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Wistariahurst Museum
Wistariahurst Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the former home of William Skinner and his family featuring parquet floors, vaulted ceilings, elaborate woodwork and two marble lions that have guarded the entrance since the late nineteenth century. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Holyoke and to inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, exhibits and special events.
| hours: | Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons from 12 - 4 p.m. |
| admission: | $5, $3 for students and seniors |
| location: | Wistariahurst Museum 238 Cabot Street Holyoke, MA 01040 |
| web: | www.wistariahurst.org |
Upcoming events
September Gallery Exhibit: Provocateur: New Works by Dean Nimmer
This September, Wistariahurst’s Gallery will feature the works of Holyoke resident Dean Nimmer, an eclectic artist who works in several mediums, art techniques and painting styles all at the same time. As he puts it, "I may have a form of art schizophrenia that causes me to continually change my subject matter and move in different directions constantly without worrying about maintaining a 'style' of painting.”
Nimmer was the Chairman of the Foundations program and head of the 2D Fine Arts department at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston where he holds the title of Professor Emeritus. He has conducted hands-on workshops based on his art from intuition creativity techniques at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, and James Madison Universities, and at the Central Academy of Art and Design, China, Burren College of Art, Ireland, and at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia. Nimmer’s works have been shown in more than 200 solo and group exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally in China, Japan, Australia, Spain, Ireland, Germany, and France.
Nimmer is the author of Art from Intuition, a book published by Watson/Guptill, 2008. This book is a culmination of his teaching career that focused on helping artists and art students overcome the obstacles and fears that block creativity. Winner of over 20 national awards for his art and teaching, Dean Nimmer was granted the “2010, Distinguished Teaching of Art Award” given by the 16,000-member College Art Association.
Dean Nimmer showcases new mixed media works that are bound to stimulate your eye and imagination. Meet Dean Nimmer at the Opening Reception on Thursday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Exhibit on view through September.
| when: | For the month of September |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission to the gallery $3 |
Victorian Ballroom Dancing
The Italianate style Music Room at Wistariahurst creates an inviting atmosphere for a Victorian Ball. Observe and learn to dance the Quadrille, Mazurka, Victorian Waltz or Polka. In this dance workshop, the Victorian Quadrille Orchestra will perform original, composed music of the Victorian era accompanied by a dance troupe dressed in costumes circa 1880’s. Each dance’s history will be discussed and then performed. The performance is followed by a how-to session for one of the Victorian dances. Supported in part by a grant from the Holyoke Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Reservations necessary as space is limited.
| when: | Friday, September 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Suggested donation $10 |
Double the Dinos: Kids Explore Holyoke’s Tracks!
The Trustees of Reservations and Wistariahurst Museum will host an afternoon of fossil discovery and fun for kids! The Trustees of Reservations preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value, caring for more than 100 special places – nearly 25,000 acres – all across Massachusetts.
On September 11, walk where the dinosaurs walked! Explore the Route 5 dinosaur tracks with an experienced Trustees guide, and then participate in several activities that put you in the part of dinosaur, archaeologist, and historian, all in one day. The day will culminate with a look at the dinosaur tracks located at Wistariahurst, made by the Eubrontes dinosaur as well as others. The Eubrontes was an ancestor of the great Tyrannosaurus rex and roamed the shores of the lake that occupied the Connecticut River Valley 190 million years ago. Learn how the Eubrontes tracks made it onto the sandstone driveway of the Wistariahurst grounds as this exciting day comes to a close.
| when: | Saturday, September 11 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Cost is $7 per child, call the Museum to register |
Dúo Fusión in Concert at Wistariahurst
Dúo Fusión’s specialties are classical and jazz, but they also delve into bossa nova, tango and stirring traditional music from around the world.
Sarah Swersey (flute) and Joe Belmont (guitar) are sought after for concerts and recitals around New England. Sarah has enlivened the great concert halls of Europe and America, performing orchestral and chamber music. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, with a master’s degree from Yale University School of Music, she spent seven years as principal flutist of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. Joe, widely recognized as one of the finest guitarists in New England, plays an extraordinarily broad range of styles -- classical, jazz, flamenco, and rock, to name a few. He has a degree in composition from the City University of New York and is on the performance faculty at Amherst College.
