Name: Animal Lore in The Last Green Valley
Start: 2025-10-07T18:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-10-07T19:30:00-04:00
Location: Slater Memorial Museum

UMass professor and folklorist Stephen Gencarella will present a lively talk on the legends, folk beliefs, and other traditions of the animals that populate TLGV’s natural—and supernatural—history, drawing from local and regional sources. This lecture will feature classic tales—including hunts for the so-called “last wolf”—to lesser-known lore such as the whippoorwill’s ominous songs, mesmeric snakes, and the fisher’s connection to the black cat of witchcraft. It will also emphasize how science and folklore studies assist the understanding of an ever-changing environment.
This program is wheelchair accessible. The content is suitable for children ages 12 and up. Pets are NOT allowed.
Sponsored by The Last Green Valley & Slater Memorial Museum, thelastgreenvalley.org & slatermuseum.org