, the Petersham Historical Society (PHS) has initiated “Talking History Corner” at the Petersham Memorial Library. It is a time for anyone who would like to come by and “talk history” to drop in to share their interests. The first of these series of monthly gatherings will take place on Wednesday, May 17, between 5 and 7 p.m.

The first topic will be oral histories. Often people wonder how to share their memories, and oral histories can be one way to preserve memories of families and of communities.

Larry Buell, PHS Program Coordinator, will use a wide range of historic photographs and videos, so that attendees will be able to recall and share their own understandings and memories of events that happened in the Town of Petersham. The hurricane of 1938 and the tornado of 1953; major community events like Petersham Agricultural Fairs in the middle 1900s; and famous and infamous residents and guests like artist Dorothy Eaton and internationally known historian John Fiske will be presented. The informal and interactive conversations will be achieved through the Oral History Project of the “People’s History of Petersham,” a project to gather community voices.

Petersham Historical Society Vice President Barbara Hanno said, “I have lived in Petersham for a number of years and do know there are many amazing stories held by residents which must be told. I look forward to learning more history from those who lived it.”

Hanno will be on hand to present information on how to compose an oral history or to learn how to perform oral history interviews.

The program, co-sponsored by the Petersham Historical Society and the Petersham Memorial Library, is free and open to Petersham and friends from other communities. The library is located at 23 Common St., Petersham, near the Town Common.

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