Upcoming Events

Sophia Smith – Hatfield, Northampton, and the Founding of Smith College: A Presentation by Laurie Sanders 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 6 pm

First Congregational Church

41 Main Street, Hatfield, MA 

2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Sophia Smith’s decision to found Smith College in Northampton. To honor this milestone, Historic Northampton and the Hatfield Historical Museum will offer a special presentation about Sophia Smith's life and her decision to fund a women's college. Laurie Sanders, co-director of Historic Northampton, will discuss the factors that influenced her decision to locate the college in Northampton and not in her beloved hometown of Hatfield, as she had initially planned.

Prior to the talk, the Hatfield Historical Society will be open from 4 t0 5:45 pm to reveal its latest exhibit, Sophia Smith At Home, which features artifacts from Smith's private life. The society is located on the 2nd floor of 39 Main Street in Hatfield, near the First Congregational Church where the lecture will take place.

Reserve your place. Walk-ins welcome. 

Sliding scale admission: $5-20.

Presented by the Hatfield Historical Society in partnership with Smith College, the Hatfield Public Library, and Historic Northampton.

Learn More

Northampton Night Fest

In celebration of International Dark Sky Week 2025

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 8 to 9:30 pm

On the Grounds of Historic Northampton

46 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA

Join us for the third annual Northampton Night Fest in celebration of International Dark Sky Week 2025. Learn about the night sky from astronomer James Lowenthal, followed by a mix of stargazing and night-time exploring in and around Historic Northampton.

We will observe together the profound changes nature undergoes every 24 hours:

• the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of the temperature falling;
• the wind shifting;
• animals from birds to mammals to insects around us heading for sleep or waking up for a night’s activity;
• and, if weather permits, the stars coming out.

Special guest Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will read the City’s proclamation recognizing April 21-28, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week 2025.



All are welcome, including families with children.

Rain/cloud date: Saturday, April 26, 8:00-9:30 p.m.

Free. No registration required.

Coordinated by Northampton City Lights, a volunteer citizen organization focused on controlling light pollution in the city, in partnership with Historic Northampton.

Learn More

Image Credits:

• Smith College campus, August 8, 1883; Knowlton Brothers ph0tographers.
• Sophia Smith, 1858; Smith College Special Collections.
• Owl; photographed by James Lowenthal.

HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON

46 Bridge Street Northampton, MA 01060

info@historicnorthampton.org | 413-584-6011

Directions to Historic Northampton

www.historicnorthampton.org