Maine Archives & Museums Happenings for the Public at MAM Member Institutions

Touring Through Time: Weekend Celebration at the The Historical Societies of the East Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Peninsula, July 28 and 29

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:19:31 GMT

Touring Through Time

Weekend Celebration at the The Historical Societies of the East Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Peninsula

Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29

The Historical Societies of the East Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Peninsula invite you to visit us, enjoy our displays, learn about our local heritage and, perhaps, your own family history. The weekend will include special events, live demonstrations, and music at nine different sites in the area. For more information, contact the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society at (207) 348-6400.

*"Merit Is Better Than Fame: History of the First 10th and 29th Maine Regiments": Lecture at the Saco Museum, July 27

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:18:13 GMT

*Merit Is Better Than Fame: History of the First 10th and 29th Maine Regiments

A lecture by Historian Nick Picerno at the Saco Museum

Saturday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.

The 10th Maine mustered into the Union Army for a two-year service on October 4, 1861 in Portland, Maine and was mustered out on May 8, 1863. The 29th Maine Infantry was organized in Augusta, Maine and mustered in December 17, 1863, for three years’ service under the command of Colonel George Lafayette Beal. Company A and Company D were transferred in from the 10th Maine Infantry Battalion on May 30, 1864. Come join Nicolas Picerno as he shares the fruits of his 30 years of research on the 1st, 10th, and 29th Maine Infantry regiments. The Dyer Library/Saco Museum is located at 371 Main Street, Saco. FMI: (207) 283-3861 / www.dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org

"A Place of Tranquil Beauty: Wiscasset’s Sunken Garden": Lecture at the Nickels-Sortwell House, July 26

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:17:27 GMT

A Place of Tranquil Beauty: Wiscasset’s Sunken Garden

Lecture at the Nickels-Sortwell House, Wiscasset

Friday, July 26, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

After Wiscasset’s Hilton House Hotel burned to the ground in 1903, Frances Sortwell, whose family owned the house across the street, put the hotel’s stone foundation to good use. Miss Frances and her friends, including Rose Isabel Greeley, one of the first female landscape architects in the country, transformed the dismal site into a magical sunken garden and a place of tranquil beauty. Join Historic New England’s Cathy Messmer to explore the creation of this special garden space. The lecture includes a look at other sunken gardens created by women in the same period. Lecture in the Barn followed by a firsthand look at the Sunken Garden just across the street. $5 Historic New England members, $10 nonmembers. Registration is required. The Nickels-Sortwell House is located at 121 Main Street (Route 1); access to the barn is from Federal Street. FMI: (207) 882-7169.

Annual Summer Festival at the Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum, July 20 and 21

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:16:37 GMT

Annual Summer Festival

Event at the Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum, Orrington

Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Offered in conjunction with Maine Open Farm Day, the Curran Homestead’s annual festival features living-history activities, homemade food, and good old-fashioned summer fun in the Homestead’s lakeside milieu. The two-day event caps off Orrington’s “Old Home Week,” a weeklong celebration of the riverfront town’s 225th anniversary. 372 Field’s Pond Road, Orrington. FMI: (207) 356-5076 / www.curranhomestead.org.

Silent Movies at the Old Town House presented by the Union Historical Society, July 20

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:15:42 GMT

Silent Movies at the Old Town House

Screenings presented by the Union Historical Society

Saturday, July 20, 7 p.m.

The Union Historical Society will present short comedy films from the early careers of famous silent movie stars. Doug Protsik, director of the Maine Fiddle Camp and of The Old Grey Goose band, will play the non-stop piano accompaniment from his own score. Union Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of Susan Fay, whose generosity underwrites this event. Doors open at the Old Town House at 6:30 p.m. and admission is $5.00. Entrance is free for young people up to the age of 21, and for present and former military personnel with some form of ID. The program will run for about an hour. FMI: (207) 785-5444.

Children’s Heritage Fair at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center, July 20

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:14:51 GMT

Children’s Heritage Fair

Family event at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center

Saturday, July 20, 1-3 p.m.

The whole family will enjoy a look back to the mid 1800’s with a special emphasis on what activities children enjoyed and the life of the mid-19th-century youth. Come join in with demonstrations and games, tour the History House, and frolic the afternoon away beside the mighty Kennebec with refreshments of the period. The Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center is located at 66 Elm Street, Skowhegan. FMI: (207) 474-6632 / www.skowheganhistoryhouse.org.

Come Spring Bus Tours at Union Historical Society, July 19 and 20

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:14:06 GMT

Come Spring Bus Tours

Tours at Union Historical Society

Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20

Tickets are now on sale for two Come Spring bus tours to take place on Founders Day weekend in Union. The first tour departs the Old Town House, 128 Town House Road, Union, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday July 19, and the second tour starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday July 20. The popular narrated 2-hour bus tours follow the Georges River Scenic Byway, identifying sites where Union’s early settlers built cabins and lived. The names of the settlers are documented in town records, and their lives and stories are recounted by Ben Ames Williams in his 1940 historical novel Come Spring, reprinted and sold by the Union Historical Society. Tickets, priced at $10.00, may be purchased in advance at the Robbins House, headquarters of Union Historical Society, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, or by calling (207) 785-5444 and leaving a message.

