West Side History Trail

Join us for a tour of West Springfield's museums on Saturday, November 4 from 10 AM - 4 PM!

West Springfield, MA
Saturday, November 4, 2023
10 AM - 4 PM

The West Side History Trail, a part of the "History on the Go" Tours by Pioneer Valley History Network, was funded by grants from the Mass Cultural Council. This tour covers the four major museums in West Springfield, all of which highlight unique aspects of history from the mid 18th century up until the 20th century.

Tours are free, but donations are accepted at each location.

Download the event brochure here.

Locations

Storrowton Village Museum

1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Enter through Gate 1 & ask for directions)
(413) 205-5051
storrowtonvillage.com

Storrowton Village Museum is a collection of 18th and 19th century buildings from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with various programs throughout the year.

Storrowton Village will host an additional free event this day featuring blacksmithing demonstrations (see below for more info).

Accessibility: The Union Meeting House and Blacksmith Shop at Storrowton Village are both wheelchair accessible. Audio tours are available outside of buildings, and can be used by scanning a QR code. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at this location.

Josiah Day House

70 Park Street, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Parking in Rear)
(413) 636-1616
josiahdayhouse.com

The Josiah Day House is a brick saltbox house built in 1754, sitting on it's original plot of land. The Josiah Day House is full of 18th century history and covers the story of the prominent Day Family.

Accessibility: The Josiah Day House is not wheelchair accessible, but does feature an audio tour at the exterior of the house that can be accessed by scanning a QR Code.

Eastern States Exposition Museum

1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089
(Enter through Gate 1 & ask for directions)
(413) 205-5051
https://www.thebige.com/p/thingstodo/esewalkthroug...

The Eastern States Exposition Museum represents a culmination of the unique history of the organization. From its origins in 1916 to latest and greatest entertainment at the Big E, the Museum covers a wide range of topics.

Accessibility: The ESE Museum is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available at this location.

Altamont Museum

55 Altamont Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 263 - 3284
tinyurl.com/altamontmuseum

The Altamont Museum is West Springfield's Town Museum, covering West Springfield history throughout the ages. Discover interesting exhibits that cover the, perhaps, mostly unknown bits of local history.

Accessibility: The Altamont Museum is wheelchair accessible. There is an available restroom that may not be wheelchair accessible.

History on the Go

The Pioneer Valley History Network (PVHN), with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), presents “History on the Go” for 2023. “History on the Go” brings together historical institutions in an area to create a “trail,” on a coordinated day and time, for the history-loving public to follow. This will allow our smaller historical museums and institutions open their doors to a wider public and strut their stuff!

Learn more at https://pioneervalleyhistorynetwork.org/

Blacksmiths @ History on the Go!

Red Barn, Sheds & Blacksmith Shop
November 4, 2023
10 AM - 4 PM

Take a break from your journey between museums to see some blacksmiths hard at work at their craft! More than 10 of Storrowton Village's local blacksmiths will demonstrate their skills throughout the day.

Other activities will include:

Open hearth cooking in Gilbert Farmstead
Family crafts
Shopping hand-forged blacksmith products and at the Christmas Shop
Free train rides between Storrowton Village and Fiber Fest