The Declaration of Independence - A Discussion

The Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library and Bidwell House Museum are collaborating on events taking place on June 18th and July 4th to learn about and celebrate the remarkable Declaration of Independence. First, on Thursday, June 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Monter......More

The Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library and Bidwell House Museum are collaborating on events taking place on June 18th and July 4th to learn about and celebrate the remarkable Declaration of Independence. First, on Thursday, June 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Monterey Library, we will have a group reading and discussion about the Declaration. We will explore some context for the provisions, reasons, and grievances against the British monarchy that are included in the declaration. And we will look ahead to how those same provisions were addressed in the 1787 U.S. Constitution. The constitution established a new form of government “by the people,” with a separation of federal power into three co-equal branches with “checks and balances.” During the discussion, we will try to imagine being in the shoes of the delegates to the Continental Congress in June and July of 1776. They proposed clauses, debated, and ultimately compromised on a framework to form this new independent nation, uniting thirteen disparate colonies into thirteen United States. Then they had to figure out how to form the institution of government that would make it work.It is remarkable! It had never been done before in history. Several books are suggested: “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” by Walter Isaacson, 2025, only 60 pages of text, will be available to borrow from the Monterey Library in hard copy, as well as being available to download from hoopla for free with your Monterey Library card.  “How to Read the Constitution and Why” by Kim Wehle, 2019, is available both as an ebook and downloadable audio for free from hoopla. “How to Read the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence” by Paul B. Skousen, 2017, is not available through the library but can be purchased from Amazon for about $20. This event is free and open to the public.

Monterey Library, 452 Main Road, Monterey, MA, 01245, United States

The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of Independence

“I Have Scarcely a Mouthful of Bread for Myself or My Children”: The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of IndependenceFor our second history talk of the 2026 season, we take a look at the life of the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. In this lecture, Alexander Cain e......More

“I Have Scarcely a Mouthful of Bread for Myself or My Children”: The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of IndependenceFor our second history talk of the 2026 season, we take a look at the life of the Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. In this lecture, Alexander Cain examines the often-overlooked experiences of American Loyalists from New England and New York during the Revolutionary War. He will explore how unwavering loyalty to the Crown led to the loss of homes, freedom, and security for numerous families. Drawing on original petitions and firsthand accounts, the presentation traces the harrowing flight of Loyalists from so-called “patriot” mobs and Committees of Safety. The discussion further explores the severe hardships endured by Loyalist families, including those from western Massachusetts, who sought refuge with the British army, facing starvation, violations of civil liberties, and exile. The lecture also highlights the resilience that enabled these individuals to persevere in the face of such adversity. Alexander Cain, JD, has authored numerous research articles and presentations on the American Revolution, including the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, and the experiences of New England and New York loyalist refugees during the Burgoyne Campaign. In addition, he has published two books: We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War: The Loyalists of McAlpin’s Corps of American Volunteers. He is also the creator of the blog and podcast Historical Nerdery (historicalnerdery.com). Currently, he is in the process of writing his upcoming book, “For God’s Sake, Fire!” – The Massachusetts Militia System on the Eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which is anticipated to be released in 2027. Alex currently leads an educational initiative in Northeastern Massachusetts that introduces high school students to careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, and the skilled trades. He resides in Massachusetts with his wife, Paula, and they have two adult children, John and Abigail. The fact that they are named after John and Abigail Adams is purely a coincidence. This lecture will be held at the Monterey Meeting House, 449 Main Rd, Monterey and via Zoom. Zoom tickets need to be purchased in advance in order to receive the viewing link, but in-person tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the door. A Zoom link will be sent 2-3 days in advance of the presentation. For in-person attendees, there is limited parking on the street in front of the Meeting House and additional parking behind Monterey Town Hall, a 2 minute walk down the road.

The Bidwell Artisan Fair

Enjoy a free community day at the Bidwell House MuseumOn Saturday June 27th the Bidwell House Museum is excited to present the Bidwell Artisan Fair. During this free community event, visitors to the Museum will have the opportunities to see numerous craftspeople creatin......More

