History Speaks. Listen. Learn.
American History through the powerful, personal, poignant lens of local history has always captured my imagination. I joined the Northampton (MA) Historical Society when I was 13. While I continue some work there, my focus now is the Mid-Hudson Valley and Dutchess County where I live. I have had, and continue to have, non-profit board and staff roles, official municipal roles and hope to help others see the value I so readily see. This an open workspace, please comment. ~ Bill Jeffway
Recent Exhibitions, Books, Videos Produced
Pre-Civil War Rural African American Experience in Mid-Hudson Valley
Northampton, MA Topics
Milan, Dutchess County, NY
Video Library
Yeoman's Cemetery
Milan Post Offices
I have always found local history rich in experience and reward, giving context and perspective across time, geography, and community. I hope to help others understand similarly, as a powerful, accessible means of learning.
In addition to understanding common, shared experiences across generations and centuries, I find it fascinating to come to understand the degree to which we all perceive historical “facts” and embed them in narratives shaped by our own biases (consciously or unconsciously) which in turn gives us an insight into ourselves.
One of my favorite quotes: [We] map what we see, marking some features, ignoring others. History is not the past, but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view to be useful to the modern traveler.~Henry Glassie, Professor of Folklore.
Bill Jeffway
