ATHOL — Athol Historical Society treasurer Debra Ellis recently invited arts centers, historical societies and museums in 20 North Quabbin and South Quabbin towns to participate in collaborative events the weekend before Memorial Day, including launching a new free magazine, Uniquely Quabbin, to cover upbeat events in the towns.
A collaborative effort of the historical society, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, Haley’s Publishing, and Athol Press, Uniquely Quabbin will feature at least 48 pages, according to Haley’s. The magazine will be distributed in each of the 20 coverage towns, and circulated at sites of tourist interest throughout Massachusetts and New England.
International Music and Arts Foundation has funded two issues of the magazine with the understanding that organizers will sell advertising to create a self-sustaining quarterly publication. The second issue of Uniquely Quabbin is scheduled for November.
Ellis said collaborators have imagined open houses or other events in Quabbin area museums that may range from a single day of a few hours’ open house to performances, lectures, or films.
Collaborators expect to initiate an online KickStarter crowd-funding campaign in April to subsidize the arts center, museum, and historical society events, also nominally funded by IMAF. “It would be wonderful if events took place annually to launch the new season for arts centers, museums, and historical societies,” Ellis said.
North Quabbin towns are Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick and Wendell. South Quabbin towns are Barre, Belchertown, Hardwick (Gilbertville), Hubbardston, Leverett, New Braintree, Oakham, Pelham, Rutland, Shutesbury and Ware.
Arts center, museum, and historical society events will take place from Thursday to Sunday, May 19-22, according to Ellis.