"Lost and Found: The 1607 Popham Colony": Lecture presented by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, July 15

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:13:14 GMT

Lost and Found: The 1607 Popham Colony

Lecture presented by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid

Monday, July 15, 7:30 p.m.

This lecture is presented by John W. Bradford of Maine’s First Ship, a non-profit devoted to reconstructing the pinnace Virginia, now underway at Bath. Bradford is the author of a book that compiles the research of early 17th-century English shipbuilding that became the basis of the Virginia’s reconstruction design. It was at the Popham Colony’s Fort St. George that colonists

managed to complete construction of the small ship, a 30 ton pinnace they christened Virginia, the first English ship built in Maine and probably in all of North America. The lecture will take place at the Contented Sole Restaurant adjacent to the museum. Admission is $5, and free for members. FMI: (207) 677-2423 / www.FriendsofColonialPemaquid.org.

"In the Blood": Screening and Performance at the Hiram Historical Society, July 13

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:12:25 GMT

In the Blood

Screening and Performance at the Hiram Historical Society

Saturday, July 13, 1:30 p.m.

After a brief business meeting at 1 p.m., the Hiram Historical Society will present In the Blood, a film and live music documentary of the life of Maine lumbermen and river drivers at the turn of the 20th century. FMI: (207) 625-4762 / gardenlit@gmail.com.

Garden Tour of the Vaughan Homestead, July 13

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:11:41 GMT

Garden Tour of the Vaughan Homestead, Hallowell

Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Vaughan Homestead grounds will be open to ticket holders for the Kennebec Valley Garden Club’s 2013 Garden Tour. Walk the stone paths through our terraced perennial garden, past the 200 year old Black Oxford apple tree and through the tunnel created by a decades old cedar arch. Stroll through our apple orchard to the community garden to see the vegetables, herbs and flowers that community members are raising. Then take a rest on the front porch and enjoy an unparalleled view of the Kennebec River. Details on ticket purchase will be available in mid-May on the Kennebec Valley Garden Club website, (http://mainegardenclubs.org/Kennebec_Valley.html).

"Surveyors and Settlers in the Kennebec Valley at Colonial Pemaquid": Lecture presented by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, July 8

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:11:05 GMT

Surveyors and Settlers in the Kennebec Valley at Colonial Pemaquid

Lecture presented by the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid

Monday, July 8, 7 p.m.

The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid is pleased to sponsor their first evening lecture of the season, presented by Roger Collins, with assistance from Peter Morrisey. Both speakers are historic interpreters at Old Fort Western. For many years prior to the revolution, settlers, squatters, and trappers occupied land in locations so remote that they lacked accurate surveys or viable authority. Land could be had almost for the asking. After the revolution the Kennebec Proprietors, owners of extensive wilderness lands commenced the process of securing their claims. Local farmers dressed in Native American costume resisted surveying efforts and harassed and intimidated surveyors, sheriffs, and deputies. Collins and Morrissey will address this time in Maine history with an emphasis on the role of the surveyor. The lecture will take place at the Contented Sole Restaurant adjacent to the museum. Admission is $5, and free for members. FMI: (207) 677-2423 / www.FriendsofColonialPemaquid.org.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! Event at the Ruggles House, July 7

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:10:19 GMT

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Event at the Ruggles House, Columbia Falls

Sunday, July 7, 1-3 p.m.

Join the Ruggles House for an old-fashioned ice cream social Sunday July 7 from 1-3 p.m.. Enjoying ice cream cones on the lawn and tours of the house are a great way to spend a summer afternoon. Held rain or shine. The Ruggles House is located at 146 Main Street, Columbia Falls. FMI: www.RugglesHouse.org.

“Pictures Serene and Sublime: Traditional White Mountain Art Recaptured”: Exhibit at the Bethel Historical Society, opening July 6

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:09:33 GMT

“Pictures Serene and Sublime: Traditional White Mountain Art Recaptured”

Exhibit at the Bethel Historical Society

Opening July 6

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous artists (including many from the so-called Hudson River School) captured the awe-inspiring summits and verdant glens in the White Mountain region of northern New Hampshire and western Maine. Including many of these early landscapes, this exhibit also highlights the work of Erik Koeppel and Lauren Sansaricq, nationally-recognized plein-air artists who have developed a love for the expressive potentials of traditional representation. The eight-week exhibition, a collaboration between the Bethel Historical Society and the Museum of White Mountain Art at Jackson, New Hampshire, will feature a variety of White Mountain landscapesundefinedmost of which will be for saleundefinedby these two highly acclaimed artists. Purchases will benefit the Bethel or Jackson historical societies. Mason House exhibit hall; Free (donations appreciated). The Bethel Historical Society is located at 10 Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: (207) 824-2908 / www.bethelhistorical.org.

