Lecture Oct. 22 details possible Native American use of Sand Springs spa

Submitted by Rita Watson:
(413) 458-4828 / rwatson105@verizon.net

WILLIAMSTOWN -- The history of Sand Springs, a spa believed to have been used by the Native American inhabitants of the area, will be detailed in a lecture on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the David & Joyce Milne Public Library at 11 a.m.

The event is one of a series of public lectures sponsored by the Williamstown Historical Museum. Admission is free.

The lecturer will be Jeanette Dudley, whose in-laws' ancestors include John Smedley Jr., the original owner of the Sand Springs property, which for many years was a popular destination for tourists and townspeople. Situated just off Bridges Road in the town's northern section, Sand Springs, now known as Sand Springs Resort/Spa, is believed to have been used by Indians of the Five Nations as a reliable source of water and/or as a medicinal spring. Later, the property was the site of two resort hotels, both of which were destroyed by fire in 1886 and 1938, respectively.

Founded in 1941, the Williamstown Historical Museum, located in the library since 1994, conserves and protects historic items related to Williamstown's past.

The museum has more than 200 contributing members. It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, or by appointment arranged by calling (413) 458-2160.

Additional information is available on the museum's website www.williamstownhistory.com.