Performing together, Sarah and Joe create tastefully gorgeous and memorable sounds as Dúo Fusión.
| when: | Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets $15, $12 students and seniors |
Wistariahurst Gardeners' Plant Swap
Come to this fun and friendly plant swap on the grounds of Wistariahurst, This is a rain or shine event except in case of heavy rain. Bring any type of labeled plant or plants, along with your own chair, and let the fun begin! What should you bring? Plants such as perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, cuttings, bulbs, seeds, etc. How does the plant swap work? Arrive at 6:00 p.m. with labeled plants to swap and a chair. At 6:15 p.m. the swap begins and finishes when nothing is left to trade. You may bring as many plants as you wish and at the end of the swap, there will be a raffle.
Children are welcome, but must be supervised by an adult. No pets and no smoking please. Plant swaps are presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners and Western Mass Master Gardeners
| when: | Wednesday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. |
| where: | On the grounds at Wistariahurst |
| price: | $2 donation |
Cynthia Sayer’s Banjo Spectacular Concert
Wistariahurst welcomes renowned musician Cynthia Sayer for a concert in the Music Room. Sayer is regarded as one of the top 4-string banjoists in the world today. A member of Woody Allen’s jazz band for over 10 years, Cynthia’s solo career has taken her well beyond her New Orleans roots to become an acclaimed bandleader and guest artist. She has a unique and expansive approach to the instrument which is all her own, and she is also a respected vocalist. Cynthia has worked with a variety of leading jazz and popular artists such as Dick Hyman, Wynton Marsalis, Bill Cosby, Les Paul, Wycliffe Gordon, Marvin Hamlisch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and has played with some top bluegrass/roots/country artists.
Cynthia's extensive career includes performances in New York City's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, appearing with The New York Philharmonic, and numerous national TV and radio show appearances in the USA and abroad. She plays at many music festivals in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Cynthia has accumulated numerous awards and honors, including induction into the National Banjo Hall of Fame. Her most recent CD release, Attractions, which includes legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, received two 2009 award nominations. She is also a subject of a PBS documentary about the banjo, expected to air in 2011. On Saturday, September 18 Cynthia will present a toe-tapping show that ranges from hot swing to tango, western, virtuoso classics, and more -- with Mike Weatherly on string bass, plus some guest players. You don’t want to miss this amazing performance.
| when: | Saturday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Suggested Donation $15 Adults / $10 seniors & students |
Season Opening of Chamber Music at Wistariahurst: Fantaisie: French Impressions in Music and Painting
The French would call this “son et lumiere,” sound and light. Scientists would call it “synaesthesia,” a blending of the senses. We call it “French Impressions.”
The Chamber Music Society at Wistariahurst opens its fourth season in the Belle Skinner Music Room with a special program that combines music and art—19th-century French music and paintings. The society’s musicians will perform songs and instrumental works by Chabrier, Chaminade, Faure, Debussy, Ravel, and Poulenc, among others, to the accompaniment of projected images of Impressionist paintings by Manet, Monet, Rousseau, and others.
Among the highlights are pianist cellist Astrid Schween and pianist Estela Olevsky in Ravel’s “Vocalise-etude” and “Kaddisch,” in arrangements for cello and piano; clarinetist David Schneider and pianist Monica Jakuc Leverett in Albert Roussel’s “Aria,” and soprano Junko Watanabe and tenor Peter W. Shea in duets by Faure and Poulenc. Other performers are baritone David Perkins, flutist Maria Scotera, mezzo-soprano Eileen Ruby, harpist Franziska Huhn, and pianists Edward Rosser and Alissa Leiser. Light refreshments served.
| when: | Sunday, September 19 at 3:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $15 |
Master Class: Drawing from Intuition with Artist Dean Nimmer
On Wednesday evening, September 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Dean Nimmer will lead a Master Class: Drawing From Intuition.The artist will give a demonstration in a hands-on workshop that draws inspiration from Art from Intuitionfor the class. All supplies provided. Reservations suggested. Class is limited. Please call (413) 322-5660.
| when: | Wednesday, September 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Fee $10 |
Mysteries of the Mansion
Calling All Detectives for a Scavenger Hunt!
