Historic Deerfield

Historic Deerfield is a unique museum which maintains 55 buildings (12 of which are open to the public) and focuses on the significance of small-town america to our national culture. Historic Deerfield offers a broad range of programming related to the core areas of its mission: Historic preservation, material culture studies, and natural history. The museum offers a wide range of public programming including summer evening strolls (walking tours) that highlight Deerfield architecture, burying grounds, and history. In addition, lectures are given on a variety of historically relevant topics. In addition to public programs, Historic Deerfield also offers numerous demonstrations of Historic trades such as broom making, coopering, furniture making, and architectural woodworking. This past year, the museum added 158 objects to the collection of approximately 32,000 artifacts and welcomed over 12,000 visitors and approximately 2,200 program participants.

The Deerfield inn was purchased in 1945 by henry and helen geier flynt, the founders of what is now known as Historic Deerfield, Inc. They envisioned Historic Deerfield as a quintessential rural new england village with authentic Historic buildings dating back to 1714. Historic Deerfield is a destination; it is more than simply touring a house or attending a lecture. Rather, it is an experience that encompasses walks along old main street, recreation, learning, meals, and perhaps an overnight stay. In addition to the stories, we tell of the people who lived here, a range of other educational opportunities exists as education has always been and remains a strong component of Historic Deerfield's mission. The Deerfield inn supports these museum activities as it caters for events and meals, houses and feeds speakers, program participants, and visitors. It is also an important backdrop for development activities. This past year, the inn welcomed over 5,100 guests and champneys restaurant served over 48,000 guests.

Historic Deerfield's public historian develops and oversees the annual lecture series in history and collaborates to create programs for general and academic audiences. Academic programs focus on the interdisciplinary use of history and related fields with a commitment to increasing attendance, expanding museum audiences, and fostering Historic Deerfield's affiliation with five colleges, Inc. as well as other college faculty members and museum staff at other institutions. The public historian teaches a course in material culture for undergraduate and graduate students in the five colleges offered through smith college and directs Historic Deerfield's summer fellowship program. The summer fellowship program was established in 1956. This nine-week residential program is designed for undergraduate students, rising seniors, and graduating seniors. Seven fellows completed the program this fiscal year and over 460 have completed the program since its inception. Approximately 75% of summer fellows pursue careers in the museum or material culture fields. The library added 180 items to its collection of over 25,000 items during fiscal year 2023.