Hatfield Tobacco
celebrating 150 years of working tobacco
About the project
Have you ever worked tobacco? If so, we want to add your story!
In the links below, we’re creating a virtual exhibit that focuses on Hatfield, MA, tobacco workers. Whether you worked in the field, in the shop, were a manager, an owner or played some other role, we would love to hear from you and add your experience.
Even if you only worked tobacco a few hours, or a day, we want to hear what it was like (and why you didn’t go back). If you DID return for multiple seasons, what kept you going back? See below for details on how to submit and the link to sample questions. |
We’re also looking for your snapshots or slides of working tobacco, not only to accompany your story, but to add to our collection. Digital donations are fine. See details below.
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storiesWritten accounts are shared on the Stories page, with the most recently added one at the top. Yours could be next!
You can write out your story and send it to us vial email or US mail, and we will add it to the page.
We’d love to share your story in your own voice, to have on the Audio page! You can record your story, have a friend or family member record you, or we can try to set you up with a volunteer interviewer online. Click HERE for some questions to get you started. Digital story details
Some phones and computers have built-in voice recorders (like the Voice Memos app on an iPhone), or you can download a free voice recorder app, like Titanium Recorder. Or have a friend "interview" you on Zoom, and record the call. For audio files, mp3 format is preferred (.wav is OK too). For video files, mp4 or .MOV formats are fine. If you have a question about formats, shoot us an email and we'll help figure it out. |
pictures
We're looking for images of tobacco farming in Hatfield, especially of YOU or your family members, to share on the Pictures page. If you have photos or slides, could you share them with us? You can scan them (see scanning details below), or mail them to us and we'll scan them and mail them back.
Pictures might be of you and others working or breaking for lunch, or of the farm or shop where you worked, or a detail. Please identify as much as you can -- who the people are, what farm or shop, the year or era, and what's happening in the picture, so we can write accurate captions. Scanning details
* For photos, we would like a file size of 1-5Mbytes. If you can scan as a 200 to 300 dpi TIFF file, that's the best, but JPG files will work also. * For 35mm slides, email us first, and we'll discuss the process. |
Or mail submissions to:
Hatfield Historical Society Tobacco Stories Project 39 Main St. Hatfield, MA 01038 |
Important details:
Please include your full name, your mailing address so we can thank you, and the best way to reach you, in case we have questions. |