The monument has been cleaned up quite a lot in the decade since Dan R. was here and it looks…read morepretty spectacular. The soldier stands ready, holding his rifle nearly horizontally with bayonet attached. He is wearing the usual Union cap and cloak, sporting a pretty spectacular moustache. The main plaque also looks recent, reading "Westfield honors the memory of her sons who have fallen in defence of library, union and indepences. 1861 to 1865. Erected 1871." Another plaque has a relief of a Native American and I have no idea what that's all about. [Review 18415 overall - 1135 in Massachusetts - 1937 of 2022.]

This awesome monument honors the sons of Westfield that were killed during the Civil War. It…read moreincludes a beautifully detailed sculpture of a Yankee soldier. He has a mustache and wears a long coat, a cape, and a cap. He is holding his rifle across his body, instead of vertically, like so many other monuments I've seen. Check out that nasty looking bayonet ! There are four plaques or relief sculptures on the sides of the monument. The three smaller plaques have the names of Westfield soldiers killed during the Civil War, one has the U.S. shield with an American eagle and four flags, and one has a very cool crest with an Indian brave and a curious disembodied arm brandishing a saber. The main plaque is engraved with: Westfield honors the memory of her sons who have fallen in defence of Liberty Union and Independence 1861 to 1865. --------------- Erected 1871 The two engraved plaques are tarnished and streaked, making them difficult to read. The marker is at the intersection of Court Street (U.S. 20) and Elm Street (U.S. 202).

"Talk about the life in Massachusetts Speak about the people…read moreI have seen And the lights all went out in Massachusetts And Massachusetts is one place I have seen" (The Bee Gees) Quiz time! Q: Who was Vice President and 30th President of the United States? A: Calvin Coolidge Bonus Question Q: Before he was Vice President, what state was he a governor of? A: Massachusetts Coolidge settled in Northampton, MA after he graduated from Amherst College, and launched a legal career that led to a lifetime of public service and eventually the White House. The monument has a stone bust of the man known as "Silent Cal" sitting atop a base that lists the milestones of Coolidge's life: 1872   Born Plymouth, Vt. 1895   Graduate, Amherst College 1897   Admitted Mass. Bar Assoc. 1898   City Councilor, Northhampton 1901   City Solicitor, Northamptonton 1906, 1907   State Rep, Mass. 1909, 1910   Mayor, City Of Northampton 1911--1914   State Senator, Mass. 1913, 1914   President, Mass, Senate 1915--1917   Lt Governor, Mass. 1918 , 919   Governor, Mass. 1921--1923   Vice President, U.S.A. 1923--1929   30th President, U.S.A. 1933   Died Northampton, Mass.

Located in the City Common, this tall obelisk is tribute to the men from Leominster who fought for…read morethe Union in the Civil War. The monument is in excellent condition and is standing in the middle of the square. The sculpture was initially dedicated in 1867 and was moved here from Monument Square in 1984 as part of a redesign of the square. The monument features the names of four battles in which many Leominster men fought: Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Ball's Bluff, and Knoxville. It lists the names of 48 men who died in the war. [Review 15246 overall, 748 of 2021, number 1105 in Massachusetts.]

In 2011, the Town of Southampton erected two beautiful monuments to honor its veterans of America's…read more18th and 19th century wars. Some of those vets died 250 years ago, some before the United States was even created. How awesome is it that these long forgotten names have been immortalized? The left plaque honors those who were killed between 1744 and 1748 in King George's War, between 1754 and 1783 in the French and Indian War, and between 1775 and 1783 in the Revolutionary War. The right plaque honors those who were killed in the War of 1812, between 1861 and 1865 in the Civil War, and in 1898 in the Spanish American War. Both plaques are installed to granite slabs and sit in a pretty little park with a stone bench, flowers and landscaping.

This touching monument is dedicated to Feeding Hills native Anne Sullivan, who achieved immortality…read moreas the teacher and lifelong companion of Helen Keller. Their relationship was the subject of "The Miracle Worker" which existed as a Broadway Play, a Television Special, and a 1962 movie that won Academy Awards for Anne Bancroft (as Anne Sullivan) and Patty Duke (as Helen Keller). Sullivan taught the deaf-blind Keller to communicate by using fingertip signals to spell out words. The memorial expresses how this was done as Sullivan spelled the word "water" in one of Keller's hands while running water on her other hand. This sculpture was dedicated on June 28, 1992. It's located in a town green next to the Clifford M. Granger Elementary School. It shows Sullivan and Keller sitting on a stone slab. The fingertips of Sullivan's left hand are touching the fingertips of Keller's right hand. Sullivan is looking directly at Keller, while Keller is looking upward. Look at the tortured expression on Keller's face..... It's a very moving image that adds some local flavor to a story most of us are familiar with.