Are you good at deciphering clues, extracting evidence and following trails? Then the Mysteries of the Mansion Scavenger Hunt may be just the activity for you. Teams of detectives will gather at Wistariahurst Museum to scour the mansion for answers to riddles and clues. Have fun solving puzzles and learning about the Skinner Family and Wistariahurst Museum’s collections at the same time. Come dressed as your favorite gumshoe and get ready for an evening of puzzles and fun that will culminate with answers and prizes. The fun and games begin promptly at 7 p.m. in the Carriage House. Please call to make reservations for your team or as an individual.
| when: | Friday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Registration is $20 per team of 4 or $6 per individual (to be placed on a team) |
October Gallery Exhibit – Holyoke: Queen of the Industrial Cities
This exhibit highlights Holyoke and tells the story of the Industrial Revolution's impact on the town. Explore Holyoke’s unique beginnings as an industrial center and learn about the city’s role in the industrial boom of Massachusetts. Artifacts on display include photographs by Milan P Warner (Holyoke photographer of the 1890s), maps, and historic documents. Warner, a Holyoke photographer in the 1880s and 1890s, captured beautiful black and white images of the town during its first industrial boom.
| when: | the month of October |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission to the gallery $3 |
Opening Reception of Holyoke: Queen of the Industrial Cities
Join us for a peak at the beautiful Holyoke images captured in the late 19th century. Learn about the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the town.
| when: | Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission $3 |
Garden Talk: Putting the Garden to Sleep
The harvesting is done and fall is here. Master Gardener Jacqueline Clark will talk about what needs to be done to prepare your garden for its winter sleep and how by taking these steps the garden will be healthier when it’s time for spring planting. Garden Talks are Presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners and Western Mass Master Gardeners.
| when: | Wednesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum Carriage House |
| price: | All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration at Wistariahurst Museum and will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. |
From Eternity to Here: Egyptian Mummies in Victorian America
“The records show that the Holyoke paper Manufactory received 15,000 yards of
these mummy wrappers.” Mummies in Holyoke you ask? S.J. Wolfe, senior
cataloguer at the American Antiquarian Society, author and an independent
researcher in mummyology will give an illustrated presentation based on her
book Mummies in Nineteenth Century America. Join us on Saturday, October 16, at
2:00 p.m. for a revealing presentation as Wolfe uncovers the mysteries of mummy
unwrappings and the making of paper collars from mummy cloth. Books will be available
for sale and to be signed by author.
| when: | Saturday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission $5 Adult / $3 Students & Seniors |
Historic Cemetery Tour
Gravestone inscriptions, monuments of remembrance, and family plots will be the topic of conversation for a walking tour of Forestdale Cemetery. Penni Martorell, Curator and City Historian will lead the tour, pointing out plots of interest, and revealing the many connections the interred had with the City of Holyoke. The tour will leave Wistariahurst Museum Carriage House for a short stroll to Forestdale Cemetery promptly at 6:00 p.m. Please arrive at 5:45 p.m. with comfortable walking shoes, and weather appropriate attire. Please call to reserve your spot.
| when: | Tuesday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission $7 |
Historical Lecture: Filming in the Trenches of WW1: Perils and Surprises
Ed & Libby Klekowski, producers of "Yanks Fight the Kaiser" will give an insider’s look at the making of the documentary "Yanks Fight the Kaiser: A National Guard Division in WW1." A discussion how battlefield archaeology, 90 year-old archival war motion picture footage, historic still photographs and old memoirs were researched to develop a narrative telling the story of the Yankee Division in WW1. Included will be sites and stories relevant to Holyoke's participation in the Great War.
| when: | Sunday, October 24 at 3:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission $3 |
The Unhappy History of Witchcraft
Dr. Donald D’Amato, Springfield Technical Community College adjunct professor, returns to Wistariahurst with a talk about one of his favorite subjects: witchcraft and its effects on Europe and the colonies. Professor D’Amato has been teaching history in the Valley for over 40 years. He’ll discuss how people tend to misinterpret witchcraft by romanticizing its history and making it exciting. Don’t miss this bewitching lecture on Monday, October 25 at 6:00 p.m.
| when: | Monday, October 25 at 6:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission $5 Adult / $3 Students & Seniors |
Call for Models - Fashion Show: Ladies of All Ages Need Apply!
