Learn Locally: Explore Your Interests via Community-Based Resources

Interested in learning a domestic art skill to share and exhibit at next year’s agricultural fairs?  Explore and engage in community resources to support your interests and education, and get ready for next year while expanding your interests and learning new skills!

Local Libraries

Look for books on knitting, quilting, sewing, gardening, farming, canned goods and different heritage recipes to try at home. Some libraries offer free intergenerational knitting groups and workshops too!

Local Museums

Old Sturbridge Village, Historic Deerfield, and Hancock Shaker Village all are living history museums that explore the domestic arts and agricultural production of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Local Historical Societies

Local historical societies are gems when it comes to exploring local history at a detailed level!  The primary source objects and archives they have are truly unique in that they represent the everyday life of the people who lived in the town throughout the centuries – you won’t find these special collections anywhere else! Many Hilltown historical society museums are open seasonally, with September and early October offering an ideal time to visit those that remain open through the autumn.

Here are a handful of societies to visit online: to find out about fall open hours and events:

• Buckland Historical Society Museum
• Ashfield Historical Society Museum
• Plainfield Historical Society’s Shaw Hudson House
• Cummington Historical Society’s Kingman Tavern
• Worthington Historical Society