Dan Raymond House Museum / Mark Dewey Research Center / Old Stone Store 137-161 Main Street | P.O. Box 747 | Sheffield, MA 01257
Visit us at the Old Stone Store Weekends 11am-4pm
Mum Bett Musical Program
Oct. 11, 7:30pm
Join us at Dewey Hall for a musical program honoring Elizabeth Freeman, whose successful lawsuit for her freedom directly led to the abolishment of slavery in Massachusetts in 1783. The presentation “A Free Woman: The Amazing Grace of Mum Bett” will be a telling of this trailblazer’s life through song and lecture.
In 1781, during the American Revolution, a slave named Bett sued for her freedom in Great Barrington. She won her case and chose a new name: Elizabeth Freeman, but she was known fondly as “Mum Bett,” the “Mum” being a term of respect. When she died in 1829 she owned her own house and left an estate worth over $1,000 to her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bett's fierce desire to be a free woman led her on a path that illuminates the experiences of women in the early days of our country. Her court case set a precedent that led to the end of slavery in Massachusetts.
Diane performs in the sort of clothing Elizabeth wore, and accompanies her singing on lap dulcimer and an instrument similar to the English guitar played by women in the 1700s. The songs are those that Mum Bett might have sung or heard, and include slave spirituals, hymns, and popular ballads. For many years Diane Taraz has been writing her own original songs and breathing new life into traditional ones. Diane delves into fascinating corners of music, drawing inspiration from Celtic, British, French-Canadian, American folklore and jazz. Performing live, she presents historic programs that focus on the American Revolution, the Civil War, and other eras.The programs is at Dewey Hall, 91 Main St. Sheffield, and is free and open to the public. For more information email sheffieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Oct. 11, 7:30pm
Join us at Dewey Hall for a musical program honoring Elizabeth Freeman, whose successful lawsuit for her freedom directly led to the abolishment of slavery in Massachusetts in 1783. The presentation “A Free Woman: The Amazing Grace of Mum Bett” will be a telling of this trailblazer’s life through song and lecture.
In 1781, during the American Revolution, a slave named Bett sued for her freedom in Great Barrington. She won her case and chose a new name: Elizabeth Freeman, but she was known fondly as “Mum Bett,” the “Mum” being a term of respect. When she died in 1829 she owned her own house and left an estate worth over $1,000 to her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bett's fierce desire to be a free woman led her on a path that illuminates the experiences of women in the early days of our country. Her court case set a precedent that led to the end of slavery in Massachusetts.
Diane performs in the sort of clothing Elizabeth wore, and accompanies her singing on lap dulcimer and an instrument similar to the English guitar played by women in the 1700s. The songs are those that Mum Bett might have sung or heard, and include slave spirituals, hymns, and popular ballads. For many years Diane Taraz has been writing her own original songs and breathing new life into traditional ones. Diane delves into fascinating corners of music, drawing inspiration from Celtic, British, French-Canadian, American folklore and jazz. Performing live, she presents historic programs that focus on the American Revolution, the Civil War, and other eras.The programs is at Dewey Hall, 91 Main St. Sheffield, and is free and open to the public. For more information email sheffieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Current Exhibit
The Sheffield Historical Society’s fall exhibit, “Sheffield’s Freedom Fighters: From Mumbet to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment” tells how Sheffield’s African Americans in the 1700s-1800s fought for the emancipation of all enslaved Americans. Through the courts, on the battlefield, and through a struggle for integration at home, they contributed to making the Southern Berkshires a community far ahead of the nation. The exhibit runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 20, on view weekends 11am-4pm at the Old Stone Store, 137 Main St., Sheffield.
The Sheffield Historical Society’s fall exhibit, “Sheffield’s Freedom Fighters: From Mumbet to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment” tells how Sheffield’s African Americans in the 1700s-1800s fought for the emancipation of all enslaved Americans. Through the courts, on the battlefield, and through a struggle for integration at home, they contributed to making the Southern Berkshires a community far ahead of the nation. The exhibit runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 20, on view weekends 11am-4pm at the Old Stone Store, 137 Main St., Sheffield.
Canoe Raffle
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Congratulations to Melanie Zannini, winner of the Canoe Raffle!
Special thanks to Hilary Russell who not only taught and led our members in handcrafting this boat at his Berkshire Boat Building School, but also for donating the materials and finished canoe for the raffle. And thank you to all who entered the raffle. The money raised will make a huge difference in building additional storage for our artifact collection. Click here to watch a video of Tony Carlotto and Hilary choosing the winning ticket. |
2019Heritage Festival & Family Feast
Thank you to those who attended and special thanks to the volunteers who made it happen!
We'd Like to Thank Our Sponsors
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GOLD
Carlson Propane K.C. Clow James & Catherine Miller Wheeler & Taylor, Inc. |
SILVER
Cole Engineering & Construction Gulotta Brothers Mobil Ed Herrington,Inc. James R. Kimball, Jr. Brian & Lois Levinsohn The Magic Fluke |
BRONZE
Big Y Cumberland Farms Ted & Susan Pitman |
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WATCH the TV Segment about the Sheffield Historical Society
Click below to watch "Main Streets and Back Roads" segment on the Sheffield Historical Society. Make sure to check out the other segments on Sheffield, including Tony Carlotto's Rolling Rock Farm, Magic Fluke, Bartholomew's Cobble, Mill River Farm & Sheffield antiques stores.
http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle
Click below to watch "Main Streets and Back Roads" segment on the Sheffield Historical Society. Make sure to check out the other segments on Sheffield, including Tony Carlotto's Rolling Rock Farm, Magic Fluke, Bartholomew's Cobble, Mill River Farm & Sheffield antiques stores.
http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle
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Interested in visiting other 18th century sites?
Historic Berkshires: An 18th Century Trail
Sheffield Historical Society
Dan Raymond House
Jennifer Owens, Administrator
sheffieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
413-229-2694
Office Hours
Tuesday & Friday 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Mark Dewey Research Center
James Miller, Archivist
K.C. Clow, Volunteer
mdrc@sheffieldhistory.org
413-229-3682
Office Hours
Monday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday 1:30pm-4:00pm
or by appointment
Sheffield Historical Society
P.O. Box 747
159-161 Main St.
Sheffield, MA 01257
Visit us at Facebook
Dan Raymond House
Jennifer Owens, Administrator
sheffieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
413-229-2694
Office Hours
Tuesday & Friday 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Mark Dewey Research Center
James Miller, Archivist
K.C. Clow, Volunteer
mdrc@sheffieldhistory.org
413-229-3682
Office Hours
Monday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday 1:30pm-4:00pm
or by appointment
Sheffield Historical Society
P.O. Box 747
159-161 Main St.
Sheffield, MA 01257
Visit us at Facebook