On Monday, September 9th at 6:30pm, come to the Clapp Memorial Library for “Belchertown and the California Gold Rush,” a presentation by Cliff McCarthy, Stone House Museum archivist and author/editor of several books on Belchertown’s history. The California Gold Rush was an important event in American history, having an enormous impact on migration, land development, the slavery debate, and the nation’s economy. At least nineteen Belchertown men went west in pursuit of their dreams. Some played important roles in the development of California; some returned to New England and built on their western adventures to achieve positions of stature and importance in our communities.