Nomination for Pelham Town Hall Historic District

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) PH0016217 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) Hampshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER 12/-1/. 25: 0016 DATE "/23/>/ NAME COMMONS Pelham Town Hall Historic District AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCATION Congressional District 1 STREET AND NUMBER: Amherst Road at the corner of Daniel Shays Highway CITY OR TOWN: Pelham STATE CODE 25 COUNTY: Massachusetts 3.

CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site Building Structure Hampshire CODE 015 OWNERSHIP STATUS - Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered | Occupied - Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Commercial Educational Entertainment Government Industrial Military Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific - Transportation -Other (Specity) - Comments OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Town of Pelham STREET AND NUMBER: CITY OR TOWN: Pelham LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Hampshire County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: STATE: Massachusetts CODE 25 CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE Massachusetts Hampshire Northampton Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1965 Federal X State - County DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary STREET AND NUMBER: 25 - Local State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts CODE 25 STATE: COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION CONDITION Excellent E Good (Check One) Fair (Check One) Deteriorated - Ruins - Altered X) Unaltered DESCRIBE THEPRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Moved - Unexposed (Check One) - Original Site The Pelham Town Hall Historic District comprises three properties owned by the Town of Pelham.

The Town Hall, built in 1743, faces south across a lawn at the corner of Amherst Road and Daniel Shays Highway. The Old Burial Ground, laid out in 1739,, lies behind the Hall, and to the west stands a small white clapboard church, built in 1839 in the Greek Revival style The two story high Hall is frame covered with clapboards. When the church was built in 1839, the Town Hall was moved back a few feet. Asmall chimney is located at each gable end of the pitched roof. The gable end of the building is two bays wide. The main facade contains five bays, the center bay of which projects the width of a bay and forms a 2-story square entrance porch with walls the same height as the rest of the main facade. The low pitched roof of the porch intersects the roof of the building approximately halfway up its slope.

A simple and narrow cornice, an extension of the cornice which runs under the roof of the main facade and porch, is carried across the gable end of this bay to form a plain pediment over the entrance. Centered on the south wall of the porch is the main entrance to the building. The surrounds are composed of simplified classical elements which support an overdoor entablature. A secondary entrance is located at each end of the main facade. The doors, and the cornice and pediment, are the only decorative features on the exterior of the building. The interior of the building has been divided into two stories. The original beams and paneled sounding board have been retained. The one-story pitched roof church is three bays wide with a centered entrance. A broad entablature encircles the building and forms a pediment on the front gabled end. Corner pilasters terminate each wall.

A square one-stage belfry rises from the roof. This is crowned by an octagonal spire. 02 O. NATIONAL REGISTER (gTTT EE INS T RUCTIONS SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian! - 15th Century - 16th Century - 17th Century * 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century 'SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1743, 1739, 1839 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education - Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture ] Commerce Literature Communications Conservation Military Music Political Religion/Phi. losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation - Urban Planning X Other (Specity) government STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

( Pelham Town Hall is the oldest Town Hall in continuous use in Massa- chusetts, Town Meetings having been held there from 1743 to the present. Only when Massachusetts adopted the Eleventh Article of Amendment to its Constitution in 1833 and thus separated Church and Town was there need of a church building separate from the Town Hall, and in 1839 was erected the present well-preserved Greek Revival Church. The area is also significant in having been the last major encampment of Daniel Shays' rebels before they dispersed under the pressure of winter weather and General Lincoln's pursuit. The district includes the monument to Shays, that native of Pelham and peaceful rebel, whose bloodless rebellion was a significant cause of the Philadelphia Convention that wrote the Federal Constitution.

The town hall, the church, the monument and the cemetary that provides a setting for these buildings along Route 202, the Daniel Shays Highway, form a Massachusetts State Landmark under the title, Pelham Town Hall Complex. RECENED 5 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Parmenter, C. O., History of Pelham, Mass. from 1738 to 1898, Amherst, Mass., Carpenter and Morehouse, 1898. Sinnott, Edmund W., Meetinghouse & Church in Early New England, New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1963. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY R CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees.

Minutes 42° 23' Seconds 34" Degrees Minutes Seconds 72° 24' 16" NW NE - " SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE NOMINATED PROPERTY: 2.6 ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: NATI REGISTER CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE Dr. Richard W. Hale, Jr., Acting Chairman ORGANIZATION Anne R.

Wardwell, Survey Director DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Office of the Secretary State House November 3, 1971 CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE 25 Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State Local I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register.

Tumnt A Cenually Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation NOV 2 3 1971 Name mat.Xane Secretary oi the Commonwealth & Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission Date ATTEST: Willease haulagh eeper of The National Register Date November 3, 1971 Date NOV 22 1971 8 3650 4.69638 INSTRU O NS K PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM WHEN THE PROPERTY IS RESUBMITTED. DATE:_ 9/30/71 NAME OF PROPERTY- Pelham Town Hall Complex The attached National Register Inventory-Nomination form is being returned to your office for clarification of the information indicated below. 71000085 1. Name- 2. Location. 3. Classification. 4. Owner of Property. 5. Location of Legal Description. _ 6. Representation in Existing Surveys. 7. Description. 8. Statement of Significance. It woned aosat us in ou revrew process y we had more informaron abont the assoriason or relatonotijo bruldings. ne woned aleo uke z o2 Fue 9.

Bibliography. 10. Geographical Data. a. Longitude and Latitude Coordinates. b. Acreage. 11. Form Prepared By. 12. Certification. XX photopapa verade ne we T orm co Map Coverage. Other. and that of sick - Nomlly eguetren ue mot eligebe forNR. It sijnulesance Church are nol cleor. "CoMpLEX" shoby No probeem. enra Hall ao wtitten Clarification or correction of the above items must be made prior to the initiation of our professional review. Correction of these technical errors does not necessarily insure that the nomination will then satisfy National Register criteria in full. Thauk you. Thank you for your attention to the above items checked.

SIGNED: Pfmullen Pelhaue Town Hall Eomplex-Histonic District Toun tall and Chunc 71.568 SOUTE FACADES - -- UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Hampshire FOR NPS USE ONL ENTRY NUMBER 2%. 1/. 25. 00l6 NAME COMMON: Pelham Town Hall Historic District AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: Amherst Road at the corner of Daniel Shays Highway CITY OR TOWN: Pelham STATE: CODE COUNTY: Massachusetts PHOTO REFERENCE 25 Hampshire PHOTO CREDIT: Anne R. Wardwell DATE OF PHOTO: 1971 NEGATIVE FILED AT:/ Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secret State House, Boston LLEWED DENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

1971 Pelham Town Hall and church view from the south NATIONAL REGISTER Pelham Towu Hall Histonic Distret TowntAue SOUTH FA UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Hampshire FOR NPS USE ON ENTRY NUMBER 71. 11.25.00/6 71. 569 NAME COMMON: AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: Pelham Town Hall Historic District CITY OR TOWN: Amherst Road at the corner of Daniel Shays Highway 1971 Pelham NATIONAL REGISTER STATE: Massachusetts CODE 25 Hampshire PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: Anne R. Wardwell DATE OF PHOTO: 1971 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary, State Ho IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

Pelham Town Hall view from south ."- *"Form 10-301 - (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROP ERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Hampshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER 71. 11.25.0016 DATE '/23/21 Z - U C T F Z - un 2. 3. NAME COMMON: AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Pelham Town Hall Historic District Amherst Road at the corner of Daniel Shays Highway CITY OR TOWN: Pelham STATE: CODE COUNTY: 25 Massachusetts MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: Hampshire U. S. G. S. Shutesbury, Massachusetts SCALE: 1:24,000 DATE: 1964 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. CODE 15 VOIR 4697 Purgee Pelham 42° 23' 34" 72°24/16 NDARY 4696 4695000m.N.

)RIAI 712 <BM 1136 INTERIOR-GEOLOGICAL|SURVEY. WASHINGTON. D. C.- 1966 715000m.E. 42°22'30" 72°22'30" 6568 KILO PELHAM TOWN HALL COMPLEX U.S.G.S.: Shutesbury, Mass. Scale: 1 : 24,000 SIFICATION Light-duty Unimproved dirt S. Route 1964 IUTESBURY, MASS. N4222.5 - W7222.5/7.5 1964 AMS 6568 IV NW-SERIES V814 /34 GUSE PETT CHACIDAE John F. X. Davoren Pecretary of the Commonwvealth The Commonwcalth of Massachusetts Affice of the Secretary Siate Hlouse, Boston 02133 August 2?, 1971 The Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service 801 19th Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20006 Attention: Mrs.

Sally Marusin REGISTERED MAIL Dear Sirs, Enclosed are National Register submissions for: Rotch Counting House, New Bedford Old Third District Court House, New Bedford Ioammi Baldwin Mansion, Woburn Iwin Lights, Thacher's Island Old African Meetinghouse, Boston Merrell Tavern, Iee Pelham Town Hall Complex, Pelham These have been deciared eligible for submission by the Mabsachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth, John F. X. Davoren, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated the State Liaison Officer- Sincerely yours, Qihadl W. Htale fu Richard w. Hale, JX.

Acting Chairman RWH: aw Massachusetts Historical Commission AUG Ü 0 1971 / ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE KaSSAr Date Entered NOV 2 3 1971 Name Location Bogerson's Village Hiacorle Dintxiot Pelhan Zom Fall Hiatozle Distriet trexidge (Noxth) Fereeater County Pelham Hampshire County Also Notified Fon. Edward M. Kennedy - Hon. Eiward N. Ernoia Kon. Robert P. Drinan Fon. Silvio 0, Conte Director, lortheast Region HR MÇMeans; mm 11/23/71 Stata Idaison OfEicez fon. John 2. X. Davoron Socrotary of the Conmorvalth Chaimtan, Hassnchusotts Hiotorl.cal Comiasion Office of cha Bocnetary Stato Tousa Doscon, Massnchectts 02133 R TOWN SEAL TOWN OF PELHAM Incorporated January 15, 1743 PELHAM HISTORICAL COMMISSION Pelham, Mass. 01002 61 Arnold Rd., R.R.#2 Amherst, Mass. 01002 August 18, 1975 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service AUG 2 0 REC'D Washington, D. C.

20240 Attention Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Gentlemen: In December of 1971 the Town of Pelham was honored by the National Park Service when it received recognition for its historic heritage. On September 7 of this year we shall unveil a large bronze plaque with the following inscription. PELHAM TOWN HALL COMPLFX A MASSACHUSETTS HISTORIC LANDMARK 1967 LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 1971 1743 Established RESTORED 1975 We feel proud in our accomplishment in restoring this historic prop- erty altho there is yet work to be done. However, with the nation's Bicentennial Celebration now started we are celebrating the Bicenten- nial with this event and thought yoy should know about it in case you might want to send a representative, perhaps a letter or certifieate acknowledging our efforts. We have informed Congressman Silvio O.

Conte of our celebration, sug- gesting that it would be nice if he and someone from the National Park Service could be present. Kindly let us know at once your reaction to this letter and what we may expect. Sincerely yours, PELHAM COMMISSION William tg trater Foerster, Chairman WJF/df MS PELHAM TOWN HALL HISTORIC DISTRICT: (25-72-00019-00). Pelham, Hampshire Co. Municipal ownership. Oldest meeting house in continuous use in the State. Exterior painting. $1,000.00. - PELHAM TOWN HALL HISTORICAL DISTRICT: HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM (25-74-00098-00). See above. Continuing resto- ration, including work on supporting columns in basement, floor, and exterior painting. $2,000.00. H34-PR Loboeret 9/1k15 SEP 4 1975 Mr. William J. Foerster Pelham Historical Commission 61 Arnold Road, R.R. #2 Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 Dear Mr.

Foerster: Thank you for your gracious invitation to participate in the Pelham Bicentennial Celebration. The Pelham Town Hall Complex, with its handsome 18th-century meeting- house, old burying grounds, and mid-19th century Greek Revival Church, is a fine example of a community sensitively preserving its cultural heritage. Unfortunately, vacations and previous commitments make it impossible for me or an appropriate National Park Service representative to attend your celebration. We appreciate your efforts in the field of historic preservation. Sincerely yours, /Sgd/ Jerry L. Rogers Acting Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation.

bcc: Director's Reading File DI PH PR) FNP: B LEBOVICH: j1n: 09-2-75 BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR PELHAM, MASSACHUSETT LAND OFHIS PELHAM TOWN HALL COMPLEX Congregational Church - Town Hall - Old Bu Massachusetts Historic Landmark 15 National Register of Historic Places 1 Citation from American Association for Stat History for Preservation of the Complex HARKNESS ROAD Heathersione Boffure Amethyst NORTI Brook West Pelham JONESRD L CALOWELL ST. Trees. off.+ Sta. AMHERST aONo SOUTH BELCHERTOWN WARREN Hurris ROAD (ENFIELD) yo01g BREWER Brook AMHERST Town Hall+ Hist. Scc. 3i-g~ ROAD T Amethyst Towns Offices * Library DunloR Hill Reservoir,a% ROAD 20 Brook PELHAM KING, ST.

10 Brook Hawley Reservoir Harris KING RD 100 PACKARDVILLE ROAD RO Meads Comner GOLO STREET KNIGHT ST MEADS CORNER MUNSELL Knights Pond Knights Corner DANIEL Pel SHAYS HIGHWAY CY rC MASSACHUSETTS STATE PLANE COORDINATE SYSTEM MAINLAND ZONE SHOWN AS SOLID GRID AT 10,000 FT. INTERVALS 1. Johnson Family Burial Place (Also Ruben Allen Cemetery) 7. Stevens Cemetery (Also Smith Private Burial Ground)- - 1837 2. Arnold Burial Ground - 1806 3. Center Burying Ground - 1739. Part of Town Hall Complex 4. West Burial Ground (Also Cook-Johnson Cemetery) - 1776 5. West Pelham Burial Grounds (Also Harkness Cemetery)- 1835 1818 8. Valley or Village Cemetery - 1848 9. Quaker Burying Ground - abandoned (Not acknowl- edged now as cemetery by town) 10. Monk's Cave (Subterranean stone beehive structure) 11. Amethyst Brook mill and dam site, now swimming facility. 6.

Knight's Burial Ground (Site of Poison Oyster Stone)-1848 A-Church Museum - original doors, paneling, stairs and paned window. B - Oriainal hand hewn beams. C_Historic town memorabilia on exhibit. D - Original pews- -after restoration. E-Upstairs pews with single board backs and seats. LAND OF HISTORIC HEIGHTS Picturesque Pelham straddles a long ridge that is 1,000 feet above the valleys on either This rocky, uneven ground, overlook- ing mountains on every side, attracted mem- bers of the Scotch-lrish border clans more Presbyterians of their home across the sea. religious and political oppression, the first Pelhamites came to Worcester. hostile neighbors destroyed their meeting- house, they sought western highlands. Their hands itched to clear the land, and their hearts burned with a fierce yearning for from all oppression.

early settlers brought with them the spirit of self-government inherited from their ances- A remnant of their staunch character remains today in their meetinghouse. in 1743, the year Pelham was incorporated, it stands today as the oldest town hall in continuous use in New England, and per- The old Congregational Church, built in 1839, has been preserved by the people of Pelham. It now serves as a unique museum toration of two old reed pump organs re- cently made it possible to present a musical program of 18th Century music by profes- Both buildings overlook The Common and Town Hall Complex is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is also desig- nated as a Massachusetts Historic landmark.

Preserved by the town and the Pelham Historical Society and Historical Commis- sion, the area is a priceless national his- Daniel Shays drilled his men on the Pel- veterans protest march for the rights of man for which they had so valiantly fought tion culminated in an attempt to take the Springfield arsenal in 1786 and was a pivot point in the young nation's history. Known as Shays Rebellion, this rebuttal to excessive taxation goaded statesmen into calling the From this convention came the Constitution of the United States. Mainly frugal farmers, the people of Pel- ham were on the right side of the Revolu- They addressed the Boston Commit- tee accordingly in November 1773 in writing: "We are not at present much intimidated with that pompous boasting on the other side of the waters viz.

that Great Britain Fourteen days before independence was officially declared, the Town of Pelham Times were hard-currencywas worth a continental," and merchants and lawyers did a land-office business via the courts in stripping farmers of everything they had and then evicted them from their Shays was among the disillusioned vet- He was forced to sell a handsome sword, which had been given him by Mar- quis de Lafayette, to buy food for his family. Conkey's Tavern in Pelham was a gather- ing place for Shays and his neighbors, and theyangrily discussed their grudges over Massachusetts' town meetings Late in 1786 Daniel Shays led approxi- mately 800 men in an effort to obtain arms at the Springfield arsenal to replace their rights of man were spelled out in the Con- stitution. Shays' mission was accomplished. Righteous indignation was to burn again in the hearts of the Pelham Presbyterians.

later proved to be a charlatan clergyman. This infamous character was 'called Stephen. Burroughs has been described as "a thief an imposter, a counterfeiter and a seducer" but he charmed his way into Pelham via the pulpit. Upon learning about his true iden- tity, the indignant parishioners chased him as far as Rutland, Vermont, catching up Armed with a scythe, Burroughs held his angry pursuers at bay while he delivered "Hay Mow Sermon" from the hayloft. Rutlanders watched in amazement. stood in further awewhen learning that the chief complaint of the Pelhamites was that their "preacher" had been paid $5 for a sermon which he had not delivered. The impasse was resolved when Burroughs In the 19th Century the people of Pelham turned to more pastoral pursuits. Gristmills and sawmills flourished. Industries included charcoal making, wagon and scythe shops.

