Agawam Historical Association

08/07/2026

The Agawam Historical Association is excited to welcome master stone carver and gravestone conservator Randall Nelson to the historic Thomas Smith House, 251 North West Street, Feeding Hills on Saturday, 12 September 2026, from 10 am until 2 pm.

Nelson has recently replicated badly deteriorated gravestones of Revolutionary War veterans to replace the original stones in Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, the Old Durham (Conn.) Cemetery, and Riverview Cemetery in East Haddam (Conn.).

He is currently carving a dedication marker for Agawam’s Liberty Tree, which the association dedicated earlier this Spring. Nelson will carve the last line of the marker on-site during the event and install the stone on the grounds upon completion. Visitors will witness Nelson’s carving firsthand and have the opportunity to speak directly with the artist.

Nelson Architectural Restoration specializes in the preservation of building facades, monuments, and statuary and has completed hundreds of decorative stone and terra cotta projects, repairing monuments and buildings in New England and across the country, including the brownstone Soldiers and Sailors Arch in Hartford’s Bushnell Park and the famous brownstone McClellan Gate at Arlington National Cemetery.

The ca. 1757 Thomas Smith House and 1920 Delmore Hawthorne Garage will be open for tours.

On display will be items to be included in a time capsule the association will seal later this year, not to be opened again for another century.

Visitors are encouraged to provide letters to future Agawam residents describing 21st century life for inclusion in the time capsule. Brochures and business cards from local businesses are also wanted.

New, hand-crafted Cats Meow Village keepsakes depicting the Thomas Smith House and the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum will also be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Agawam Historical Association.

This event is free and open to the public.

07/08/2026

“The Noble Train Arrives” at the historic Thomas Smith House, 251 North West Street, Feeding Hills, on Saturday, 1 August 2026, from noon-4pm.

During the winter of 1775-76, Henry Knox’s “Noble Train of Artillery” passed through several nearby towns en route from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.

There, the 59-pieces of captured British ordinance, hauled 300 miles over frozen rivers and snow-covered mountains by oxen and horse, played a crucial role in forcing the British evacuation of the city in the Spring of 1776.

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Knox’s remarkable achievement, this extraordinary feat will come to life on the grounds of the historic Thomas Smith House as costumed educators from Fort Ticonderoga, with (non-firing) cannon and live oxen, present engaging oratory and dramatic demonstrations.

This fascinating living history event is perfect for the whole family!

The c. 1757 Thomas Smith House and 1920 Delmore Hawthorne Garage will also be open for tours that afternoon.

This event is free and open to the public.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Agawam Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

07/02/2026

There’ll be a hot time (literally) at the historic Thomas Smith House on July Fourth as the Agawam Historical Association commemorates our nation’s semiquincentennial.

The 25th Continental Regiment and members of Green Valley Homestead will be presenting living history demonstrations – musket drills, flax spinning, tinsmithing, blacksmithing, and more – from 11am-3pm.

There will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon and a bell ringing at 2pm. (Please bring your own bell to join in - we want to be heard in the next county!)

We’ll have ice water and a jug of switchel available to quench your thirst, but with temperatures in the mid-90s forecast, we urge you to please bring your own water as well to stay hydrated!

US Semiquincentennial Observance
4 July 2026 | 11am-3pm
Thomas Smith House
251 North West Street
Feeding Hills, Massachusetts

06/26/2026

Bring a piece of Agawam history home with these custom-crafted wooden replicas of the Agawam Historical & Fire House Museum and Thomas Smith House from Personalized Gifts.

Each model features a full-color representation of each building’s facade, with historical information on the back.

They will be available for purchase at the Thomas Smith House during our July Fourth event or by contacting the Agawam Historical Association through our website.

Cost is $25 each. All proceeds benefit the Agawam Historical Association.

06/15/2026

Join us at the historic Thomas Smith House on Saturday, 4 July 2026 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm as the Agawam Historical Association commemorates the United States Semiquincentennial.

The Smith house, located at 251 North West Street, Feeding Hills, was built ca. 1757 and is one of the few surviving Agawam structures extant during America’s fight for independence.

Joining us on the Fourth will be members of the 25th Continental Regiment and Green Valley Homestead living history groups, who will model 18th century military and civilian life.

Musket drills, demonstrations of blacksmithing, open fire cooking, tinsmithing, basket weaving, flax spinning, and 18th century fashion and textiles will take place throughout the day.

Sheep, ducks, and rabbits will be present on the grounds, and younger visitors will be able to partake in 18th century children’s activities.

Other activities will include:

• An archeological dig on the grounds

• A display of artifacts marked for the association’s America250 time capsule. Visitors are encouraged to provide letters to future Agawam residents describing 21st century life for inclusion in the time capsule, which will be sealed later this year and not opened for another century.

• A public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Those wishing to read a portion of the Declaration of Independence should contact the association by email at [email protected] by 1 July.

• A community bell ringing at 2:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bell of any sort to join in.

This event is free and open to the public.

It is supported in part by a grant from the Agawam Cultural council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

#1776

06/12/2026

Support the preservation of Agawam’s Community House!

Always a well-attended event: