The land between Memorial Avenue and the Agawam River, formerly known as the Agawam Meadows, was granted to the early settlers in 1644 as farmland and was still used for that purpose in the early 1900’s.
In 1914 Joshua Brooks, a Springfield businessman, contacted leaders in business and industry to raise funds for the establishment of a regional agricultural and industrial exposition. The men chose a 175-acre site along the Agawam River and the first fair was held in the autumn of 1916. That year the National Dairy Show, the North Atlantic States’ Boys and Girls Exposition, and the Horse Show were held there. The following year the Exposition had its first all purpose show dedicated to encourage livestock and agricultural competition and to foster youth participation in farm related activities.
The Eastern States Exposition is self-supporting and is governed by a volunteer board of trustees representing all of the New England States.
The Big E, as the fair is now known, draws over 1 million visitors to West Springfield every September and is consistently among the top ten agricultural fairs in the United States.
During the fair hundreds of young people are housed in the Horace Moses Memorial Building. The building is nationally known as the birthplace of the Junior Achievement program, which was established by Mr. Moses.
The Avenue of States is a major feature at the Big E. All six New England states have buildings on the Avenue, some of which are styled after old state houses in their capital cities. The buildings and land they occupy are owned by the individual states. During the fair, each state building features food, merchandise and industries that are associated with that particular state.
Part of the original motivation for the fair was to encourage young people to participate in the fields of farming and animal husbandry. Today, Future Farmers of America, 4-H Clubs and Scouts are among the many groups who show livestock or agricultural exhibits. It is very prestigious to win a ribbon at the Big E Fair.
Storrowton Village, a living history museum, is located on the grounds of the Big E. Started in 1927, through the generosity and forward thinking of Mrs. Helen Storrow, nine buildings which had been abandoned or were scheduled for demolition were purchased, dismantled and reconstructed around a typical colonial common.
The buildings suffered serious damage during the 1936 flood and 1938 hurricane after which the dikes, along the Agawam River, were built to prevent any future damage. There is a marker indicating the high water level on the front of the Meeting House.
A professional staff, supported by a large group of volunteers, oversees village activities. As a result, the village is used throughout the year for school programs, tours and summer camps. During the first weekend in December the Village is decorated by local garden clubs and florists and is open to visitors free of charge.