Projects
The Historical Society has two major ongoing projects in historical preservation in addition to a strong educational program.
Cemetery Restoration
With 11 cemeteries dating to 1755 and numerous Revolutionary War veterans, New Marlborough’s history is encapsulated in these remarkable historical burying grounds. The Society has been involved in restoration and repair of our historical cemeteries since 2014. Special attention has been focused on the oldest cemetery located in New Marlborough Village. This cemetery was property of the first Reverend of New Marlborough Joseph Strong, and was given to the town in 1776 as an official burying ground. Over the decades many white pine trees were allowed to grow in this cemetery resulting in significant damage to historical stones from falling branches. The society has raised thousands of dollars to remove these trees to prevent further damage to stones, and for the repair and cleaning of dozens of stones. There is much more work to be done in this cemetery as well as in the other historical cemeteries in New Marlborough.
Campbell Falls Bridge
The Campbell Falls Bridge is a beautiful keystone arch bridge constructed in the 1840s that is owned by the Town of New Marlborough. This bridge is one of the very few keystone arch bridges still in use in Berkshire County. Remarkably, this original stone bridge has been in continuous use for more than 175 years traversing the Whiting River on Campbell Falls Road. However, recently significant deterioration has occurred due to road water runoff, traffic and water penetration between the stones. Although the bridge passed state inspection in 2017, numerous problems were noted and closure may be imminent. The Society contracted with a keystone bridge expert engineering firm in 2017 to determine the repairs that will be required to keep the Campbell Falls Bridge open and preserved. A detailed report outlines all the stonework repairs that will be required, in addition to the need for new catch basins on either end of the bridge to prevent further water damage. The Society has embarked on a $200,000 capital fundraising campaign to partner with the town in the repair and preservation of this historic bridge.
Digital Preservation
The New Marlborough Historical Society holds important town documents, photographs and artifacts. Over the years, the Historical Society has become a repository of these important holdings of the past. The Historical Society now engages in digital preservation of these artifacts.
Programs
The New Marlborough Historical Society holds First Friday lectures and events in the New Marlborough Meeting House each year that highlight local and regional history. These First Friday programs have been highly successful and include topics on the industrial history of New Marlborough, Antique lanterns in use in colonial times, New Marlborough roads and byways, and Colonial Medicine to name a few.