Firefighters at Armory StreetThe story of the Irish in the Connecticut Valley is a rich and distinct tale of trial and triumph for one of the many immigrant groups of the area. A new exhibit at the Springfield Museums titled The Irish Legacy: Immigration and Assimilation in the Connecticut Valley during the Industrial Revolution explores the experience of the Irish community in the Connecticut Valley through various artifacts and images including books, musical instruments, religious objects, and photographs. The exhibit will be on view in the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History from June 11 to August 25, 2013.

Visitors will get a glimpse of many traditional Irish objects of cultural and historical significance on loan from the Irish Cultural Center in Chicopee, including instruments like the bodhrán, religious objects like the St. Brigid Cross, and even a traditional Irish dance costume and shoes.

Presented in partnership with The Republican, WGBY, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Five Colleges, Inc., and Irish Cultural Center at Elms College.  As part of this exhibit, the Irish Cultural Center is sponsoring a Celtic Cart for children every Tuesday through August 13th  from 11:30 to 1:30 pm.