SOUTH DEERFIELD — Growing up in town, Alicia Carvalho never learned much about the place she called home.
Well, there were all the history lessons and tours of Old Deerfield, but never of South Deerfield.
So when a couple of older customers came in to work a few months ago talking about the soda shop in town that they used to go to when they were kids, it piqued her curiosity.
Soon the assistant office manager for the South Deerfield branch of Greenfield Savings Bank began digging up newspaper archives and asking around to learn more about her backyard.
These interests have led to a full-on gallery of historic photos and clippings from South Deerfield at the bank’s branch on North Main Street. On Friday, the bank first showcased all of the work and it will now be on display to visitors through the end of July.
As she began to put up the photos — most of which were brought over by the Deerfield Historical Commission and others donated by customers of the bank — the stories began to come alive.
A woman who had moved here about 10 years ago said, “That’s my house!” while waiting in line at the bank, Carvahlo recalled. Another woman pointed to a photo and said, “That’s my grandpa and that’s my uncle,” she added.
“It’s made me more proud to grow up in this community knowing the rich history we had,” Carvahlo said. “But it also made me a little sad I didn’t grow up then.”
Carvahlo has been learning about the history of the town, like when it used to have a roller rink and a burgeoning hotel scene.
A lot of her knowledge has come from her discovery of the town’s Historical Commission. She was connected with commission member Kenneth Schoen, who brought the bank photos and memorabilia on loan, most of which was gifted to the commission following the passing of longtime unofficial town historian Elizabeth “Betty” Hollingsworth.
“What this exhibit also shows is the history of the past can be present again,” Schoen said.
What he was getting at was the idea that the downtown is on its way to being a buzz again. Schoen rattled off newcomers like Cieuslik’s Market, new developments like the new Cumberland Farms being built, the granola company moving in and the likely move of duMONT to town.
There’s a lot going on in Deerfield, Schoen said, and with a reflection of the photos of old and prosperous times, he hopes the history can help motivate residents.
A part of the conversation is the more people learn about their town, the more likely they are to engage with local government. Schoen hopes people will join town committees and commissions, which are almost always looking for additional hands.
“There are a lot of people who have lived here their whole life, but there are so many people who are moving here, and I felt it was important they know about everything that happened,” Carvalho added.
Greenfield Savings Bank President John Howland simply put it, “We love being a part of this community,” and showcasing history and local art is “just part of what we do.”
At Friday’s opening, the bank featured food from local sources, the village’s Gianni Fig’s Ristorante and the soon-to-come Bittersweet Bakery, other examples of the continued growth of Deerfield, a point of pride for those involved with this project.
“We have to value our history and think about our history going forward,” Schoen said.