Bestselling author to discuss the history of the Quabbin Reservoir at Public Library (2025)

SOUTHWICK — New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias will visit the Public Library on May 5 to talk about the history of the Quabbin Reservoir and offer tips on the best areas for day trips.

“We thought it be a great place to visit in the spring and wanted to give our patrons a learn about it and then go exploring,” said Lynn Blair, the director of the town’s library, about the program that begins at 6 p.m.

A prolific writer, Tougias has penned more than 35 books, including “The Quabbin: A History and Explorers Guide,” which is described as the definitive history and contemporary explorer’s guide to the Quabbin Reservoir.

Tougias’ program will feature the destruction of the “lost towns” of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott where most of the structures were either razed, wrecked, or burned with some being moved to other locations.

He will also discuss the construction of the massive Quabbin Reservoir which took nearly 10 years to build and fill.

Those who register for the event will also learn from Tougias about the natural history of the area and the best places for hiking, wildlife viewing, biking, fishing, and where to find the best waterfalls.

He will present a slide show of images showing the before and after images of the lost towns, workers’ building the dam and aqueduct, and its grand opening in 1945.

Blair said she and the library staff were looking through the 21 presentations Tougias offers, it was the Quabbin that “caught my eye.”

She that was primarily because it wasn’t just about history, but also information about the amenities that surround the reservoir like restaurants, areas for camping, orchards, swimming areas, golf courses, and general and antique stores.

“It’s just such a nice place to visit and is a great program for spring,” Blair said.

Blair suggested anyone who wants to attend the presentation to register here or by calling the library at 413-569-1221.

“This really helps us,” Blair said, “when preparing the room for the presentation.” She said it holds up to 40 people.

For those who do register, Blair said Tougias will include “three fascinating events” from the region he calls “forgotten history” as well as a few surprise findings.

Tougias, a Longmeadow native, continues writing.

Last August, Tougias published one of his most recent books for young people, “Ochala and the Pilgrims.” The book is a historical fiction novel from the point of view of a 10-year-old Wampanoag boy who plays a role in relations between his people and the newly arrived Pilgrims.

When completing research for the book, Tougias said he interviewed Native Americans to learn from their oral histories. He said all authors use the same historical documents and the written accounts are often incomplete.

“It’s almost like back then, they never wanted to give credit to what the natives did,” Tougias said, “so I figured, tell it from their point-of-view.”

Tougias said the book brought him “full circle.” In 2000, Tougias and Eric Schultz co-wrote “King Philips War,” titled after the conflict of the late 1670s. A decade ago, he wrote another novel, “Until I Have No Country,” about the same hostilities.

The research process for books that focus on the colonial era involves a lot of archival records, whereas the research for many of his survival stories allows him to interview the people who were there or those who knew them. When writing about the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, Tougias was able to speak to the last living pilot from that confrontation.

Tougias travels around the country delivering presentations like the one he will give in Southwick. He said people always ask questions, but added, “Every now and then, someone will want to share stories from their own lives, and I just let them.”

Reminder Publications Staff Writer Sarah Heinonen contributed to this article.