The Railroad through Shelburne Falls

When the Troy and Greenfield Railroad came to Shelburne Falls in 1867, lives and businesses in Colrain were forever changed. Colrain native and railroad historian Carl Byron will tell that story at a meeting of the Colrain Historical Society on Thursday, August 11. This presentation continues the series of 2016 programs looking at the history of transportation in Colrain, from the earliest days until the coming of the trolley in 1896.

Shelburne Falls station of the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, 1928.
Photo source: HoosacTunnel.net.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain. It begins at 7:30 p.m., following a business meeting at 7:00.

A potluck picnic supper at 6:00 will precede the meeting. Those planning to attend the potluck should bring your own place settings, a main course, salad or dessert to share. Iced tea will be provided.

For more information call Belden at 624-3453.

Thursday, August 11, 2016
6:00 pm Potluck picnic supper
7:00 pm Business meeting
7:30 pm Program:  "The Railroad through Shelburne Falls"
Where: Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain

Colrain's Inns and Taverns

Located near Colrain's meetinghouses, crossroads, and stagecoach routes, inns and taverns have flourished throughout the town’s history, providing patrons with news, drink, food and lodging. Colrain native Brad Brigham will offer a peek inside each of these vital, public houses at the next program of the Colrain Historical Society on Thursday, July 14.

The Colrain Hotel and its renowned host, "General" Orrin Gaines.
Photo and caption source: A History of Colrain, Mass. by Lois McClellan Patrie.

The event, which continues a season-long focus on transportation in Colrain, will be held in the Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain. The program begins at 7:30 p.m., following a business meeting at 7:00. It’s free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information call Belden at 624-3453.

Thursday, July 14, 2016
7:00 pm Business meeting
7:30 pm Program:  "Colrain's Inns and Taverns"
Where: Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain

Catamount Hill Hike Saturday, June 18

Catamount Hill Association will conduct a hike on Saturday, June 18, 2016,  to the monument and flagpole at the site on Catamount of the first flag-raising over an American schoolhouse.

Hike time and meeting location, as well as more information about the hike are posted on the Upcoming Events page on the Catamount Hill Association website.

Cheapside: Port of Call for Colrain Goods

Cheapside mural by artist Stephan G. Maniatty.
Image source and more information here.

In the late 18th Century and until the railroad came to the region, Cheapside, a village on the Deerfield River in Greenfield, was a bustling river port, busy with sailors, taverns, warehouses and the comings and goings of flat bottomed boats. Much of what was sold at the original Chandler’s Store in Colrain was hauled up from Cheapside by teamsters, as was cotton for Griswold’s mills.

Learn all about Cheapside and its relation to Colrain at the next meeting of the Colrain Historical Society on Thursday, June 9. The speaker will be Peter Miller, from the Greenfield Historical Society.

The event, which continues a season-long look at transportation in Colrain, will be held in the Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain. The program begins at 7:30 p.m., following a business meeting at 7:00. It’s free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information call Belden at 624-3453.

Thursday, June 9, 2016
7:00 pm Business meeting
7:30 pm Program:  "Cheapside," presented by Peter Miller
Where: Stacy Barn behind the Pitt House at 8 Main Road in Colrain

Update 6/10/2016: photo of  Peter Miller speaking at the Colrain Historical Society on June 9, 2016.