Senator Oliveira invites residents to visit a new exhibit by Belchertown photographer on display in the Massachusetts State House Senate Gallery

BOSTON – State Senator Jake Oliveira (Ludlow-D) is inviting residents to visit a new exhibit now on display in the Massachusetts State House Senate Gallery, titled "Quabbin – Yesterday and Today," which highlights the history, legacy, and natural beauty of the Quabbin Reservoir region.   

"Whether you're planning a trip to the State House during school vacation week or just looking for a reason to stop by Beacon Hill, this exhibit offers a terrific opportunity to connect with a defining piece of Western Massachusetts history," said Senator Jake Oliveira.   
The exhibit features contemporary photography from Belchertown-based nature photographer Ed Comeau, showcasing the landscapes and wildlife that make the Quabbin one of the most unique and protected natural resources in the Commonwealth. These images are paired with historical photographs from the Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts State Archives, as well as rare late-1800s images from the Friends of the Quabbin collection, offering a window into the communities that once thrived in the Swift River Valley before the reservoir was created. This exhibit was made possible through a grant from the Mass Cultural Council to the Friends of the Quabbin.  

For many in the region, the story of the Quabbin is both deeply personal and historically significant. The creation of the reservoir in the early 20th century displaced entire towns—Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott—and forever changed the landscape of Central and Western Massachusetts.   

"The Quabbin is such a wonderful place to visit," said Comeau. "Along with its beauty, it is an incredible engineering feat that brings millions of gallons of water from Western Massachusetts to the metro Boston area. I greatly appreciate that Senator Oliveira asked me to share my photographs in this exhibit to help tell the story of the Quabbin, yesterday and today." 

Today, the Quabbin provides clean drinking water to approximately 2.7 million people across the Commonwealth and remains one of the largest unfiltered public water supplies in the country, protected through the careful stewardship of the 12 towns in the Quabbin Region and the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Water Supply Protection. That stewardship has also preserved thousands of acres of open space that continue to support recreation, conservation, and a strong connection to the outdoors.   

If you're visiting the State House in the coming weeks, Senator Oliveira encourages you to take a few moments to stop by the Senate Gallery and experience this exhibit. “It's a powerful reminder that Massachusetts' story extends well beyond Boston, and that the history and contributions of Western Massachusetts communities continue to shape the Commonwealth today,” said Oliveira.  
The photographs will be on exhibit until the end of May.  

About the Artist: Ed Comeau is a nature photographer based in Belchertown, Massachusetts. He frequently photographs the landscapes and wildlife of the Quabbin Reservoir and serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Quabbin. His work can be viewed at www.ComeauPhotography.com and on Instagram @edcomeauphotography.