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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD The Josiah Day House, the only known solid brick Salt Box House of its period on its original foundation in the United States, will be opening its doors to the public for informational tours on Aug. 5 and 6 from noon - to 3 p.m. at its location 70 Park Avenue. The tours are conducted by a trained docent and last about 30 minutes. The last tour will start at 3 p.m. "The Day House was built in 1754 by Josiah Day who purchased the land in 1746 from William Pynchon when West Springfield was a part of Springfield. Pynchon purchased Springfield from a grant that was funded by the King of England,"said Phyllis Austin-Bertera president of the Ramapogue Historical Society(RHS) in an interview with Reminder Publications on July 26. The original copy of the deed signed by Josiah Day hangs in the house. "The Day House for over 150 years was home to four generations of the Day Family. It was acquired by the Ramapogue Historical Society(RHS) in 1902 and has been open for tours since that time," said Bertera. "It was previously owned by the last four Day sisters," she said. One known member of the Day family includes Luke Day, one of Shays' top lieutenants during Shays' Rebellion in 1786. The RHS is a group of people who wanted to preserve this house, said Bertera, who added that the group is always looking for new members. Tours are free to members of the RHS, three-dollars for non-member adults and one-dollar for non-member children 12 and under. "Recently we have opened up the house to fifth grade tours," said |