THEN AND NOW is an exploration of how nature and culture shape the places we live over time. With guidance from The Trustees of Reservations, Holyoke Boys and Girls Club (HBGC) youth spent last fall studying changes in their community from the 19th century through the present day. Historic postcards and photos documented the past, while the youth used their own photographs to capture the same sites today.

The youth were intrigued by transformations in the natural and cultural features of the city, including transportation, buildings, demographics, and the locations and use of the natural lands where plants and animals live. Their photos and experiences with the project were the focus of a community event at The Trustees' Holyoke office in January.

The following is a sample of the sites the youth visited for the THEN AND NOW project, including historic and present day images, a description of how each site has changed, and the youths' thoughts and observations.

Intersection of Dwight & Main Streets
When the HBGC youth were asked where Holyoke's downtown was, they responded, “The Holyoke Mall and High Street.” They soon learned that this intersection, once known as Depot Square, served as a major hub in Holyoke in the 1800s, in part because it was a place where the canal and trolley tracks came together. The building that once stood in the forefront is gone and the trolley tracks and horse drawn carriages are obsolete.

Mt.Tom Railroad
The Mount Tom Railroad provided transportation from the lower railroad station to the top of the mountain and the famous summit house, a popular destination for well-to-do residents of Holyoke and beyond. The youth visited the area where the railroad tracks used to be and had to use their imagination to envision the summit house that once stood at the top of the mountain.

Photos (c): Holyoke Heritage State Park Collection, Ciara from Americorps, TTOR

The Slopes of Mt. Tom
“I hope it always remains a great place for families to bring their children,” said Daniel O'Connell IV, who opened the Mount Tom Ski Area in 1959.  After serving thousands, the ski area closed in 1998 and the property was purchased by four partners – U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Trustees of Reservations, and the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club – all of whom are committed to preserving the quality of life in Holyoke.

Photos (c): Holyoke Heritage State Park Collection, TTOR 

210 High Street
This is the former site of the Delaney Marble Building, which stood across the street from City Hall in the late 1800s. It was torn down in the 1950s and its marble was used to build new structures in South Hadley. Over the years, it had been utilized as a premier hotel, offices, and a retail site. What stands in its place is the more recently constructed Century Building, which houses H&R Block and other businesses.