AMHERST — An exhibit and oral history about Cambodians in Amherst, along with associated cultural programs at the Amherst Historical Society, are being supported through a $7,150 grant from Mass Humanities.

The Expand Mass Stories initiative will tell the story of the migration, resettlement and integration of Cambodian immigrants into the social and cultural life of Amherst. The society is one of 42 cultural nonprofits for projects receiving a total of $751,424 for exhibits, documentary films, oral histories and public events.

In Amherst, refugees from then war-torn Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge began arriving in 1982, with people continuing to settle in town from refugee camps in Thailand into the mid-1990s. The Amherst public schools have long made efforts to welcome students of Cambodian descent, and at one time the town’s health department had a dedicated Cambodian outreach worker.

The Expand Massachusetts Stories grant supports the Amherst Historical Society in its goal of updating and diversifying the histories it presents, and expanding programming and exhibits to reflect contemporary history.

“This grant will enable the Historical Society to focus its activity next year on the history and contributions of the Cambodians who came to the region as refugees and have in the ensuing years, had an impact on our community and schools,” Georgia Barnhill, president of the society’s board of trustees, said in a statement, adding that there has also been support from volunteers who continue to work on the exhibit and archives. “We are so pleased that we will be able to share and preserve these stories for both the Cambodian community and the wider audience of the Pioneer Valley.”

Founded in 1899 and housed in the 1750s-era Simeon Strong House, the Amherst History Museum presents the town’s Colonial past, through its industrial age and into the modern days.

Student fire force

Current and former members of the Amherst Fire Department Student/Auxiliary Force, which began as the student fire brigade in 1953, will be marking the 70th anniversary of its formation at Homecoming at the University of Massachusetts starting Friday.

Homecoming will include a Friday evening social, and hockey and football home games, a banquet dinner  at the Marriott Center Saturday evening, and an open house and breakfast at the North Fire Station on Sunday.

New police officer

A 2011 graduate of Amherst Regional High School who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports administration at the University of Massachusetts is joining the Amherst Police Department.

Acting Police Chief Gabriel Ting recently announced that Andrew E. Coblyn, a recent graduate from the Boylston Police Academy, began a 12-week field officer training program.

Coblyn, 30, is the son of Michael E. Coblyn of New York City and Rachel Rosenfeld of Amherst. A Springfield resident, Coblyn was previously employed as a volunteer firefighter for the Leverett Fire Department and worked as a teller at Citizens Bank in Northampton.

Leverett Co-op Harvest Festival 

Due to the rain and cold last weekend, the Leverett Co-op’s Harvest Festival will be held Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m., at 180 Rattlesnake Gutter Road.

The event will have horse-drawn wagon rides, live music and a variety of vendors selling products. The store will also be open for shopping. For more information, call 413-367-9794.

 Amherst Woman’s Club programs

Kitty Burns Florey, author of a two-part series of historical fiction books titled “Writing Master” and “Amity Street,” will speak Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the club, 35 Triangle St.

Both books are set in Amherst in the 1850s.

Then, on Thursday at 6 p.m., Cinda Jones, CEO of W.D. Cowls Inc., will give a talk titled “Lessons Learned: How missteps, regrets, fire, animosity and the support of my girlfriends made me a notorious game changer in the Happy Valley.”

Wine and cheese will be served for the half-hour lead-up to her talk.The program is part of an evening series featuring local women and their personal journeys of challenges and achievements.

Banner drop

A banner reading “gender affirming care is healthcare” will be dropped and displayed on the front steps of the First Churches of Northampton Saturday at 1 p.m. in an event organized by Generation Ratify Amherst,  in collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission on LGTBQ+ Youth.

The youth-led group, founded and directed by Amherst resident Marisol Pierce Bonifaz, is pushing for the Equal Rights Amendment to be adopted and for all people to have bodily autonomy.

Speakers at the event will include U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a representative from state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa’s office and youth activist Alice Jenkins of Westhampton.

Meetings

TUESDAY: Cultural Council, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Board of Assessors, 10 a.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall; Solar Bylaw Working Group, noon; Board of Health and Cultural Council, both at 5:30 p.m.; Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.