The Museum of Colrain History over the next several years plans to improve the preservation and display of its collections by lighting, signage, curatorial work, preservation; adding display cases; training docents, and, perhaps most importantly, scanning and digitizing archival papers.
The Museum’s collection comprises a number of different kinds of items:
Ross Purrington’s Meatwagon
Conveyances:
Ross Purington’s provision wagon, the sleigh for transporting guests of the Colrain Inn, a buckboard, a vintage bicycle, children’s sleds, etc.
The Town Common in stereopticon view
Documents collection:
A wide range of materials relating to Colrain’s social and economic history including journals, letters, daguerreotypes, photographs, clippings, publications, and advertisements
Treadle Sewing Machine from the Sessler family
Furniture:
18th- and 19th-century New England furniture
Items of domestic life:
appliances, housewares, ceramics, glass, and toys from Colrain homes
The Red Mill
Implements, tools, manufactured items, and documentation reflecting Colrain’s agricultural and industrial past.
Library:
Historical reference, Bibles, town reports, school books, publications, and books that are part of the Pitt Theater History collection
Paintings:
Portraits of Colrainers, 19th-century works by regional artists, and 20th-Century Boston School artworks
Textiles:
Historic clothing, quilts, flags, handcrafted rugs and samplers, and other items of Colrain heritage
Theater Collection:
G. William Pitt’s significant collection of theater history memorabilia includes items from Edwin & John Wilkes Booth, Tyrone Power, and other legendary actors