Latest news with #SpringfieldMuseums
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Exhibit explores Springfield's witch panic that occurred years before Salem
SPRINGFIELD — Years before people accued of being witches were tortured, tried and hanged in Salem, witch hysteria swept through Springfield when a prominent couple began acting strangely in the eyes of suspicious citizens. A new exhibit at the Springfield Museums called 'Witch Panic! Massachusetts before Salem' explores the case against Hugh and Mary Parsons. William Pynchon, a businessman from outside Boston, and six other men founded Springfield 1636. As people settled into this town of around 100 citizens, there was a series of unexplained events that spooked nearly everyone, prompting whispers of evil spirits and witches. 'It's hard to pin down an exact place when a story like this starts because it's so dependent on fear and anxieties,' said Elizabeth Kapp, curator of history at the museums. While there was nothing strange about adults falling ill in new settlements, it was unsettling when children got sick and died —especially when they were related to the founding and religious elite. Pynchon's granddaughters, Sarah and Margaret Smith, became gravely ill and died in 1648. George Moxon, the settlement's minister, spent the winter of 1651 nursing his daughters back to health. Martha and Rebecca Moxon were seriously sick in December and January but ultimately survived. And then there was the unspeakable case of the missing cow's tongue. Anthony Dorchester, a boarder living with the Parsons, had set upon cooking stew with a cow's tongue. But while he was in church, it disappeared, and that sent tongues wagging. Nervous citizens began laying blame for their problems on the Parsons. 'One of the more prevalent stories that was repeated several times throughout both Mary and Hugh's trial was this story about a dinner that mysteriously vanished,' said Kapp. 'There's also stories of strange weather patterns and animals falling ill when usually they're quite healthy.' Kapp said the Parsons became easy targets of suspicion. Hugh was a brickmaker, and while his services were desperately needed, people found him to be prickly and off-putting. 'His skills were necessary, but his social interactions don't seem to have fit into societal expectations,' Kapp said. 'There are stories of him promising to fulfill brick orders and then he misses those deadlines. Upon being reminded of these deadlines, he's wishing ill upon people who ordered the bricks.' Mary Parsons was a divorced woman from Wales who received special permission from religious leaders to be seen as a 'formally independent woman' because 'divorce was not a thing' in those days, Kapp said. When she moved to Massachusetts, she began working for Pynchon, but even her professional relationship with him could not protect her from scurrilous accusations of witchcraft. 'Mary was also looking for answers to these mysterious events and accused someone else of witchcraft,' Kapp said. 'The problem: That wasn't taken as an accusation of witchcraft. It went to court as a slander trial.' Parsons lost the case and was ordered to pay the defamed woman three pounds in silver or 24 bushels of corn. 'But it also meant the town of Springfield started wondering: Why was Mary Parsons looking for witches? Why does Mary Parsons know so much about witchcraft?' Kapp said. Parsons was arrested on Feb. 26, 1651, Her husband was arrested the next day. Their cases began in Springfield but were moved to Boston where the couple was jailed while awaiting their trials. 'She was tried on May 8, 1651, and was charged with two crimes, for having familiarity with the devil as a witch, and for willingly and most wickedly murdering her own child,' said Kapp. Parsons was acquitted on charges of witchcraft but plead guilty to the killing, something that was never proved. 'There was no way to know one way or the other,' Kapp said, because Parsons died shortly after the trial and the court simply accepted her confession. Hugh Parsons languished in jail for 15 months until he was tried. A lower court found him guilty of witchcraft, but the verdict was overturned on appeal. After his exoneration, he moved with his remaining daughter to Rhode Island. All of this happened 40 years before the infamous Salem witch trials. 'The events in Springfield have been called by historian Malcolm Gaskell the first American witch panic because they truly consumed the entire town. That helped set a scene that led to Salem, because in Salem, we see basically what happened in Springfield, but exponentially growing,' Kapp said. While the Springfield Museums features many traveling exhibits, 'Witch Panic' was curated by Kapp and a team of around a dozen employees working in the museums' collections, exhibits and archives. Kapp said they based their exhibit on dozens of sources and 'hundreds and hundreds of pages' of documentation, including original notes William Pynchon took while speaking with his fellow citizens at the time. The exhibit is on display now through Nov. 2 at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. Springfield Museums president and CEO Kay Simpson said she hopes the sprawling, two floor display helps the city capitalize on America's fascination of witches. 'It's a very important historical moment. It happened here and we were part of this fabric that was taking place in Massachusetts in the 1600's,' she said. 'It also points to how the image of witches has changed over the years. There's something inherently interesting about witches and witchcraft.' Gov. Healey at Mount Holyoke: 'This is a moment that clarifies our values' Speed bumps petition gains support after child killed by car in Springfield Number of older homeless adults increased nearly 20% this year in Hampden County 'His mercy was never returned': Jordan Cabrera sentenced to 12-15 years for fatally shooting Jahvante Perez Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Witch Panic!' exhibit coming to Springfield Museums, exploring the city's forgotten witch trials