Do you love fashion, vintage clothing and strutting the runway? We are looking for females, sizes 2 to 12 who would like to model vintage clothing pieces for a fashion show at Wistariahurst on Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. The event is part of a program piece for Follow the Thread, a cultural exhibit on display at the museum throughout December. A fit session will take place in October for those interested in participating in November fashion show.
Models of mixed ages is ideal—so bring a friend, grandmother, sister or neighbor who might also be a candidate. Artist Jacqueline Cooper will match clothing styles with models and accessories. The modeled clothing will be described in detail by fashion show narrator Deborah Miller. Deborah Miller, an independent appraiser specializing exclusively in textiles and clothing. She works with private foundations, estates and individuals appraising the treasures in their closets that have been passed down through generations. Deborah works throughout the country and is delighted that clothing is gaining the recognition it deserves as both an appreciative collectible and an art form. To sign up as a model, please call Marjorie Latham at 413-322-5660 or email lathamm@ci.holyoke.ma.us.
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
A Two-Cycle Recital Featuring Steve Curylo & Nikki Stoia
Baritone Steve Curylo, accompanied by Nikki Stoia, will present two popular and beloved song cycles: Schumann's Dichterliebe (Poet's Love) and Vaughan Williams' Songs of Travel. Born in Springfield MA, Steve Curylo studied opera at Hartt College of Music and was a student of New York City Opera baritone William Metcalf for 22 years. He is currently baritone soloist at South Congregational Church in Springfield. Nikki Stoia is the conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra choral ensemble. A coach/accompanist, piano soloist, singer and conductor, she is known for her musical versatility, with repertoire that encompasses traditional and contemporary classical and popular music. Sponsored by the Friends of Wistariahurst and supported in part by a grant from the Holyoke Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
| when: | Sunday, November 7 at 3:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $10 |
Garden Talk: Holiday Decorations
Master Gardener Martha Hamilton will give a talk about using what’s in the backyard to make beautiful arrangements for Thanksgiving, New Years and holidays in between. Martha will demonstrate how to make a lovely twig goose to complement the holiday table! Garden Talks are Presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners and Western Mass Master Gardeners.
| when: | Wednesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum Carriage House |
| price: | All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration at Wistariahurst Museum and will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. |
November Exhibition in the Gallery – Follow the Thread: A Cultural History
This multimedia exhibit portrays, in pictures and words, a layered history of America’s Jewish Immigrants and the Birth of the Garment Industry. Enhanced with costumes of different eras, the exhibit presents a timeline revealing social culture combined with the fashion industry. This vibrant portrayal of the spirit of the Jewish people is created by Jacqueline Cooper. An Opening Reception will take place Thursday, November 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with music and refreshments.
| when: | the month of November |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission TBA |
Follow the Thread Exhibit Opening Reception
On display in the Gallery in November & December:
Follow the Thread tells the story of Jewish immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, events unfolding simultaneously on two continents, and the significance of their relationship to one another with the garment industry as a vehicle.
Before the mid 19th century, clothing, worldwide, was handmade. “Ready-made” clothing began, in America, with the immigration of Central and Eastern European Jews. The influx of Jewish tailors, dressmakers, inventors and entrepreneurs began and grew the “ready-made” menswear industry. Following that trend, Eastern European Jews are credited with creating a system of providing affordable and stylish “ready-made” clothing for women. The growth of the Jewish immigrant population along with the increased demand for clothing production, paralleled the garment industry’s response with ready-made tailored garments of standardized sizes. From hoop cage skirts and undergarments to blouse waist sets, two-piece dressing, suits and mini-dress, Follow the Thread explores the influence of the Jewish community in developing and adapting tailoring and fashion design. By the early 1900s, women were emerging as a dominant force in the industry as designers, marketers, forecasters and journalists. They understood what their peers wanted to wear.
