AMHERST — While some residents may worry about potential damage to the historic Simeon Strong House during expansion of the neighboring Jones Library, trustees for the Amherst Historical Society are assuring the public that, as caretakers of the building, they will protect the historic asset.

Georgia “Gigi” Barnhill, president of the society’s trustees, wrote in a letter to the community that there has been no definitive decision on the easement to permit construction vehicles to pass along the east side of the society’s property at 67 Amity St. to the library site at 43 Amity St.

“Please be assured that the trustees of the Historical Society take their stewardship of the historic Simeon Strong House seriously and have and will continue to work closely with the library building committee and the town of Amherst to ensure the safety of the building and the collection,” Barnhill wrote.

Already, through Community Preservation Act money, the society has a photographic record of the 1750s building’s interior and exterior, as well as an engineer’s report that can be used to monitor any issues that may come up during construction. Computerized scans of the building taken before and after construction will also alert the society to any changes, and there will be seismic monitors during construction measuring vibrations on the property. The Historical Society has sought advice from Historic New England and relied on information published by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

During the last expansion of the library between 1992 and 1993, work was done to shore up the foundation of the building, but no damage occurred. The society is encouraging the library to take out an insurance policy to cover any damage.

Meanwhile, the Historical Society is planning its Founders Day meeting on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at Munson Library in South Amherst, as part of the society’s celebration of 125 years. Tufts University professor Julie Dobrow will talk about Mabel Loomis Todd and the New England Transcendentalists.

The society will also give out the Conch Shell Award to a person, business or organization that has contributed to the preservation and awareness of Amherst history. Nominations for the award, established in 2007 and named for the “ye auld kunk” that called Amherst residents to town meeting and worship in the 1700s, should be made by Jan. 27. Last year the Conch Shell was awarded to Cyndi Harbeson, the former special collection curator at Jones Library.

Cease-fire appeal

The Amherst Pelham Education Association’s Representative Council is calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, responding to a petition from 50 members of the union.

The council is signing on to a letter titled “The US Labor Movement Calls for Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.” The letter urges that “humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza” and that “Israeli hostages taken by Hamas be immediately released.”

Initiated by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000 and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, the letter has been signed by other labor organizations including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, United Auto Workers, the Boston Teachers Union, the Chicago Teachers Union and the Western Mass Area Labor Federation.

Woman’s Club talks

The Amherst Woman’s Club is beginning its spring season with two talks open to the public at the 35 Triangle St. clubhouse.

Kathy LeMay, a global social change leader, fundraiser and philanthropic advisor, will talk about the future of philanthropy Monday at 1:30 p.m.

LeMay began her international work in 1993 in the Balkans working with female survivors of rape-genocide camps. She later raised $175 million for global social change, training thousands of individuals in global social change fundraising. In the second stage of her life, LeMay owns and operates an animal rescue nonprofit in Leverett and co-runs a local landscaping business.

Maggie Hodges, a landscape painter with a studio and gallery on Main Street, will talk about the arc of her artistic life on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.

Hodges began her pursuit of painting when she was in her 50s, becoming a full-time landscape painter and member of the Amherst Plein Air Society and Oil Painters of America. In 2022, the trustees of the Forbes Library acquired her painting “Northampton Lights.”

Grocery shop savings

A registered dietitian and nutrition expert will provide information about saving money when grocery shopping at a Jones Library Zoom event “Saving at the Supermarket,” being held Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

The workshop, led by Jill Patterson, will showcase strategies to cut grocery bills while eating nutritiously. Patterson has a background of menu planning on a budget for school systems, consulting for grocery store chains, and being a cost-conscious shopper herself.

Go to www.joneslibrary.org to register.

Meetings

MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.

TUESDAY: Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m., and Cultural Council, 6 p.m.