Dear Community Preservation Committee,.pdfMarta Martinez
18 Bates Street
Northampton, MA 01060
February 5th, 2022
Dear Community Preservation Committee,
My name is Marta Martinez. I am originally from Nicaragua. For over 18 years, my family and I
were displaced due to a civil war. I have lived in Northampton since 1997, and I am raising my
son here. I am a member of the community of Northampton. I am writing in favor of upcoming
renovations to Shepherd Barn.
Northampton Historical Society has reemerged as a leader in our community, bringing racial
politics to the center of our conversation while offering life-changing exhibitions to the
community, including historical events, shows, musical concerts, and gardening experiences. A
fully renovated Shepherd Barn would provide a home for these efforts.
During the Summer of 2021, I learned of the “Historic Northampton and Unplugged Games,” a
program original to the Northampton Historical Society, which collaborated with actor and
comedian Kelsey Flynn. Through improv and storytelling,kids were invited to learn about the
Great Northampton Bank Robbery of 1876. I was genuinely impressed by the details explored
of the Great Flood of 1874. Lastly, they examined the story of Mary Bliss Parsons, a woman
who was recused twice of being a witch.
Family members who have attended ongoing exhibits are still talking about a life-size cut out of
Francis Crow, just like in real life, which could draw you in “the cause.” They are also still talking
about a model of Northampton 100 years ago,including discussions of slavery, which were
central to the presentation.Exhibitions like these are rare but poignant in raising social activism
and race issues. These types of conversations improve the awareness of our community, and
the Northampton Historical Society has become that place in our community to have these
conversations.
During the Fall of 2021, I attended a musical concert at the Shepherd Barn while enjoying a
sunny day that brought together musicians with the possibility of the community interacting
through the Arts. Giving space to improved garden areas could help children explore the
outdoors. Turning the Shepherd Barn into a fully renovated ADA-compliant building would allow
access to our diverse community and invite further explorations with meaningful interactions in
our neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marta Martinez