Swampfield Historical Society: Town of Sunderland, MA

Swampfield Historical Society: Town of Sunderland, MA Swampfield Historical Society primarily posts artifacts from its collection as well as Sunderland-related items that are publicly available.

Our mission is to collect, preserve, and display historical artifacts, celebrating Sunderland's rich past through engaging exhibits, thought-provoking lectures, and interactive events that inspire people of all ages to explore and connect with history.

The label on this woman’s portrait by Erastus Salisbury Field at the Sunderland Public Library reads “Achsah H. Graves ...
06/17/2026

The label on this woman’s portrait by Erastus Salisbury Field at the Sunderland Public Library reads “Achsah H. Graves 1818-1896”.

She is Achsah Hubbard Graves the daughter of Rufus Hubbard and Irene Montague.

She was born on December 15, 1818 in Sunderland and married Alden Graves (son of Cephas Graves and Miranda Church daughter of Dr. Samuel Church) on May 12, 1841.

They had four children: Rufus, Cephas, Sarah, and Frederick. Achsah died January 28, 1896 and is buried at Riverside Cemetery.

This May 15, 1891 Greenfield Recorder article describes Achsah and Alden’s surprise 50th wedding anniversary party and notes their family history.

Now that you know something about the woman, who do you think the man is in the portrait beside her?

A BIG THANK YOU to Mike at Warner Farm who's growing broom corn for us so we'll have it for the October Whisk Broom Maki...
06/17/2026

A BIG THANK YOU to Mike at Warner Farm who's growing broom corn for us so we'll have it for the October Whisk Broom Making Workshop!

If you're growing broom corn too, show us your pics!

On this day in Sunderland 1932 it was graduation day at the Grammar School. We think the handwritten "M" notations may ...
06/16/2026

On this day in Sunderland 1932 it was graduation day at the Grammar School.

We think the handwritten "M" notations may mean "married". What are your thoughts?

We will be OPEN tomorrow, Wednesday 6/17/2026 2-4 pm! This photo is from an album in our collection. Its caption read...
06/16/2026

We will be OPEN tomorrow, Wednesday 6/17/2026 2-4 pm!

This photo is from an album in our collection. Its caption reads "All Dolled Up".

Here's Erastus Salisbury Field who painted the two portraits hanging in the Sunderland Public Library. Field was born i...
06/15/2026

Here's Erastus Salisbury Field who painted the two portraits hanging in the Sunderland Public Library. Field was born in a house on the banks of Leverett Pond on May 19, 1805. For a time he was a resident of Monson, MA. He moved to Sunderland in 1859 living in the Plumtrees. He died in Sunderland June 28, 1900.

Join us on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 pm when Amherst artist Neal Parks will give his very informative presentation about Field and his works.

Program sponsored by Swampfield Historical Society and Sunderland Public Library.

Mark your calendars and join us!
06/15/2026

Mark your calendars and join us!

If you assumed the reason these portraits hang prominently in the is because the man and woman were residents of our to...
06/14/2026

If you assumed the reason these portraits hang prominently in the is because the man and woman were residents of our town, you’d be right. (We'll tell you more about them in future posts....)

However, there’s another reason these paintings are significant.

Do you know why that is?

UPDATE! Thank you to everyone who answered. Rebecca Addison had it! The artist who painted these portraits was Erastus Salisbury Field, an American Folk Painter, who was born in Leverett and lived the last 50 years of his life in the Plumtrees in Sunderland.

We'll be posting more about the man and woman in the portraits this week so stay tuned. And in September Swampfield Historical Society with Sunderland Public Library will be hosting a presentation about Field.

Weekend Read! The Hubbard House. If you drive on 116 you've seen it!From the Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 11, 1976.
06/13/2026

Weekend Read! The Hubbard House. If you drive on 116 you've seen it!

From the Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 11, 1976.

If you assumed the reason these portraits hang prominently in the is because the man and woman were residents of our to...
06/12/2026

If you assumed the reason these portraits hang prominently in the is because the man and woman were residents of our town, you’d be right. (We'll tell you more about them in future posts....)

However, there’s another reason these paintings are significant.

Do you know why that is?

In Sunderland on June 11, 1846, John Quincy Adams was married. ☺️ From The Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, ...
06/12/2026

In Sunderland on June 11, 1846, John Quincy Adams was married. ☺️

From The Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, MA June 19, 1846

Address

109 North Main Street P. O. Box 31
Sunderland, MA
01375

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