NEXT UP: Wednesday, April 15th – Dennis Picard on Hessians in western Mass. during the Revolutionary War. We welcome back a favorite speaker, local historian and reenactor Dennis Picard to usher in our 2026 250th anniversary celebrations with a talk on the enemy Hessian mercenary soldiers, how they came to western Massachusetts, who they were, and why some of them even remained here after the war.
All events at the Chicopee Public Library’s Bazan Community Room at 449 Front Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts beginning at 6:30 P.M. All programs are free and open to the public.
We’re very pleased to welcome back Dennis Picard as our speaker, who last gave a talk for us on the history of maple sugaring in the spring of 2023.
Dennis D. Picard has been a museum professional in the living history field for over forty years. He began his career in 1978 at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and spent twelve years filling various positions including lead interpreter, where he researched and designed many public programs which are still offered by that institution today.
He also served on the staff of Hancock Shaker Village as a historic trade craftsman and site interpreter.
Picard is the recipient of various grants that allowed him to serve as project coordinator for research and implementation of programs and events at several historic sites and museums.
He has served as a consultant for many historical societies and museums. His museum experience afforded him the ability to author many articles on the lifestyles and folkways of New England. He has edited film scripts and reviewed historic novels for accuracy of content. Picard held the position of Assistant Director and Director at several sites including Fort Number Four in Charlestown, New Hampshire and the Sheffield Historical Society in the Massachusetts Berkshires. He recently retired after 27 years at Storrowton Village Museum, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
During the 2017-2019 academic years Picard taught Museum Studies & Historic Site Interpretation at Westfield State University in Massachusetts. He was also a member and president of the Board of Directors of the Pioneer Valley History Network. He serves as a member of the editorial board of the Country School Journal and grants committee of the Country School Association of America.
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