Shelburne Historical Society

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth everyone

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

More than two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, on June 19, 1865, Union troops traveled to Galveston, Texas with word of slavery's end. An annual celebration of the date — known as — took root in Black communities across the state.

America's "second independence day" became a federal holiday in 2021, the first since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was designated in 1983.

📸: Juneteenth Celebration, June 19, 1900. (University of North Texas Libraries/Austin History Center)

06/18/2026

Follow the Trolley Day is Saturday 6/27! We will be open our usual 1-4pm hours with a special exhibit prepared on the history of the Trolley line, with some photos from the SHS collection. 🚃

06/16/2026

🍦🎺

First concert of the season on Wednesday! Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls at 7pm. The Shelburne Historical Society will be selling ice cream. 🍦🍨😋

06/15/2026

Do you like ice cream? 🍦 Do you like live band music?🎺
Join us this Wednesday at 6pm for our annual free Ice Cream Social with the Shelburne Falls Military Band! The music starts at 7, and our building and new exhibit will be open.
Hope to see you there!

06/13/2026

Looking forward to seeing you today during our reception from 10-4!
See you again this Wednesday at 6 for our annual Ice Cream Social with the Shelburne Falls Military Band!🍦

06/10/2026

Drop in this Saturday between 10-4 for our exhibit reception! Curator Mahalia worked for months to research and mount our latest exhibit, all about Lt. Col. David Wells and Shelburne in the Revolution.
Come and view the exhibit, chat about history, and enjoy some snacks while you’re here!

06/04/2026

It’s the end of the school year, and we found this great photo postcard in the collection.
Here is a combined 6-7th grade classroom in town, the school is not identified.
They must have been ready to be done at the end of the year!

05/29/2026

Sneak peek of our brand new exhibit: “When in the Course of Human Events: Shelburne in the Revolution.” Opening officially when we open tomorrow (1-4pm) through the end of the season, this exhibit explores the life and military career of David Wells. Wells was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Massachusetts Militia during the Revolution, leading men at both Ticonderoga and Saratoga.
Come in and learn about David, his fellow militiamen, and early Shelburne history.

Stay tuned for more information about our exhibit opening reception.

05/27/2026

Thank you all for coming out to our program this past weekend! We learned a lot about the history of Hill Cemetery from Joe Judd. If you have further interest, the cemetery itself is a lovely visit!

Upcoming Events:

June 13: Reception for “When in the Course of Human Events: Shelburne in the Revolution”📜
10am-4pm

June 17: Ice Cream Social🍨🍦 6pm

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day🇺🇸

On this day of remembrance, we are highlighting items from World War 1, known at the time as the Great War.
The framed photo is of Company H., 20th Regiment, Mass State Guard, at Camp Augustus P. Gardner, August 1918.
The pin is an example of pins given by the towns of Buckland and Shelburne to their returning service members after the war.

On this day, we remember all the soldiers who died in service to our country.