BERNARDSTON — Residents might drive past Town Hall, the United Church of Bernardston or Hillside Pizza on a daily basis, but they may be unaware of the buildings’ histories.
A chance to find out more is set to take place Saturday.
“The Buildings of Bernardston,” a historic walking tour led by Barry Deitz, on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cushman Library is sponsoring the event.
According to a library press release, Deitz, a speaker with a passion for history, will share the stories of the Powers Institute, Cushman Library, Town Hall, the United Church of Bernardston, the Bernardston Unitarian Church and Hillside Pizza, which was formerly Streeter’s Store.
Cushman Library Director Karen Stinchfield said she came up with the idea as soon as she learned this year’s Collaborative Summer Library Program’s theme — decided by the Massachusetts Library System — would involve architecture. More specifically, the theme, called “Build a Better World,” encompasses architecture, building, construction, environment and social awareness, according to the Massachusetts Library System’s website.
“It’s around building buildings, but also building community,” Stinchfield said.
Through Cushman Library’s six-week summer reading program, Stinchfield decided to highlight the history of a different town building each week. With a walking tour, she decided to bring the six buildings together in a new way.
“It gives participants a chance to look at a building they’ve seen a million times in a different way,” she said. “I’d just really love to have people look at these buildings that are a part of our town and maybe appreciate them more.”
Having known Deitz previously, Stinchfield thought he would be perfect to lead the tour. A library patron himself, Deitz has given presentations on how the construction of Interstate 91 affected Bernardston, and served as emcee for the library’s radio show fundraiser last summer.
Deitz said he felt encouraged to research the town’s history when he moved to Bernardston from North Carolina four years ago, learning a lot from his father-in-law, town historian Ed Phelps. The tour, he said, will allow people to learn about most of the major buildings in the town’s history within a short distance, and their transformations over time.
Deitz added he hopes attendees will share their own memories of the buildings, and said United Church of Bernardston Pastor David Neil and President of the Bernardston Historical Society Louella Atherton will share their knowledge of the church and Powers Institute, respectively.
Stinchfield said she hopes the tour will be multi-generational, while inspiring children to explore local buildings and the Powers Institute Museum.
According to the release, the event, which is funded by the Bernardston Cultural Council, will begin at the Powers Institute Museum, with participants walking to the other stops, rain or shine. At Hillside Pizza, the last stop, attendees can enjoy a meal, too.
Reach Shelby Ashline at:
sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257