Unassuming sculpture of an underrated account in history. Were it not for these two people, tactile…read moresign language may have taken much longer to be developed enough to benefit the deaf/blind community. The actual house where she lived and taught is directly diagonal accross the intersection from here. It's the house that now serves as a bank.

I really like this library. It is very historical and it has some cool stuff at the library…read more There's a permanent display of military weapons as well as a really cool bear sculpture. The Children's library is really nice downstairs. The library staff are nice people and the atmosphere is really old but really kept up spotless.

Easthampton's Emily Williston Library and I go back 35 years, and the staff is unfailingly polite…read moreand helpful. The building is an architectural gem, and its collection seems well curated. Being able to request materials using the cwmars system gives access to a large network of libraries, so building size is not important to me. The location is convenient, and parking is generally easy except when school gets out. They were good sports when I added B to the start of their READ sign one April Fools day.

Located at the center of South Hadley Commons, the encryption describes its purpose. It reads,…read more"This monument is erected to commemorate the loyalty and patriotism of our citizen soldiers who fought for Liberty and the Union in the Great Rebellion of 1861-1865." The phrasing is formal and resolute, echoing the language of 19th-century civic pride and solemn remembrance. It's a clear statement of intent--this is not just a marker, but a tribute to local men who served in the Civil War, framed through the lens of duty and sacrifice. South Hadley sent 224 of its citizens to fight in the Civil War. Many were likely still living in town when the monument was dedicated in 1896, making it not just a tribute but a living memory for the community. The statue, believed to be the work of sculptor Jerome Connor, is part of a broader tradition across New England, where nearly every town common features a Civil War memorial--testament to the war's profound local impact. The memorial itself is modest in scale but dignified in presence. Set on a grassy rise with benches nearby, it invites quiet reflection rather than grandeur. The stonework is weathered but intact, and the names etched into its surface remain legible--a testament to the care taken in its upkeep. There are no elaborate sculptures or dramatic flourishes, just a simple obelisk form that aligns with the understated style of many small-town war memorials from the early 20th century. What stands out most is its placement: not tucked away in a cemetery or beside a courthouse, but right in the heart of the Commons, where daily life unfolds around it. Children play nearby, neighbors chat, and the monument remains a silent witness to both history and community. It's a reminder that remembrance doesn't require spectacle--just presence, intention, and a place where memory can live alongside the everyday. [Review 1128 of 2025 - 1271 in Massachusetts - 24681 overall]

A lovely community library. And in a historic building. One of the reasons I love Northampton.read more

The Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts, was established through the will of Judge Charles…read moreEdward Forbes, who died in 1881. He left $220,000 to the city to create a public library that would be free and accessible to all residents. Construction began in 1893, and the library opened in 1894. The building was designed by architect William Brocklesby in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, using Longmeadow brownstone and fireproof steel framing. It remains one of the most architecturally distinctive civic buildings in western Massachusetts. Judge Forbes was not related to the Forbes family associated with Forbes magazine or the well-known Forbes millionaire rankings. His wealth came from investments in the New Haven and Northampton Canal and later in railroads. He lived modestly, never married, and rented rooms in town. His legacy was civic rather than commercial, focused on education and public access to knowledge. The library also houses the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, reflecting its deep ties to local and national history. So while the name might suggest a connection to publishing or wealth, the Forbes Library stands as a monument to quiet generosity and intellectual accessibility. Beyond the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Museum, the Forbes Library offered a warm, welcoming space filled with quiet nooks, curated art displays, and shelves that seemed to stretch endlessly with local history, fiction, and research materials. We explored the main reading room, where natural light poured through tall windows and the original woodwork lent a sense of timeless dignity. A rotating exhibit near the entrance showcased regional artists, while tucked-away corners revealed archival maps and Northampton memorabilia. The elevator made it easy to reach the upper floors, ensuring that the library's resources and charm were accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility. [Review 1135 of 2025 - 1276 in Massachusetts - 24688 overall]