Gill Historical Commission

01/25/2024

CORRECTION thanks to a couple of sharp eyed followers! The corrections have been made below - but has already happened as of this post.

Did you know?
On January 25th, the first full moon of the new year, called the Wolf Moon, will rise in the night sky this week. Native American Tribes gave names to each of the full moons to keep track of the passing year. According to the Farmers Almanac, it’s thought that January’s full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. It was traditionally believed that wolves howled due to hunger during winter, but we know today that wolves howl for different reasons. Howling and other wolf vocalizations are used to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and coordinate hunting.

The completely illuminated moon will rise in the northeast around sunset. Wolves have been associated with the moon in traditional stories across cultures, including Native American, German and Scandinavian mythology.

01/18/2024

Did you know?
The Cold Storage and Ice Trade Journal of February 1811, details statistics about the thousands of blocks of ice taken from the length of the Connecticut. Close to 8,000 tons of 14-inch cubes were harvested by Greenfield Ice and Trucking Co. The report continues, “The New York Central Railroad has frilled its large ice house at West Springfield. The Company harvested 385 carloads of ice.” Read more on our web page (gillma.org) under Archives.
(photo of Ice Harvesting on the Connecticut River in the early 1900's.)

01/11/2024

The first set of the Town of Gill ledgers have been digitized!

The 1870-1879 Town of Gill's ledgers are now available on the town of Gill's website! These beautifully, handwritten ledgers are a work of art and over 150 years old. The ledgers were rescued from the water pipe burst in the town hall last winter and it was quickly realized that these gems must be preserved. This will be an ongoing project over the next few years in conjunction with Digital Commonwealth and the Boston Public Library. Head on over to the website for the links and take a peak. (gillma.org)

01/04/2024

A Year in the Life…ever wonder what a GHC member does throughout the year? Never a dull moment for sure! Visit our web page (gillma.org) for a peak at what 2023 looked like for our members and the projects they spearheaded or just dabbled in!

Interested in joining? Contact any of our members, call the GHC Chair at 413-863-2505 or email us at [email protected]

01/01/2024

12/23/2023

What last minute Holiday shopping looked like in 1951...

12/21/2023

Looking for last minute vintage treats? Check out our website for ideas and recipes!

12/14/2023

Throw-Back-Thursday!
Who remembers Weeks Firestone Store on Federal St. in Greenfield circa 1951?

12/07/2023

Throw-Back-Thursday gem!
One of our GHC members shared this photo she found recently of her parents. Alyce and Larry Nadeau on the bridge over Falls River, with the factory ruin in the background.

11/30/2023

GIFT-GIVING
GHC has two books that make thoughtful gifts for all occasions. "Life Along the Connecticut River" covers the Riverside part of Gill from geology and dinosaurs to building the French King Bridge in 1938. The second book spans life in Gill from 1860 to 1930 with Jennie Williams Bardwell's family letters, two 1870s diaries and many pictures.
Both are available for a donation of $50 each at the Town Hall and on the GHC website.
Copies of "The History of Gill, vol. 2" are available for $10 each.

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving!
The presidential turkey pardon: it’s one of the most beloved, light-hearted White House traditions, and the practice stretches back more than 150 years.

The tradition originated in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln’s son convinced his father to spare a turkey from the Christmas dinner table.

Future presidents continued to pardon turkeys for Thanksgiving, and the practice eventually became a formalized White House tradition during the Reagan administration.