BEACON FALLS — If a picture is worth 1,000 words then the latest addition to the “Images of America” series is a veritable history lesson on Beacon Falls.
“Images of America: Beacon Falls” contains more than 200 vintage pictures of Beacon Falls that tell the history of the town through photographs. The book was published by Prospect resident and author Mark Heiss in collaboration with the Beacon Falls Historical Society.
The catalyst for the book came from an effort by the society to archive historical memorabilia that was stored in boxes in Historical Society President Beverly Krenesky’s house. The collection is stored there because the society does not have a permanent museum in town.
“I said ‘We’ve got to do something with them it can’t just sit here like that,’” Krenesky explained.
So, members of the society began archiving the materials. Heiss, whose lineage traces back to his great-great-grandfather in Beacon Falls, volunteered to digitize the historic photographs.
After Heiss went through the pictures, Krenesky explained, he thought there was enough in the collection along with personal collections to create the book. The group has been working towards the book’s publication for the past year or so.
“I’m so glad to see it happen while I’m still around,” Historical Society President Beverly Krenesky said. “I think it’s a wonderful achievement for the whole group.”
Krenesky hopes the book will help spark an interest in more people about the town’s history.
If everything goes according to schedule, Krenesky said, the society will have books available to purchase at the river festival Saturday downtown.
If they don’t arrive in time for the festival the books will be available next Saturday when the society will host separate historic walks downtown at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., Krenesky said. Historical memorabilia will be on display and copies of the book will be available for purchase at the Senior Center next Saturday. Heiss will also be on hand to sign copies of the book, she said.
“Images of America: Beacon Falls” is published through Arcadia Publishing and sells for $21.99. Heiss is donating all of the proceeds from the book to the society to help the organization find a permanent home in town.
Copies of “Images of America: Beacon Falls” are available online at www.arcadiapublishing.com and can be purchased locally by calling Krenesky at (203) 729-7435.
