150th Year Commemoration Activities

May 16, 1874

The sudden collapse of the Williamsburg dam in western Massachusetts let loose a flood that swept away parts of Williamsburg, Skinnerville, Haydenville, and Leeds. It killed 139 people, all within an hour. It was the first major dam disaster in the U.S.

A working group from across the Mill Valley planned these events, which took place in May 2024, to remember the disaster and honor the victims.

Cascade of Bells

May 16, 2024

Listen to the relay of church bells from Williamsburg to Northampton, ringing a total of 139 times, once for each flood victim.

Williamsburg Congregational Church
Haydenville Congregational Church
Our Lady of the Hills, Haydenville
Leeds Chapel
Florence Congregational Church
Smith College Bells, Mendenhall Tower
Northampton Churches
Smith College Handbell Choir (in front of First Churches)
United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Photograph of a church steeple with clock and bell

Floods Past and Present

John Sinton and Gaby Immerman
May 16, 2024

Grow Food Northampton Community Farm, Florence, Mass.

John Sinton and Gaby Immerman of the Mill River Greenway will lead a discussion on the natural and human-driven hydrologic cycles of life on a floodplain farm. From the era of Glacial Lake Hitchcock through 10,000 years of Indigenous land stewardship, to the colonial era, and to our current period of global warming, attendees will reflect on the natural cycle of flooding along the Mill River.

modern photograph of flooding river rushing past a brick building — The Mill River flowing under the bridge on Mulberry Street in Leeds during flooding in 2023. Photograph by Carol Lollis, Daily Hampshire Gazette.

The 1874 Mill River Flood

A Talk by Eric Weber
May 16, 2024

Social Hall, First Congregational Church of Williamsburg
4 North Main Street, Williamsburg, Mass.Mill River Flood historian Eric Weber will give a public lecture on the 150th anniversary of the Mill River disaster. For decades, Weber has searched archives and libraries to locate all photographic stereoscopic cards made of the destruction. Over 450 different stereoviews were marketed to the American public, which was eager for news of the catastrophe. Based upon the photographic record, Weber has a detailed knowledge of the path of the flood.

old photograph of houses along a washed out road — James’ Mill, Williamsburg, showing wash-out in road.
From original stereoview photograph by the Knowlton Brothers, 1874. Historic Northampton (ID 55.914)

Commemoration of the
Mill River Flood

May 18, 2024
First Congregational Church of Williamsburg
4 North Main Street, Williamsburg, Mass.

The program will feature new musical compositions by Nick Reid and Louise Mosrie, the “May 16th, 1874” ballad by Lynne Bertrand and Penny Schultz, with cellist Stephen Katz, and the story of the disaster in the words of witnesses (arranged by Elizabeth Sharpe) with a reading of the victims’ names. A re-enactment of dam keeper George Cheney’s frantic horseback ride to warn the village will follow on North Main Street. Two trees will be planted at the church honoring the first two victims of the flood.

old photograph of man on a horse — George Cheney on his horse. From original stereoview photograph by the Knowlton Brothers, 1874. Historic Northampton (ID 55.784).

Leeds Commemoration Gathering

May 19, 2024
Church lawn, 195 Main Street, Leeds, Mass.

There will be a recounting of Myron Day’s heroic ride warning Leeds, a reading of the names of the 51 Leeds victims, and the performance of an original song by John Daniel.

River-inspired art pieces by Leeds artists, original illustrations from Millicent and The Day it Rained Buttons by Nancy Meagher, and an art piece made by the Leeds After School Enrichment River Arts Club will be on display.

A memorial tree will be planted to honor Myron Day.

old photograph of flood damaged houses and debris strewn around them — Wreck of Engine house in Leeds after the Mill River Disaster. From original stereoview photograph by the Knowlton Brothers, 1874. Historic Northampton (ID 55.845).

Who Was Responsible for the
Mill River Disaster?

May 31, 2024 and June 1, 2024
Old Hampshire County Courthouse
99 Main Street, Northampton, Mass.

A readers’ theatre presentation about the coroner’s inquest into the cause of the Mill River disaster will take place in Hampshire County’s historic courtroom. The audience will be invited to participate by reading some of the testimony and commentary from the inquest. Elizabeth Sharpe, author of In the Shadow of the Dam: The Aftermath of the Mill River Flood of 1874, will narrate.

Learn More

old photograph of remains of a group of people standing on a hill with remains of the reservoir dam in background — Ruins of the west bank of the Williamsburg Reservoir. From original stereoview photograph by the Knowlton Brothers, 1874. Historic Northampton (ID 55.936).

Guided Walks to the Dam Ruins
in Williamsburg

May and September 2024

Historians, naturalists, and engineers will lead walks and discuss the design and construction of the dam, the dam break, and the changes in the natural landscape.The trail is approximately 1.5 miles total, of moderate difficulty, with some steep, slippery and rugged portions.

Learn More {ADD EVENT PAGE & FIX LINK}

old photograph of remains of reservoir dam and people standing at the foot of the dry reservoir bed — Reservoir showing East Wall. From original stereoview photograph by the Knowlton Brothers, 1874. Historic Northampton (ID 55.930).

Follow the Flood – 76 Historic Markers and Online Story Map

May and June

An interactive, online story map, designed and hosted by Smith College, will show the length of the Mill River, the span of the flood, and the locations of 76 historical markers that describe what happened at each site. Markers will be posted in the villages of Williamsburg, Haydenville, Leeds, Florence, and Northampton and at victims’ graves in five cemeteries.
The markers will be on display throughout summer 2024.

{Should we remove this since it’s already in its own section? And not really an event}

A screenshot of the interactive Mill River Flood commemorative marker story map.

Videos about the Flood

May and June 2024

Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge Street, Northampton, Mass.

Visitors to Historic Northampton can select from among five videos about the disaster, its impact, and its artistic representations, including the 18-minute 1993 film by Art Donahue for Chronicle, WCVB-TV Channel 5 Boston. These videos are available upon request, as digital files .

Artwork and Poetry Exhibit by Dunphy School 3rd Graders

Curated by Nancy Meagher
May 1 – May 31, 2024
Meekins Library, 2 Williams Street, Williamsburg, Mass.

Artifacts pulled from the Mill River after the 1874 Flood inspired ten third graders in Nicole Derby’s classroom at Anne T. Dunphy School to learn about local history. Their research and the artwork and writing they created helped them to further understand the Mill River’s history, and its connection to the production of silk thread, brass faucets, buttons, and more. Enjoy an exhibit of their artwork and writing at the Meekins Library during the month of May.

Collage and drawing with old photo of hosrse drawn carriage in front of house and yellow floral wreath commorating Collins Grave for courage and Humanity

Collage and drawing with old photo of mill building and blue water rising below

Artwork by Grade 3, Anne T. Dunphy School, Williamsburg

Flood Memorial Tree Project

May 2024 – 2029

A total of 144 trees (one for each of 139 victims and five heroes) will be planted along the river as a living memorial. Each tree will be dedicated to an individual flood victim, the entire family that perished, or a hero of the day. The plantings will take place over five years as the Mill River Greenway shared-use path along the river is developed.

Two red maples will be planted at the Williamsburg Church on May 18, 2024 for the first two victims of the flood: Sarah Collyer Bartlett, age 24 and her daughter Viola Collyer, age 3.