Conway Historical Society will host the exhibition, “250 Years of Conway History,” in honor of the town’s anniversary celebration.
“Conway’s 250th has sparked community spirit and a collective sense of pride in our town and its rich history,” said Society President Peter Engleman in a statement. “Like major anniversaries in the past — the centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial — this sestercentennial will become a part of our collective memory. In commemorating our history, this celebration will become a part of that history.”
The exhibit will be held in the Society’s 50 Main St. museum Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18.
“It tells the story of Conway’s agricultural and industrial past — the changing landscape of family farming and the rise and fal of manufacturiing mills — and revisits Conway’s past anniversary celebrations,” a press statement about the event notes.
Elsewhere in town during the celebration weekend, “the one-room Boyden Schoolhouse, adjacent to the Conway Grammar School and overseen by the Historical Society, will have open hours” Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In preparing for the anniversary celebration, “with the support of the Conway Cultural Council” and help from Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the society “helped integrate local history in the Grammar School curriculum.” Through that education, the school’s students will host an all-school show in celebration of the anniversary Thursday afternoon and evening, June 15.
A commemorative medal depicting familiar Conway landmarks “including the Field Memorial Library, the Burkeville Covered Bridge, and the United Congregational Church,” was also designed for the celebration. The medal will be on sale at various Society locations through the weekend.