Would you like to be part of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world?

Join us in a celebration of the Mount Tom Range-located between Holyoke and Easthampton in Western Massachusetts.

From 2005 to 2007, I wrote a history column about the city of Holyoke in a local newspaper.  Every month I would focus on significant families and landmarks throughout the city. Initially, when I researched the Mount Tom Range, I wanted to show how Holyoke companies and residence used the range. It soon became apparent the story was not just about the citizens of Holyoke; it was about people from all over Western Massachusetts.

I knew one thing for sure; I love writing about history. I wanted to highlight the historical perspective of the Mount Tom Range so that people could understand the sacrifices that the early pioneers endured. Some of these men made certain that the land was protected enabling us to enjoy the natural history, recreational resources and woodlands for generations to come. I also wanted the book to touch on the remarkable history of the communities that surround the range.

The first thing I had to do was decipher which towns or cities to write about. So, I decided if they could see the range from their neighborhoods, whether from a small vantage point or if they were in the shadow of this magnificent range, I will write about their community.

After some of my Holyoke readers asked when my next article was coming out, I told them I was writing about the history of the mountain. Their ears would perk up and they would say with a sparkle in their eye, "Oh, do you mean Mount Tom?" When I nodded, they would get all excited telling me about how their families had enjoyed either Mountain Park, the Mount Tom Ski area, or the Mount Tom State Reservation over the years. It was at that point; I changed gears so the story wouldn’t be just about the heroes of the past, it will be about the unique stories of the people today who have cherished and loved the range through out their lives. 

If you would you like to be part of the history of this stunning range, please share your story by contacting me. Thank you.

Jacqueline M. Sears, PO Box 237, Southampton, MA 01073   jsears3231@charter.net    jacquiesears.com   413-534-1018