Later jointed fishpoles, made of native ash and maple, gave the town a national repu- Pelham's quarry provided granite for the foundations of homes and public buildings in the town and surrounding communities, including Amherst. Home industries included making palm leaf hats. William Smith Otis, Pelham native invented and patented the steam shovel. As a young boy, he had hammered in the scythe shop. In the mid-1800's Pelham tried to commit political suicide, because of its depressing aconomie condition The moct prosperous farms bordered Amherst, and at a special session in the town hall on January 31, 1854, the surrender of the Town Charter and annexing sections of Pelham to neigh- boring towns were on the warrant. Lowlanders favored the action; high- landers opposed it. There were 73 in favor of dissolution, and 36 were opposed.

Neighboring towns did not want portions of Pelham: The matter drifted for a few years, and at aspecial meeting in January 1856 the people voted against surrender of Pelham-73 to 36. Today, new homes join the stately houses of yesteryear overlooking the wilderness of Quabbin Reservoir on the east and the western valley floor. Dirt roads still exist in Pelham, and the byways warrant exploring. domestic water supply impoundment in the wood. In addition there are areas for boat- ing, fishing and picnicking. The Orient Spring section of Amethyst Brook is one of the most pleasant sections of town. A hotel once stood near the banks of the brook to accommodate patrons who found amethysts by the brook. Thisis now being used as Pelham's swimming area. Off Packardville Road is the Monk's Cave, shroudedin mystery.

searchers theorize it is but one of a chain of such shelters or cells used by Irish or Culdee Monks in New England around 950 A.D. tures are found in Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties of the Pioneer Valley. The dry masonry and stone work is said to resemble features unique to "caves" built by the Culdees of Ireland centuries ago. The lookout tower on Mount Lincoln's conical peak offers spectacular views on a clear day. One can see mighty Monadnock in New Hampshire to the north' and the dramatic Holyoke Range - with its Seven The Pelham Historical Society museum in the Town Hall Complex is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. June made in advance at other times by writing Amongthe museum's artifacts is an old replica of the Poison Oyster Stone with its epitaph which is known round the world.

The stone indicts the wife of Warren Gibbs for murder, claiming she sprinkled arsenic tombstone was made by Warren's brother, Laoa SOD TR ACAD F-Shays' Stone-to commemorate Daniel Shays of Pelham, Captain in the American Revolution. Leader of the Shays Rebellion againstunjust laws. On this hilltop half of his ragged army encamped for six nights - Jan. 30 to Feb. 5 1787. G-Monks Cave thought to have been built by Irish Culdee monks about 950 A.D. H-Old cemetery adiacent to Town Hall. 1- Shays Ballad on town's 225th anniversary com- memorntive coin J- Famous Poison Oyster Tombstone in museum. Renthos of deceased accuses the wife of killing him with arsenic in his oyster stew. Erected in 1884. PELHAM, MASSACHUSETTS LAND OF HISTORIC HEIGHTS -PELHAM 1700*87 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILT IN PELHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY Incorporated 1743 Where Rebellious Farmers Shaped Our Nation's History Town Hal!

Hist. Scc. PELHAM TOWN HALL COMPLEX Congregational Church - Town Hall - Old Burying Grounds Massachusetts Historic Landmark 1967 National Register of Historic Places 1971 Citation from American Association for State and Local History for Preservation of the Complex 1973 + Librery LH GUL K-Sign on Town Common. L- View east. M. Lookout Tower on Mt. Lincoln's Peak. N - Pelham Town Hall - the oldest in continuous use in New England. O-Congregational Church built in 1839. Now the museum for the Pelham Historical Society. P_ The United Church-Built 1840. BELCHERTOWN Published by: Pioneer Valley Association Hampshire County Commission 5M/7/74 1370 1. Johnson Family Burial Place (Also Ruben Allen Cemetery) -1837 2. Arnold Burial Ground-1806 3. Center Burying Ground - 1739. Part of Town Hall Complex 4. West Burial Ground (Also Cook-Johnson Cemetery) - 1776 5.

West Pelham Burial Grounds (Also Harkness Cemetery)- 1835 6. Knight's Burial Ground (Site of Poison Oyster Stone)-1848 LAND ZONE SHOWN AS 7. Stevens Cemetery (Also Smith Private Burial Ground)- 1818 8. Valley or Village Cemetery - 1848 9. Quaker Burying Ground - abandoned (Not edged now as cemetery by town) 10. Monk's Cave (Subterranean stone beehive structure) 11. Amethyst Brook mill and dam site, now swimming facility. ARAGRAGORAGIRACOA Saturday and Sunday 1:30-4:30p.m. Museum Open June through October