Did you know that the Edward Bellamy House is run entirely by volunteers?  Read on to learn more about the work that goes on behind the scenes as we dispel some common misconceptions about volunteering.

The Edward Bellamy House is important to different people for different reasons.  It’s the former home of a world-famous novelist and influential 19th-century thinker, the former photography studio where many local residents came to mark milestones in their lives, and an old house that has seen over 175 years of change in Chicopee Falls.  It’s also Chicopee’s only National Historic Landmark and a repository for books, photos, papers, and objects that tell the story of the Bellamy family and the community they lived in.  The best thing about the house and its collections is that we’re able to offer a little something for everyone; here, visitors can count on finding something to relate to, whether their interests are in local history, Gilded Age literature, photography, journalism, political science, women’s history, or American architecture.

The Edward Bellamy Memorial Association, which manages the Bellamy House and its collections, is an all-volunteer organization.  Everyone’s contributions are as varied as their reasons for helping out; our volunteers staff the house when it’s open, publish a newsletter, catalog collections materials, develop exhibits, maintain the grounds, prepare membership mailings, organize an annual book sale, and pay the bills.  It also means, however, that we can only do as much as we’re able with the resources that we have, and we must limit our offerings when we don’t have the people-power to sustain them.

Organizations that rely at least in part on volunteers have been having difficulty finding enough help to support their activities in recent years.  This is often because people are experiencing burnout as work, family, and other obligations demand too much of their time.  Sometimes, though, it’s because they think that even though they’re interested in getting involved, they’re not the right person for the job.  Allow us to challenge that notion and share some of the simple ways that anyone can help preserve the Bellamy House and its collections!

Misconception: I can’t help out because I’m not a member of the Bellamy Association.

You don’t have to be a member to volunteer!  All that’s needed is a genuine interest in helping to preserve the Bellamy House and its many stories, whatever the reason.

Misconception: I wouldn’t be welcome because I’m not able to make a long-term commitment.

The Hanifan Room set up for our annual book sale.

That’s okay!  While there are opportunities to serve a term on the board of directors or staff the house when we’re open, we also welcome volunteers to help set up our annual book sale, take a turn clearing snow from the sidewalk, or organize an event.  Volunteering to help with one thing does NOT mean you’ve committed to being a volunteer for life.

Misconception: There isn’t anything I can do because I’m not local.

While many of our volunteer opportunities center around our physical space, others don’t.  Consider contributing to our newsletter or blog, suggesting social media posts, or sharing your expertise in planning fundraisers.

Misconception: I couldn’t be helpful because I don’t know anything about Edward Bellamy.

You don’t need to be an expert on Bellamy or local history to volunteer.  Do you find yourself wanting to put your theater skills to use?  Learn the script for our half-hour talk on the Bellamy House and Bellamy family.  Enjoy spending time outside?  Volunteer to mow the lawn or shovel snow, and bring a friend!  Considering a career in libraries, museums, or archives?  Help catalog a collection.

The Bellamy House is important for what it is, but also for what it can be.  We’re proud of the progress that we’ve made since we officially opened as a museum in 2019, but we would love to expand our open hours, offer programming, and be more of a welcoming presence in the community.  If you or someone you know would like to help make that happen, please contact us!

To volunteer, please contact us via email (edwardbellamyassociation@gmail.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EdwardBellamyMemorialAssociation/), or the Contact Us page on our website.