Enjoy a free community day at the Bidwell House MuseumOn Saturday June 27th the Bidwell House Museum is excited to present the Bidwell Artisan Fair. During this free community event, visitors to the Museum will have the opportunities to see numerous craftspeople creating items as varied as spoons, lace, chairs and paper. Many of the artisans will be using historical techniques and creating beautiful items in ways similar to New England craftspeople hundreds of years ago. In addition to craft demonstrations, visitors will also be able to see Revolutionary War reenactors demonstrating a “camp kitchen” and hear music from Shinbone Alley. There will also be a scavenger hunt for kids, snacks for purchase and from 12-2 the Los Lopez Taco Truck. Artisan Demonstrations will include: Andrew Jack makes and teaches the construction of Windsor chairs using a blend of contemporary and traditional techniques. . Working with green wood and hand tools allows his handmade chairs and woodenware to appear and feel “light” and “delicate” yet maintain the strength of a tree. Jill Hawkins from the New England Lace Group will demonstrate the historic craft of bobbin lacemaking, which originated in the 16th century. Learn how lace is made by hand and try it yourself! Crane Paper Museum will  teach visitors how paper was made in the 19th century Berkshire Hills and Dales Spinning Guild will show visitors how to spin wool Nancy Donovan will show you the fine art of paper quilling Camp Kitchen with Tommy Tringale Be sure to visit the recreated camp kitchen and see how Continental Army soldiers during the American Revolution cooked their meals and what personal belongings they carried while on campaign during the conflict with England. This demonstration is weather dependent and will not happen if rain is forecast. In addition to these demos, we are also excited to welcome Shinbone Alley to the stage for the afternoon. Alex Harvey is an old-world folklorist who performs street ballads and songs of the sea in a project he calls Shinbone Alley. At his performances listeners learn to celebrate the haunting intercultural exchange of 18th and 19th century maritime music – whose ingredients travelled from the furthest corners of the globe to be remade and stitched anew by sailors of every shade and shape at port and at sea.   Additional activities may be added before the event, so check back here for the most up to date information. Pre-registration is not required for this event, but if you do plan to attend, getting a free ticket does help us to know how much food and drink to have on hand. **Please Note the Bidwell House Museum will not be open for regularly scheduled tours during the Artisan Fair**   This program is supported in part by grants from Lee Bank along with the Monterey, Otis, Sheffield and Tyringham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Bidwell House Museum, 100 Art School Road, Monterey, MA, 01245, United States

A Reading of The Declaration of Independence

The Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library and Bidwell House Museum are collaborating on several events to learn about and celebrate the remarkable Declaration of Independence. On July 4th at noon, on the Monterey Library lawn, we are planning to read the full De......More

The Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library and Bidwell House Museum are collaborating on several events to learn about and celebrate the remarkable Declaration of Independence. On July 4th at noon, on the Monterey Library lawn, we are planning to read the full Declaration of Independence. There will be refreshments after the event. We are hoping to have around 55 people to participate in the reading. Attendance at the June 18 discussion is encouraged but not required for participation. We would like to have a a large diverse group of local residents of all ages to read and listen to the reading. We hope you will attend and encourage as many of your group and friends to attend as possible.  Please RSVP via email to one of the three sponsors below with your attendance. Rob Hoogs                                       Mark Makuc                                        Heather Kowalski Monterey Historical Society        Monterey Library                                Bidwell House Museum [email protected]                      [email protected]            [email protected]

The Web They Wove: Women & their Wardrobes during New England’s Revolution

For our third history talk of the season we will take a look at the clothing of every day women during the Revolutionary War.Underpinning the sensationalism of battle reports & broadsides is the often silent steadiness of women’s work with textiles. The choices they mad......More

For our third history talk of the season we will take a look at the clothing of every day women during the Revolutionary War.Underpinning the sensationalism of battle reports & broadsides is the often silent steadiness of women’s work with textiles. The choices they made about fashion, fabric consumption and creation drove the course of Revolution just as determinedly as any congress. As New England commemorates the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, it is these local lives dressed in fulled wool or spun silk that continue to inspire creativity, resilience, and empathy in us today. From the mythology of homespun to legends of midnight rides in red cloaks & calashes, the Dirty Blue Shirts share stories of women who waged war on multiple fronts as well as a look at what they wore as their worlds turn’d upside down. Uncovering history is dirty work! The Dirty Blue Shirts is an experiential history collective of living historians, scholars, and artists based in New London County & Western Rhode Island. From Revolution to Prohibition: their passion is bringing American history to life. Whether in plain clothes or period attire, research and authenticity are at the heart of everything the Shirts do. This program is being presented by Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue and Amanda Flynn Rumney. For over twenty years, Rebecca built research and programming at a major maritime museum. Now she practices and teaches living history in a variety of time periods and media, including the recreation of period clothing, material culture, lifestyles, and events. Amanda approaches living history as an archaeologist, teacher, writer, and genealogist. When not crocheting or cataloging some old thing, she combines her experiences in education, material culture, and document-based research to create unique living history experiences. In 2015, she received her MA in Archaeology – Museum & Artefact Studies from Durham University in the UK. This lecture will be held at the Monterey Meeting House, 449 Main Rd, Monterey and via Zoom. Zoom tickets need to be purchased in advance but in-person tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the door. A Zoom link will be sent 2-3 days in advance of the presentation. For in-person attendees, there is limited parking on the street in front of the Meeting House and additional parking behind Monterey Town Hall, a 2 minute walk down the road.

449 Main Rd, 449 Main Road, Monterey, MA, 01245, United States