Browse Exhibits (1 total)

Colonial Westfield

Lyman Letters-1.jpg

This collection covers Westfield's growth from its natural Native Indians settlement to its burgeoning industry at the beginning of the American Civil War. The collection has been organized into three sections (Military, Church & State, and Westfield Lives), although these sections overlap and intertwine. For example, Rev. Atwater and Rev. Ballentine's journals record some religious events, but largely focus on their agricultural endeavors, weather, and political events.

The materials shown here are a sample of the manuscripts and documents in the Athenaeum's Archives. A more complete directory can be found at westath.org/archives.

Visitors are encouraged to add comments, transcribe documents, and point us towards more complete or complimentary information. We would especially appreciate lesson plans that would bring our Westfield history alive to students.

If you have any questions, please contact the Reference Department at (413) 568-7833 x4 or by using our contact information at westath.org/contact-us)