Follow the Thread was created by Jacqueline Cooper, a multimedia artist and photographer. Her work includes portraiture, and the portrayal of personal stories and cultural histories through image and word. She worked as a designer in the garment industry from 1970 through 2004 and was inspired by her Eastern European grandparents, Jewish immigrants from Odessa and Minsk. The exhibit is as beautiful as it is informative.
The exhibition opens on Thursday, November 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a reception featuring music and a video presentation. As part of the exhibition, a fashion show will take place on Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. featuring significant pieces of ready-made clothing for each decade spanning 100 years.
| when: | Thursday, November 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Admission TBA |
Holyoke Uncorked: Wine Tasting to Benefit Wistariahurst
Wistariahurst will host a wine tasting in the elegant atmosphere of the Skinner Mansion. The Ted Wirt Jazz Quintet will provide a musical backdrop for the evening. The event is sponsored by Liquors44. All proceeds will benefit Wistariahurst Museum.
| when: | Friday, November 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Advance tickets are $25 each / $40 couple; Tickets at the door are $30 each / $50 couple |
Chamber Music at Wistariahurst: LATE HARVEST: SIXTH ANNUAL SCHUBERTIAD
The Chamber Music Society at Wistariahurst makes its sixth annual visit to a music room in early 19th-century Vienna, and to the intimate and stirring music of Franz Schubert. Our program includes three of Schubert’s magnificent masterpieces, all presented for the first time in this series: The Shepherd on the Rock (with soprano Junko Watanabe, clarinetist David Schneider, and pianist Monica Jakuc Leverett), the Fantasie, for piano, four hands (played by Ms. Jakuc Leverett and Tanya Blaich), and, in the second half, the first three movements of the exquisite Octet, a rarely heard work for woodwinds and strings (with Sarah Briggs, violin, Amy Bateman, violin, Wayne Smith, cello, Hillary Tanaka, viola, Wayne Smith, ’cello, and Yasu Suzuki, double bass, David Schneider, clarinet, Will Safford, bassoon, and Jean Jeffries, French horn). Members of the Schubertians chorus will open with what has become a traditional work on these programs, the Schicksalslenker, a hymn of thanksgiving.
Free refreshments at intermission.
| when: | Sunday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $15 |
Follow the Thread Fashion Show
Join us for a multi-generational fashion show event tied to the Follow the Thread Exhibit created by Jackie Cooper. From hoop cage skirts and undergarments to blouse waist sets, suits and mini-dresses, ladies will be strutting their stuff in vintage looks narrated by Deborah Miller—fashion historian and independent appraiser specializing exclusively in textiles and clothing .
| when: | Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets TBA |
Save the Date for Friends of Wistariahurst Winter Holiday Party!
| when: | Saturday, December 4 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $30, $25 for members of Friends of Wistariahurst. |
Garden Talk: Garden Path to Conservation
Master Gardener Toi Graham will talk about a survey of conservation techniques for use in the garden to reduce the need for water, chemicals and polluting equipment. Toi will discuss new types of low growing grasses that require less mowing, use of native plants, and construction of rain gardens. Garden Talks are Presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners and Western Mass Master Gardeners.
| when: | Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum Carriage House |
| price: | All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration at Wistariahurst Museum and will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. |
Nutcracker & Sweets
Wistariahurst welcomes back Massachusetts Academy of Ballet & members of the Ballet Educational Training Association for a magical performance with a Skinner twist on a holiday classic! Advance reservations are recommended; seating is limited. Reception of sweets to follow the performance.
| when: | Show times are Friday, December 10 at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 11 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $10 / children 12 and under are free |
Boston String Quartet Returns with Holiday Cheer!
The Boston String Quartet celebrates the holiday season with songs from their album On Christmas Eve, recorded with help of students and faculty from School of Groove, where the quartet is currently Ensemble-in-Residence.
| when: | Friday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Tickets are $15 / $12 Students & Seniors |
Victorian Crafts for the Holidays
Celebrate the holidays by crafting ornaments and gifts in the decorative splendor of Wistariahurst Museum. Participants of all ages will employ Victorian techniques by making fresh orange pomanders decorated with clove designs, embellished gift boxes and paper lanterns to hang from ceilings or on trees. Reservations necessary.
| when: | Saturday, December 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. |
| where: | Wistariahurst Museum |
| price: | Fee $5 per person |