Actress brings Skinner to life

By Lori O'Brien

Correspondent

HOLYOKE As a little girl growing up in Holyoke and living only a few blocks away from Wistariahurst, Ann Maggs and her mother would often walk by the mansion and imagine what lay beyond the big walls surrounding the private home of the Skinner family.

"I was deliciously scared by the lion statues outside, as well as curious about the 'secret garden' behind those big walls," said Maggs during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Maggs, now residing in Amherst, returns to Holyoke on May 14 when she performs her one-woman play based on the life of Miss Belle Skinner at the Wistariahurst Museum.

The play, I Choose To Be The One: The Adventures of Miss Belle Skinner, was written by Maggs and explores the glamorous and exciting world of philanthropist Miss Belle Skinner (1866-1928).

"I have been impressed by Belle Skinner's almost limitless energy and passion for life," said Maggs. "She pursued so many artistic and cultural avenues, and yet kept in close touch with her roots in Holyoke (living in Wistariahurst when not in New York or Paris) and with her family and friends."

Maggs added that when Skinner was determined to accomplish something important to her, she was unstoppable, except finally by her health.

Maggs is an archivist and playwright, and much of her monologue for the play is taken directly from Skinner's letters, journals and manuscripts.

"As a trained librarian and archivist, I worked as a volunteer sorting the Skinner family letters and journals," said Maggs, adding "I was astounded to learn about Belle Skinner and her accomplishments, collecting rare musical instruments, and restoring an entire French village after World War I."

Maggs said that the family story she saw unfolding before her eyes during the 1990's was fascinating and she wanted to create a play to bring all this to the public's attention. Maggs' also combines her talents as an experienced singer and actress to transport the audience from Skinner's youth in Holyoke to travels around the globe.

The play moves from the great Mill River flood of 1874 through the Industrial Revolution in the Northeast and the First World War as lived by Belle Skinner in Holyoke and other places in her travels, according to Maggs.

"People in the audience recognize names and places mentioned and have told me that they were really caught up in the dramatic experience," she said. "It is important to learn the history of one's hometown or new home."

Belle Skinner was a well-known Holyoke resident and daughter of renowned silk manufacturer William Skinner. The play is set in the family's mansion that is now the Wistariahurst Museum on Cabot Street.

Maggs' performance will be staged in the Music Room and Great Hall with two acts 40 minutes and 20 minutes with a 15-minute intermission in between. There is comfortable seating for 75. Maggs will also sing and play the piano several times during the play. The musical selections were chosen to reflect Belle Skinner's experiences at the time.

"Quite a few members of the Skinner family from all over the country have seen the play," said Maggs. "It's also wonderful to be able to recreate Belle's life in her actual home."

Light refreshments will be served following the performance. Show time is 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10, $7 for seniors and students.

Maggs is the Assistant Music Librarian at Amherst College and teaches Jazz Voice at Amherst College as well as Westfield State College. She is also a clinician at Massachusetts All State Conferences, and an adjudicator for IAJE festivals of jazz choirs. She is also actor, composer and music director with the Hampshire Shakespeare Company.

The 26-room mansion is also open to the public as an historic house museum on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from noon to 4 p.m.

The buildings and grounds were owned continually by the Skinner family until 1959, when Katharine Skinner Kilborne, the youngest child of William and Sarah Skinner, and her heirs gave the home to the City of Holyoke for cultural and educational purposes.

For more information, call (413) 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.