History Museum
The Athenaeum's Edwin Smith History Museum is a treasure trove of Westfield history dating back to Westfield's colonial settlement in the 1600s. Opened in 1927 and named in honor of Edwin Smith, the co-founder of the H.B. Smith Company, the quaint History Museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or by appointment.
Among the historical treasures on display are the following items:
- An original Keeping Room with wide-board floors, thick, hand-hewn beams and a large brick fireplace, circa 1700, that includes a display of colonial era implements, such as a pierced tin lantern, candle molds, foot warmer, bed warmer and spinning wheel. The Keeping Room is named in honor of Lillie Vanderveer Albrecht, the museum's first curator, and the author of a number of historical fiction books for children, including the classic Deborah Remembers . The original Deborah doll used by Lillie to teach Westfield school children about Westfield's history, still resides in the museum.
- A letter from General George Washington to William Shepard, of Westfield, regarding his appointment as Colonel.
- A Bill to establish the Westfield Academy in 1793, signed by John Hancock.
- A large canal map from 1828, showing a planned canal route (only partially completed) extending from New Haven to Canada, with a number of locks in Westfield .
- A children's display case showcasing toys and dolls from the 19th century.
- Two colonial portraits of Ensign John Bancroft (1755 - 1811) and his wife Elizabeth Holcomb Bancroft (1754 - 1813), of Westfield, painted by William Jennys in 1801. ( On permanent loan from the Western Hampden Historical Society .)
- A "High-Wheeler," circa 1880, made by Columbia Bicycle Manufacturing of Westfield.
- A large collection of 19th century buggy whips manufactured in Westfield, known around the world as "The Whip City" for its former abundance of whip manufacturers.
- A regimental uniform worn by a Westfield soldier who was on guard the day President Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theater.
- The 1634 Pulpit Bible used by Rev. Edward Taylor, First Pastor of the Church of Westfield (1671 - 1729). Rev. Taylor was also a leading Puritan poet of his day, considered by some to be the most important American poet before the nineteenth century.
If you or your group would like to schedule a tour of the History Museum, please call Candy Pennington, Administrative Assistant, at 413-568-0638.
