History and botany come together in a fascinating exhibition, “Plants on Paper: Two Centuries of Collecting, Studying and the Art of the Flora in Plainfield,” built around a long-lost herbarium and its fortuitous return to the Plainfield Historical Society.
Created in 1854 by Plainfield native Samuel Francis Shaw, the herbarium, a collection of dried plants and flowers labeled with their scientific names, was recently returned to Plainfield by Longmeadow resident Robin Sauve.
Collecting, drying and studying plants is an activity that has deep historical roots in Plainfield. During the late 18th century, when botany became a scientific pursuit and popular hobby, some of the town’s most well-known citizens participated in this engaging endeavor.
The exhibit includes Shaw’s 19-century herbarium as well as manuscripts, books, photographs and materials in the Historical Society’s collection. Items by Dr. Jacob Porter, Plainfield’s first medical doctor, who was also an avid botanist and closely connected with leading scientists of the era, will also be on display.
In addition, the show will feature art and poetry by later and current Plainfield residents.
The opening for this two-month exhibit will be on Saturday, June 1, from 9:30 a.m. until noon, at the Shaw Memorial Library.
Flower-themed refreshments will be served. After the opening, guests are invited to participate in a nature walk, rain or shine, with naturalist Nan Childs.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. Donations to fund care of the Plainfield Historical Society and Shaw Hudson House collections will be accepted.
This program is funded in part by the Plainfield Cultural Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For more information, contact PHS curator Pleun Bouricius at 634-2250 or at
There will be a public meeting to share the draft findings of an ADA Transition Plan on accessibility of town buildings and programs in the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington and Goshen.
Prepared by the Institute for Human Centered Design, the meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 28th at 1 p.m. at the Goshen Town Hall.
Residents will hear about various accessibility issues in particular buildings, along with the recommendations for, and costs of, improvements that would remove all barriers to access.
For more information on this event, please call Anne M. Parsons, coordinator of the Cummington Council on Aging at 634-2262.
On Saturday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m., the West Cummington Congregational Church will sponsor “Stories for Dessert,” a fundraiser for the Hilltown Food Pantry.
The event will include homemade and hearty soups, local bread and potluck desserts.
The meal will be followed by a story about a “timely rescue” by Chesterfield resident and author Nan Clark.
All proceeds from participants’ free will offerings will go to the food pantry.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at fryan.gazette@gmail.com.