Ninety Years Later: The Connecticut River Valley Flood of 1936 and the Legacy of Flood Protection

In March 1936, weeks of heavy rain and snowmelt combined to produce one of the most destructive floods in New England history. Communities throughout the Pioneer Valley along the Connecticut River and its tributaries found themselves inundated as rivers rose to record levels. This illustrated presentation examines the causes, impacts, and human stories of the Connecticut River Valley Flood of 1936 through historic photographs, maps, newspaper accounts, and film footage. Attendees will learn how the disaster reshaped communities throughout the region and prompted one of the largest flood control efforts in New England history. Marking the 90th anniversary of the flood, the program will also explore the dams, levees, floodwalls, and other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects constructed in its aftermath. Looking beyond the historical event itself, the presentation examines the current state of this infrastructure and the role it continues to play in protecting communities from flooding nearly a century later. What’s past is prologue: the lessons of 1936 continue to inform how we understand risk, resilience, and preparedness in the Connecticut River Valley today. Presented by Joshua Shanley, Author and Educator, Emergency Management Professional Image courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Archives Identifier 7891181 Join us in-person or online! If you plan to attend in person at the Museums, tickets are available on the day of the lecture in the Welcome Center. Members: FREE Springfield residents: $4 Nonmembers: $4 To attend via ZOOM, please register in advance. Online Registration