About three years ago, Joseph Ingoldsby began the process of interviewing elders for a project that highlights the area’s history.

When the Dartmouth Historical Commission member spoke to several individuals from Dartmouth and surrounding towns, he realized that many of his interviewees were farmers and fishermen who were eager to share their life stories.

“I listened and transcribed the stories and gathered photographs and prints to illustrate each story,” said Ingoldsby, who in the past worked as a landscape architect and who owned a farm himself.

The result of Ingoldsby’s research is a timeline of farming and fishing life in the area called "Farmers and Fishers: Portraits, Words, and Tools" told through photos and artifacts that are currently on display on the third floor at Dartmouth’s Town Hall.

Ingoldsby said his research revealed a change in the way food is produced locally, and though many of the old traditions have faded away, new practices have helped keep the areas industries alive.

“The farmer of today adds value through new technology, forging new markets, creating new products, as Shy Brothers Cheese from raw milk or Silverbrook Farm's jams from fruit,” said Ingoldsby. “However, the basic principles and traditions of sustainability and the family farm continue to this day on the South Coast.”

Ingoldsby gathered photos from private collections, museums and through Spinner Publications and other sources to create the timeline, which highlights several Dartmouth farms and farmers.

“We bring you through the typical farm family until the current day,” he said.

One of the specifics of his presentation is the dairy industry, which he said was very prominent in the past.

“There were 18 or so dairies just along Bakerville to Russells Mills to Rock O’Dundee (roads),” he said. “And they were all family dairies pretty much.”

Another tradition highlighted in the presentation is the annual Allen's Neck clambake, which he said has taken place for over 125 years, though it no longer features the summer mackerel that were once prevalent in Dartmouth’s waters.

“They don’t come in anymore,” he said. “The water’s too warm.”

Ingoldsby said a lot of the fishing traditions once carried out in Dartmouth are no longer in existence, though recently the herring returned to Russells Mills after a lengthy hiatus.

“Dams, overfishing, pollution and water temperature were all factors,” noted Ingoldsby, who said that sword-fishing was once a popular tradition in the area.

Ingoldsby said that farmers and fishermen in the area have been forced to adapt, and things like oyster farms and growing with hydroponics have allowed local businesses to continue to thrive despite changing conditions.

“In order to survive, a farmer has to be smart, savvy and expand the market,” he said. “It’s old and new. It’s a full circle.”

The show is accessible during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. The key to the gallery is available in the Select Board Office. The third floor dioramas and panels are accessible without a key.