Kenneth G. Skinner Collection

1908-1928
1 box (0.25 linear foot)
Call no.: PH 080
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

Granted in 1737 and incorporated in 1754, Greenwich, Mass., was the first town in the Swift River Valley settled by Europeans. Sitting astride the East and Middle branches of the Swift River and forming the eastern boundary of Hampshire County, Greenwich was primarily an agricultural town with light manufacturing and, beginning in the later nineteenth century, an active tourist trade. The town's population peaked at over 1,100 early in the nineteenth century, declining slowly thereafter.



The photographic postcards in this collection all relate to the Quabbin town of Greenwich and were originally housed in an album of uncertain provenance. Primarily "real photo" postcards and dating between approximately 1908 and 1928, they were labeled by a knowledgeable, but unknown person at a later date to identify the houses, roads, stores, and views. Unlike many of the commercial postcards of the day, they present a very down-to-earth view of the town, its rocky fields, mills, houses and stores, and its summer hotels.

See similar SCUA collections:

Background on Greenwich, Mass.


An image of: Grist mill, Greenwich Village, Mass.

Grist mill, Greenwich Village, Mass.

Granted in 1737 and incorporated in 1754, Greenwich, Mass., was the first town in the Swift River Valley settled by Europeans. Sitting astride the East and Middle branches of the Swift River and forming the eastern boundary of Hampshire County, Greenwich was primarily an agricultural town with light manufacturing and, beginning in the later nineteenth century, an active tourist trade. The town's population peaked at over 1,100 early in the nineteenth century, declining slowly thereafter.

Scope of collection

The photographic postcards in this collection all relate to the Quabbin town of Greenwich and were originally housed in an album of uncertain provenance. Primarily "real photo" postcards and dating between approximately 1908 and 1928, they were labeled by a knowledgeable, but unknown person at a later date to identify the houses, roads, stores, and views. Unlike many of the commercial postcards of the day, they present a very down-to-earth view of the town, its rocky fields, mills, houses and stores, and its summer hotels.

Although the name of the person who assembled the album is not known, it is possible that he or she was a member of the Walker family. Two of the postcards are addressed to Freeman Walker and the handwritten caption on one image makes reference to "Uncle Will" Walker's corn crib.

Inventory

Use: letter to Freeman Walker, Hanover, Mass.

ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1928
Real photo
ca.1928
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1908
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1915
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo

Possibly Carrie Towne (per census), wife of Edmund Towne

ca.1915
Real photo

Webster M. Parker and Wife Daisy H., per census

ca.1910
Real photo

Possibly George H, Fuller, listed as preacher at the Liberal Church in 1910 census

ca.1915
Real photo

Henry D. Johnston, poultry farmer

ca.1908
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1928
Real photo
ca.1910
Real photo

Webster M. Parker, per 1910 census

ca.1910
Real photo

Addressed to Freeman Walker, 1921

ca.1910
Real photo
ca.1908
Real photo

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Gift of Kenneth G. Skinner, May 2018.

Processing Information

Processed by I. Eliot Wentworth, Feb. 2018.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Kenneth G. Skinner Collection (MS 1027). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Employers' associations--Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts--Economic conditions--20th century
  • Montague Farm Community (Mass.)

Contributors

  • Skinner, Kenneth G. [main entry]

Genres and formats

  • Newsletters

Link to similar SCUA collections