The historical society for the towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott
The Swift River Valley Historical Society is the leading resource in preserving the artifacts, stories and records of the lost towns of the Quabbin Valley; in collaborating with communities, organizations and agencies to provide educational opportunities and programs about the history of this region; and in ensuring appropriate management and protection of those resources and artifacts including the Quabbin watershed to engage public interest and support.
The Swift River Valley Historical Society is located at 40 Elm Street in the village of North New Salem, just west of Rt. 202. For a glimpse into the life of each of the four lost villages, visit the Whitaker-Clary House, Prescott Church Museum, and Carriage Shed at the historical society’s site.
The Swift River Historical Museum is open Wednesdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 PM,
Wednesday, June 18 to Wednesday, September 17. Admission to the museum is free. Join us this season for a wide variety of special events, including hikes, tours, commemorations and more!
The New Salem Guideboard was built in 1886 by Porter Eaton and sat at the five corners near the center of town. Read about the guideboard’s history in a piece by Mason Colby.
The Swift River Valley Historical Society (SRVHS), the leading resource in preserving the artifacts, stories and records of the lost towns of the Swift River Valley, has announced the successful sale of a seventeenth century artifact from its collection. The Symon and Rebeckah Horne Pilgrim Century valuables cabinet, attributed to the Symonds shops of Salem, Massachusetts and dated 1677, was sold by Sotheby’s in New York, achieving $1.6 million.
The decision to sell the piece was made after a thorough review by the museum’s board of directors. The cabinet, while valuable and historically significant, was owned by a family that moved to the Swift River Valley from eastern Massachusetts, and did not directly support the museum’s core mission to preserve and interpret the history of the Swift River Valley towns that were destroyed to build the Quabbin Reservoir, Boston’s water supply.
“This is not a decision the board made lightly,” said Judith McIntosh, Chair of the SRVHS Board of Directors. “We are deeply committed to our mission to preserve the history of the Swift River Valley. The sale allows us to strengthen our operations, make much-needed capital improvements, and expand educational programming that serves the greater community.”
Proceeds from the sale will be used to make capital improvements and accessibility updates to the Whitaker-Clary House, fund long term maintenance of museum buildings, and implement a new strategic plan.
“We understand that the community places great trust in us as stewards of Quabbin history,” said McIntosh. “This sale ensures that we can devote greater resources to fulfilling our mission.”
The Swift River Valley Museum is open during the summer season and by appointment. For a glimpse into the life of each of the four lost towns, visit the Whitaker-Clary House, Prescott Church Museum, and Carriage Shed at the historical society’s location at 40 Elm Street, New Salem, Massachusetts.
Shown above: Lynne Shaw, SRVHS Board Member and Erik Gronning, Senior Advisor, American Furniture, Folk Art and Decorative Arts at Sotheby’s in New York.
Carriage Shed and Barn
The Peirce Memorial Carriage Shed was built in 1991 to house a large variety of tools, farming equipment and North Dana’s 1929 Ford fire truck. The truck still operates and can sometimes be seen in front of the property when the museum is open, at the Dana reunion and an occasional fair or festival.
Whitaker Clary House
The main museum building, the Whitaker Clary House was purchased from the Massachusetts District Commission (MDC, now DCR Watershed Division) in 1961 for $1.00 plus $35 for processing the deed. The building was available because the MDC had abandoned the plan to destroy all properties on this westerly side of the road.
Prescott Museum
The church, built in 1837, spent its first 100 years on the Prescott Peninsula. In the 1930’s, at the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir, it was moved to South Main Street in Orange and be-came the Prescott Historical Society. In 1986, it was moved again to the present location. It is, arguably, the best travelled church in the country.
Help support SRVHS
Donate or become a member
USING ARCHIVES
Archives exist both to preserve historic materials and to make them available for use. Read “A Guide to Effective Research” from the Society of American Archivists.
ARCHIVAL NEWS
GRANT HELPS FUND RABBIT RUN RAILROAD PROJECT
Ken Levine of Peterham has crafted a diorama of the Rabbit Run Railroad which will be open this season for viewing. This program is supported in part by a grant from the New Salem Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. The museum is very appreciative of the Cultural Council’s recognition of the work we do to preserve the history of the Lost Valley and the four towns of Dana, Enfield, Prescott and Greenwich.
“The Wonder out There”
Rambling around the Quabbin Reservoir
From Harvard Magazine, October 2023
For Elena Palladino, Ed.M. ’13, the Quabbin Reservoir preserve in central Massachusetts is more than a wild place to explore. Read More
VOLUNTEER
We are currently seeking volunteers. If you are interested, please email swiftrivermuseum@gmail.com and let us know what area you are interested in helping with.