AMHERST — A statewide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States will begin in Amherst with the opening of a new exhibit at the Amherst History Center focused on the American Revolution.
“In Defense of our Just Rights & Liberties: Amherst in the Revolution” is opening at the 45 Boltwood Walk site June 25, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibit will show how the Revolutionary War played out in Amherst through the voices of residents who lived at that time, drawing from primary source documents.
“It’s been a privilege to get to know the residents of 18th century Amherst, who, in many ways, are not that different from those of today,” said Gigi Barnhill, president of the Amherst Historical Society. Barnhill has curated the exhibit.
There will be familiar names, such as the Dickinson family, as well as less common stories, such as the role of women in the war efforts and the experiences of Black and Indigenous soldiers. At the time, Amherst was divided between revolutionaries and loyalists.
The exhibit is supported by the Amherst Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is part of Massachusetts 250, the statewide celebration of events that led to American independence.
Other upcoming events to celebrate the 250th anniversary include the Amherst Community Band featuring American patriotic music in Sweetser Park on June 27, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of Town Hall July 4 at noon and an immersive audio theater piece created by local dramaturg John Bechtold on July 18.
Food drive
A food drive is being held at the Moan & Dove, 460 West St., Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
The event is organized by the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts, the Amherst Survival Center and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center.
Those putting on the food drive observe that food security is part of immigration justice.
Call to action
Lamikco “Meka” Magee, the dean of students at Amherst Regional High School, recently called on the Regional School Committee to take action on behalf of African-American staff, especially those at the middle school, who continue to face racism and racial discrimination.
“The district still has not taken the issue of racial discrimination seriously,” Magee said, adding that there is no mandated training on antiracism or relevant curriculum.
“Black staff at ARMS are being policed to the point where they are under constant duress,” Magee said.
She added that nearly two dozen Black staff throughout the district have left, with more departing, and those who remain have experienced investigations, reprimands and violations of the law and contract.
Irene LaRoche, a middle school social studies teacher, said she came to Amherst because it was undoing racism and had robust training.
“It’s gone, we’re not doing anti-racist work anymore, and it’s affecting our students and it’s affecting our staff, and I’m asking you to bring it back,” LaRoche said.
Georgia Malcolm, another staff member, said it’s the responsibility of human resources to do a better job of recruiting a diverse staff, adding that she worries students of color are often being treated as criminals.
Business expo
The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2026 Amherst Area Business Expo on June 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., under an event tent at the Inn on Boltwood.
More than 30 local exhibitors will be on hand with product demonstrations, samples and giveaways.
“This event puts emerging and growing businesses in the same room as established employers, community partners and neighbors who want to shop local and build relationships,” said Jacob Robinson, the chamber’s executive director.
“For me the Expo is an opportunity to creatively promote my business, meet collaborators, learn about new resources, and find the people who are genuinely interested in investing in others’ success,” said Jennifer Faulkner, founder of the Innovate Culture Lab.
Registration is encouraged at amherstarea.com/business-expo.
Summer solstice
The public is invited to witness sunrise and sunset at the standing stones at the Sunwheel at the University of Massachusetts on Sunday.
The morning gathering for summer solstice begins at 5 a.m., shortly before sunrise at 5:13 a.m., and the evening gathering begins at 7:30 p.m., about an hour before sunset at 8:30 p.m.
At the gatherings, UMass astronomer Grant Wilson will discuss the astronomical cause of the sun’s changing position in the sky during the year and will also explain the seasonal positions of Earth, the sun and moon, phases of the moon and the building of the Sunwheel, located just off Rocky Hill Road in Hadley.
Meetings
TUESDAY: Jones Library Building and Facilities Committee, 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Conservation Commission, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY: Zoining Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.