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A new exhibition at the Springfield Museums aims to resurrect an overlooked chapter of history. Long before the infamous hysteria of Salem gripped colonial Massachusetts, Springfield had its chilling brush with witchcraft panic. Thousands of pounds of paper recycled on Pittsfield's Community Shred Day 'Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem' opens May 17 at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History and runs through November 2. The immersive, interactive exhibition explores the 1651 witchcraft accusations against Springfield couple Hugh and Mary Parsons — a full four decades before Salem became synonymous with the term 'witch hunt.' (Courtesy of Springfield Museums) (Courtesy of Springfield Museums) (Courtesy of Springfield Museums) (Courtesy of Springfield Museums) 'This story predates Salem and reveals how fear, isolation, and suspicion can shape a community's response to crisis,' said Elizabeth Kapp, Curator of History at the Museums. 'Witches are an extraordinary historical conundrum, and in the Parsons' story, we explore the truths behind the myths.' Located on the edge of the colonial frontier, early Springfield in the mid-1600s was a small settlement perched on the Connecticut River, where life was shaped by wilderness, uncertainty, and strong religious belief. It was during this tense period that the Parsons, already considered unusual by their neighbors, were accused of witchcraft and murder amid a series of unexplained illnesses and misfortunes in the town. The exhibition is divided into two main sections across two floors. On the first level, visitors will be introduced to daily life in 1650s Springfield–from homes and farms to religious life and local customs. Interactive displays demonstrate how common household objects like broomsticks and cauldrons came to symbolize witchcraft, while children and families can enjoy hands-on activities such as assembling puzzles of so-called 'familiars,' creatures believed to serve witches. Broomsticks Witch Panic! Broomsticks Witch Panic! Broomsticks Witch Panic! Broomsticks Witch Panic! The second level focuses on the Parsons case itself, inviting visitors to step into the role of a 17th-century grand juror. Through firsthand witness testimony, period evidence, and a dramatic re-creation of the courtroom atmosphere, guests will be asked to weigh the evidence and cast a verdict. Running concurrently with Witch Panic! is 'Yōkai: Japanese Ghosts, Demons and Monsters', on view May 17 through July 20. This companion exhibition showcases traditional Japanese woodblock prints and artifacts depicting supernatural entities from Japanese folklore — from shape-shifting foxes to vengeful spirits — and traces their enduring presence in modern pop culture. For more information and tickets, visit Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Congressman Neal hosts Academy Day information session for youth seeking military careers
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Congressman Richard Neal hosted the 2025 Academy Day information session inside the Springfield Museums on Sunday. Season finale concert held at Springfield Symphony Orchestra Currently, the United States Military, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies are in need of nominations. Academy Day helps interested students determine if a military service academy or a similar education path is something they want to pursue. In order to qualify, students learned that they must be involved in extracurricular activities while having a high SAT score and GPA. Congressman Neal said they're looking to nominate aspiring candidates to serve our country. 'These are individuals who generally aspire to military academies, maybe when they're 14 or 15 years old,' Neal said. 'The process is arduous, it's a family commitment that has to be made.' During the forum, Congressman Neal recognized four local students who were accepted to service academies this summer. Three of them are joining the military academy, with one going to the Navy academy and another going to the Merchant Marines. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Springfield Museums celebrate Earth Day with eco-friendly education and activities
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Museums celebrated Earth Day on Sunday, and visitors of all ages were able to participate in the event. The museums celebrated Earth Day with eco-friendly demonstrations and activities to inspire guests to do their part in helping the environment. Earth Day: How to celebrate our planet, protect its future 'A way we usher in the springtime, and there is a lot of environmental exhibitors that are teaching people about what they can do to enjoy the outdoors, and also activities they can do to make the world a better place,' said Daniel Augustino, Aquarium Curator at the Springfield Museums. Environmental organizations were also in attendance and had tables set up with information on ways people can be nature-friendly. While there was a lot of educational information provided, there were also interactive activities to get the visitors immersed in the environment Visitors could learn about different types of trees and take home a seedling to plant. They also learned how to make paper and even build their own birdhouse with help from local Boy Scouts. 'I usually build garden beds for gardening,' said Angel Bautista of Springfield. 'I do gardening at home too, I've been gardening for five years, so birds, stuff like that, is part of my hobbies. I have a passion for that.' The Boy Scouts helped the community be able to observe the wildlife outside, one handmade birdhouse at a time. The day was topped off with a performance by the Landfill Bluegrass Band. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Springfield Museums ‘Van Gogh For All' allows visitors to step into famous paintings
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Local students on spring break got to experience a unique and interactive Vincent Van Gogh art exhibit at the Springfield Museums. This exhibit was a one-of-a-kind experience for many. It featured several life-size three-dimensional versions of Van Gogh's 19th-century paintings. Many were able to step into the paintings and become part of his artwork. They were seen posing for photos in one of the artist's famous landscape paintings, or standing in a recreated version of his art piece 'The Bedroom'. The exhibit also offered a space for kids to get creative and make their own art. Stations were set up for drawing a still life or a portrait. 'We want, you know, science and technology, all of those things to be pushed and to have kids interact with art and learn more about that,' said Abby Garner, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums. 'But it's good to also keep in mind, all of those things play a role in developing literacy skills or even just developing individual children's interests.' Other interactive elements in the exhibit included a 12-foot-wide electronic version of the iconic Starry Night. Many also got to watch a planetarium show of this painting. They got to discover the planets and stars that lit up the sky in late 19th-century France and the Netherlands when Van Gogh painted them in striking blues and yellows. If you can't make it to the exhibit now, it runs until September 14. It is free with museum admission. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
