Year in Review: Sustaining History in the Pioneer Valley--Together

[Pioneer Valley History Network]

Dear Pioneer Valley History Network Members,

The Pioneer Valley is rich with stories—of innovation and industry, resistance and resilience, everyday lives and extraordinary change. From village greens and mill towns to museums, archives, and cultural landscapes, our region’s history matters deeply, not only to those of us who steward it, but to the communities we serve.

The Pioneer Valley History Network exists to champion that history and the organizations and individuals who bring it to life. As a volunteer-run network, PVHN is powered by a shared belief that history should be visible, accessible, and actively promoted. Thanks to your involvement, we are proud to continue offering free publicity for member events, sharing programs and exhibitions widely, and supporting initiatives like History on the Go, Revolution Happen Here and Documenting Early Black Lives. We also work hard to keep beloved traditions such as our Fall Gathering and History Fest accessible by maintaining very low registration costs.

Today, we are writing to ask for your financial support to help sustain this work. You can donate directly by clicking here.

This is an intentional, direct ask and possibly out of character for PVHN, but our world has changed. At a time when history across the United States is increasingly being erased, rewritten, or silenced by our federal government, our mission feels more urgent than ever. Funding cuts, political pressure, and growing misinformation threaten the ability of historical organizations—especially small and community-based ones—to do their work openly and effectively. The stories of local communities, underrepresented voices, and difficult but necessary truths are often the first to be lost.

PVHN is maintained with no regular financial income; we rely on our board members to volunteer their time to manage projects, events, and our vast email network. Over the past year this small group has continued to host gatherings and initiatives that we hope give you and your organization more opportunities for connections and support:

• HistoryFest at Westfield State University: Despite unexpected snowy April weather, HistoryFest was another success with approximately 100 attendees and the highlight of the day being the keynote first-person presentation of Francis Perkins by Jarice Hanson
• Research continued in the Documenting Black Lives project:  This project seeks to share stories of people of color who were enslaved and whose stories may not be captured in our traditional American history.
• Fall Gathering at Black Birch Vineyard: The theme was “Our Agricultural Roots,” focusing on a variety of topics related to agriculture in the Pioneer Valley, including a tour of the vineyard on site.
• Work on the Revolution Happened Here website resumed: The purpose of this project is to build a comprehensive database of stories of the Revolution in the Pioneer Valley.

Financial support from our members allows PVHN to continue amplifying YOUR work, advocating for history organizations across the Pioneer Valley, and providing platforms for connection, learning, and collaboration. It enables us to remain a reliable, inclusive network—one that promotes history not as something static or distant, but as a living, essential part of civic life.

Every contribution, at any level, makes a meaningful difference. Together, we can ensure that the history of the Pioneer Valley continues to be shared, challenged, celebrated, and preserved—now and for future generations.

Thank you for all that you do to keep history alive in our region, and for considering a gift to support the Pioneer Valley History Network. I know this is a time when your organization is also in need, but please consider even a small donation. In addition to the link above, checks can be mailed to us at the address below.

With gratitude and determination,

Jessica K. Fontaine
President, Pioneer Valley History Network

Mailing Address:
PVHN
PO Box 116
Belchertown, MA 01007

PS - Drop us an email if you'd like to attend our next Board meeting on January 14 via Zoom at 4pm - let us know the nature of your attendance (ie. You have a program/initiative you'd like to discuss or you'd just like to observe what we do.) and we'll send you the link.

Pioneer Valley History Network

https://PioneerValleyHistoryNetwork.org/

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