Swampfield Historical Society: Town of Sunderland, MA

Swampfield Historical Society: Town of Sunderland, MA Swampfield Historical Society primarily posts artifacts from its collection as well as Sunderland-related items that are publicly available.

Our mission is to collect, preserve, and display historical artifacts, celebrating Sunderland's rich past through engaging exhibits, thought-provoking lectures, and interactive events that inspire people of all ages to explore and connect with history.

This postcard from the 1910s is of Graves Croft Inn on Bridge Lane (present day School Street). The building served as a...
09/03/2026

This postcard from the 1910s is of Graves Croft Inn on Bridge Lane (present day School Street). The building served as an Inn from 1910 until 1922 and was taken down to build the new school. John Long Graves, donor of the Graves Library, was born here.

Construction of the Grammar School on School Street (now the Town Offices) 1922. SWC Collection.
09/02/2026

Construction of the Grammar School on School Street (now the Town Offices) 1922. SWC Collection.

55 Falls Road was once the home of Monroe and Isabel Smith, co-founders of the youth hostelling movement in America. The...
09/02/2026

55 Falls Road was once the home of Monroe and Isabel Smith, co-founders of the youth hostelling movement in America. The movement established a series of places for young travelers to stay overnight in dormitory-style rooms for very low costs. In 1937 the house was donated to the Youth Hostel organization and run as a hostel until 1978 when it was converted back to a single-family home.

BROOM CORN UPDATE 2 - There’ll be 2 Whisk Broom Making WorkshopsThere was such a positive response to FAITH DEERING’S B...
08/31/2026

BROOM CORN UPDATE 2 - There’ll be 2 Whisk Broom Making Workshops

There was such a positive response to FAITH DEERING’S Broom Corn talk a couple of weekends ago that Swampfield Historical Society and the Sunderland Public Library have added a Whisk Broom Making Workshop.

Saturday, October 17 at 2 pm
Saturday, November 7 at 1 pm
Workshops limited to 8 participants.

Registrations will be handled by the Library and open mid-September. To receive notifications from the library, please sign up to receive their Monthly Events emails here. https://libraryaware.com/4390/Subscribers/Subscribe

BROOM CORN UPDATE 1 – We Have Broom Corn Drying!HUGE THANKS to MIKE at Warner Farms for growing this magnificent broom c...
08/31/2026

BROOM CORN UPDATE 1 – We Have Broom Corn Drying!

HUGE THANKS to MIKE at Warner Farms for growing this magnificent broom corn! We are so appreciative!

And HUGE THANKS to LIZ and WILL SILLIN for their sweat equity hauling 100 stalks from the field, preparing it, and hanging it!

What a job….and to think that during the mid-1800s this was being done throughout Sunderland...

We learned it takes time to dry and we’re hoping this crop will be ready for our broom making workshops this fall. If you’re growing broom corn, it’s time to start drying. (And check back for our posts about the workshops.)

Weekend Read...Barn Fires.From the Springfield Republican, 7/9/1922 and 8/7/1996.
08/29/2026

Weekend Read...
Barn Fires.

From the Springfield Republican, 7/9/1922 and 8/7/1996.

Now that's a Sunderland school bus! This postcard photo was taken on the Corner of North Main Street and what is now Sc...
08/28/2026

Now that's a Sunderland school bus!

This postcard photo was taken on the Corner of North Main Street and what is now School Street around 1900.

On Main Street.....This is 104 North Main Street, (style - Greek Revival). “Old Town House” This building was built c. 1...
08/28/2026

On Main Street.....

This is 104 North Main Street, (style - Greek Revival). “Old Town House”

This building was built c. 1825, used as a town hall, and was MOVED to its present location from South Main Street in 1836.

It was CONVERTED to a dwelling in 1849. One of its first occupants was Dr. Nathaniel G. Trow (pictured from Town History) who lived here for about 5 years after 1851. He was a medical doctor and surgeon and practiced in Sunderland for 20 years.

The building is Greek Revival in style, with columns in front, a popular style making reference to the columned public buildings of Ancient Greece, the first and much admired democracy.

Sunderland's first police cruiser.... 1972
08/27/2026

Sunderland's first police cruiser.... 1972

This is the "Sunderland Bank" at 108 North Main Street built c. 1825. The Bank was formed in 1825 when area farmers had...
08/25/2026

This is the "Sunderland Bank" at 108 North Main Street built c. 1825.

The Bank was formed in 1825 when area farmers had enough economic success to need a place to put their money. Bank founders were local residents Erastus Graves, who ran a general store, Nathaniel Smith, who owned a store dealing in lumber, farm goods, and produce, and Roswell Field, who put together $100,000.

In 1831 the bank moved to Amherst and the Sunderland Bank building was turned into a general store, run by James H. Taylor in 1832. A few years later, Samuel Dunlap took over the store and after 1938 it was converted to a dwelling and occupied by Henry J. Graves.

Undated black and white photo and color photo taken 8-24-26.

Address

109 North Main Street P. O. Box 31
Sunderland, MA
01375

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