Upcoming Events in 2022

We plan to have a full schedule of speakers for 2022.  However, due to the possible continuation of some COVID-19 restrictions, we expect that some lectures in 2022 may need to be held remotely via ZOOM.  See our Calendar of Events and our Facebook page for additional details.

2021- Year in  Review

• The Storrs House Museum was open to visitors in 2021 by appointment only.  We were closed to visitors for the most of the year.

• Shared interesting research on Longmeadow homes through our weekly “History Notes” Facebook posts and email blasts.

• Partnered with Storrs Library to bring speakers to the public. Talks were virtual presentations via Zoom.

• The COVID-19 health crisis forced us to cancel Long Meddowe Days in May.  After forty years of doing so, a decision was made by the Board of Directors to discontinue the sponsorship of Long Meddowe Days in the future and focus on our primary mission to preserve and educate Longmeadow history.

• A newly designed daytime program called Tales from the Cemetery (replacing Ghosts in the Graveyard) was held in September and received positive reviews.

The Longmeadow Historical Society greatly appreciates the co-sponsorship and assistance by Storrs Library and its staff to allow the following talks to take place.

Community Preservation Act Funding

2019
The Longmeadow Historical Society submitted a request to the Longmeadow Community Preservation Committee for 2019 CPA funding of improvements to Storrs House Museum which included installation of screen doors and batten doors.  The committee recommended funding of $5460 which was approved at the Longmeadow Annual Town Meeting on May 14, 2019.  Work is underway.

2017
The Longmeadow Historical Society submitted a request to the Longmeadow Community Preservation Committee for 2017 CPA funding of improvements to Storrs House Museum which included second floor climate control (heating + A/C).  The committee recommended funding of $22,300 which was approved at the Longmeadow Annual Town Meeting on May 9-10, 2017.  Work has been completed.

2015
The Longmeadow Historical Society submitted a request to the Longmeadow Community Preservation Committee for 2015 CPA funding of improvements to Storrs House.  These improvement included the completion of work in the basement initiated in 2014 to convert it into a more suitable environment for storage of records and artifacts as well as a work space for research and cataloging. The committee recommended funding of $18,345 which was approved at the Longmeadow Annual Town Meeting on May 12, 2015.  Work has been completed.

2014
The Longmeadow Historical Society and the Storrs Library submitted a request to the Longmeadow Community Preservation Committee for 2014 CPA funding of much needed repairs to Storrs House.  These repairs included conversion of the basement into a more suitable environment for storage of records and artifacts as well as a work space for research and cataloging.  The committee recommended funding of $37,207 which was approved at the Longmeadow Annual Town Meeting on May 13, 2014.  Work has been completed.

2013
Town residents at the Annual Town Meeting on May 8, 2012 approved the expenditure of $50,000 of CPA monies for the repair and upgrade of Storrs House.  A new cedar shingle roof as well as a new air conditioning and heating system were installed in November 2012 as part of this CPA project.  Work has been completed.

The Longmeadow Historical Society greatly appreciates the support of Longmeadow voters who continue to approve at the Annual Town Meeting the distribution of CPA funds for upkeep and improvement of Storrs House Museum.

Past Exhibits/ Events

Storrs Library Exhibit- 2015
The Longmeadow Historical Society sponsored an exhibit of old Longmeadow maps and photographs entitled Longmeadow- A Small Town Becomes a Suburb in the Betty Low Room at Storrs Library, 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. during the month of May 2015.

In addition to a series of five maps covering the period from 1831 through 1920 there was a collection of old photographs on display- some of which were taken by Paesiello Emerson during the 1900 - 1925 time period and donated to the Longmeadow Historical Society. The late 19th century through the early 20th century was a dramatic period of change for Longmeadow including its separation from what is known as East Longmeadow.

Storrs Library Exhibit- 2014
The Longmeadow Historical Society sponsored an exhibit at Storrs Library entitled Through the Lens- Longmeadow 100 Years Ago during the month of May 2014. During this exhibit a series of Emerson photos were displayed.  There was a Community Reception on May 12, 2014 at Storrs Library with invited speaker Bill Fournier speaking about vintage cameras and photography. Plans are in place to have permanent displays of some of these photos at Storrs Library, Longmeadow Adult Center and Longmeadow High School.

Architectural Walking Tour- 2014
The Longmeadow Historical Society conducted an exterior Architectural Walking Tour of 18th and 19th century homes with a variety of architectural styles located around the Longmeadow Town Green on Sunday, December 7, 2014.  Interested people met at the First Church of Christ (763 Longmeadow Street) at 1 PM where a brief history of the First Church buildings was presented.

2014 LHS Annual Meeting
The Longmeadow Historical Society held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Williams Middle School, Longmeadow, MA. 

In addition to the usual business, the meeting included presentation of a gift of appreciation to Ms. Linda Abrams and Mr. Crawford Lincoln for their many years of dedicated work as they both retire from active roles.  There was also election of new officers and addition of one new member to the Board of Directors.

John Demos- Professor Emeritus of History at Yale University was the guest speaker who spoke to a large audience of 150- 200 people about his book The Unredeemed Captive which won the Francis Parkman Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award.