Behind Closed Doors Tours of Castle Tucker, July 5

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:08:22 GMT

Behind Closed Doors

Tours of Castle Tucker, Wiscasset

Friday, July 5 and September 6, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Come and peek into the nooks and crannies of Castle Tucker on a special Behind Closed Doors Tour. Led by Site Manager Peggy Konitzky, this leisurely in-depth tour includes rooms and stories not included on the general tour. See additional bedrooms and unique connecting spaces on three floors of this thirty room mansion. Advance registration is required. $10 Historic New England members, $15 nonmembers. Castle Tucker is located at 2 Lee Street, Wiscasset. FMI: l (207) 882-7169.

Celebrate the Glorious Fourth with South Portland Historical Society!

Maine Archives and Museums — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:10:07 GMT

Come join the fun at Bug Light Park where the South Portland Historical Society will host its annual Fourth of July South Portland!  

The museum will open at 10am and the barbecue will start at 11am. Hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage sandwiches and more will be available for
reasonable prices.  At 12 noon, we will enjoy a lively reading of the Declaration of Independence by Benjamin Franklin.

**Afternoon activities for kids will include old-fashioned games at 1:30, followed by Lobster Lore, an educational program sponsored by
Weathervane Seafoods, at 2pm.** 

Celebrate our nation’s birthday with music, a picnic and games at the park, watch the kite flying (or fly your own) and take in the
spectacular views of Casco Bay. Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks!

Auction

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:31:49 GMT

The Border Historical Society's "Annual Antique Auction" will be held in Eastport on July 3rd.

“200 Years a Landmark: Celebrating the Dr. Moses Mason House": Event at Bethel Historical Society, July 2

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:06:33 GMT

“200 Years a Landmark”: Celebrating the Dr. Moses Mason House

Event at Bethel Historical Society,

Tuesday, July 2, 1:30 p.m.

Join us as we mark the bicentenary of the Society’s Mason House, which was begun in 1813 and renovated and restored by the William Bingham II Trust for Charity in 1972-73. A highlight of this event will be the unveiling of a professionally designed scale model of the Dr. Moses Mason House, Bethel Hill’s oldest residence, created by BHS member James Auman of Warren, New Jersey, and Norway, Maine. Mason House exhibit hall; free and open to the public. The Bethel Historical Society is located at 10 Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: (207) 824-2908 / www.bethelhistorical.org.

Columbia Falls 150th Anniversary Celebration, June 29

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:05:47 GMT

Columbia Falls 150^th Anniversary Celebration

Town-wide house tour

Saturday, June 29, 1 to 4 p.m.

The Ruggles House is pleased to help celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Columbia Falls. Events include a town-wide Historical House Tour on Saturday, June 29, from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring tours of the Ruggles House. And while you participate in other activities, stop in the garden at the Ruggles House for refreshments. The Ruggles House is located at 146 Main Street, Columbia Falls. FMI: www.RugglesHouse.org. For more on the 150th celebration, visit http://www.columbiafallsmerecord.org/150th_Celebration.html.

"Maurice Prendergast: By the Sea": Exhibition at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, June 29 through October 13

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:05:13 GMT

Maurice Prendergast: By the Sea

Exhibition at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick

June 29 through October 13

This is the first exhibition to present the seaside work of the Post-Impressionist painter Maurice Prendergast (American, 1858-1924), whose sophisticated and sensitive renderings of beaches, coves, and bathers were often inspired by his visits to Maine. The exhibition brings together works with identifiable locations in Maine and elsewhere, with paintings whose “place” is not defined by geography but by their context in the grand traditions of western art. FMI: (207) 725-3275 / bowdoin.edu/art-museum.

*Living History Tours at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center begin June 29

Maine Archives and Museums — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:04:36 GMT

*Living History Tours

At the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore

Opens for the summer on June 29

Norlands opens on Saturday, June 29, for “Living History Tours” and will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from June 29 through August 31. Visitors to the site are engaged by people who portray a local person, someone you might have met had you visited in 1870. It could be someone cooking in the farmer’s cottage, if it’s not too hot, or a Washburn granddaughter, Ada Washburn or Anna Maud Washburn, in the Washburn Mansion, or the school ma’am in the one-room schoolhouse who will encourage you to practice your mental arithmetic and penmanship using a quill pen under her watchful eye. On Saturdays, the 1887 Washburn library will be open for a special program on Livermore soldiers during the Civil War. Living history tours are a fun way to learn about history and what rural Maine life was like in the late 1800s. Bring your imagination and ask all the questions you want. You can bring a picnic lunch and we will provide the lawn, the picnic table and the beautiful setting. $10 adult/$6 children under 12 yo. FMI: www.norlands.org / (207) 897-4366.