Right to left: Diane Testa, Trustee Karen Geaghan, Trustee Bradley Gregory and Museum President David Bourcier holding the museum’s exclusive Hill Climb T-shirt.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WILBRAHAM — One of Wilbraham’s most historic buildings is preparing to open for the season in correlation with a tradition dating back to 1908.
The Old Meeting House Museum at 450 Main St. welcomes Wilbraham Hill Climb event goers with a free open house to kick off the season on May 9 at 8 a.m.
Guests have the opportunity to visit during the race, peruse the museum’s artifacts and shop from a full stock of local merchandise, including an exclusive Hill Climb T-shirt.
The Hill Climb began as the earliest tests for the American automobile, when car makers would bring their machines to the hill on Monson Road to test them on a steep incline. The tradition still lives on over a century later and has become a full community event with the vintage car race, a car show and activities all throughout the center of town beginning at 9 a.m.
Food trucks will also arrive at 10 a.m. and the exhibition races begin at 2 p.m. The winner of the Hill Climb will be announced at 3 p.m. This year’s race will feature over 20 vintage race cars, five vintage motorcycles, live timing displays and leaderboards.
Spectator parking will be available at Minnechaug Regional High School, with the starting line and viewing area at 26 Monson Road and the finish line at 252 Monson Road. The car show and food will run along Main Street with the craft sale at Memorial Park.
The event also features something new this year that “adds a chapter that would have felt fitting to the car makers who started it all,” according to a press release.
Engineering teams from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Western New England University are expected to bring prototype vehicles and student-built technology to the race.
“It matters because the engineers, designers and prototypes of 1908 were on that same hill,” Hill Climb Organizer Jeffrey DeMarey said in the press release. “Now we have talented young engineers from some of the best programs on the east coast coming to test their vehicles on the very same road.”
The Old Meeting House Museum Marketing Director Lindsey Bourcier said the Hill Climb has become a natural start to the museum’s season over the last couple of years.
“It’s one of the busiest and most exciting days in the center of town,” Bourcier said. “Since we’re right on Main Street, it’s the perfect opportunity to open our doors and welcome visitors, many of whom are stepping inside for the first time.”
The museum originally opened in 1793 and is the oldest Methodist meeting house in New England. It is currently run by the Atheneum Society of Wilbraham, a nonprofit organization founded in 1963 by residents committed to preserving the town’s history.
“We offer free, family-friendly programs throughout our May through December season, from historical talks and special exhibits, to seasonal events like our Ice Cream Social and Holiday Fest,” Bourcier said. “The museum serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike to connect with Wilbraham’s past while building community in the present.”
Bourcier said the museum has put more time and energy into programming this year than ever to create events that bring locals together, with returning fan-favorite events while also introducing some new programs to “keep the season fresh and engaging.”
This season will feature new speakers, events and collaborations with more local partners. Bourcier said she was most excited for a program in September on the Springfield Witch Trials, a lesser-known piece of regional history that predates the Salem Witch Trials by 40 years. The event is in collaboration with Springfield Museum Curator of History Elizabeth Kapp.
She added that the Hill Climb is always a special day because of how the town comes alive and gives the museum the opportunity to welcome people in and be a part of the energy on Main Street.
More information on The Old Meeting House Museum can be found at theohm.org and more information on the Hill Climb is at springfieldtoboston.com/wilbraham-hill-climb.
