Historic Freeport Village Guided Walking Tours, Each Thursday 3pm and Saturday 9am, Beginning June 13th
Join us on a 50- minute guided stroll around FreeportVillage and learn about historic Freeport’s architectural and economic heritage and the early Town leaders who settled in this area as our Historic Freeport Village Walking Tours begin for the year on Thursday, June 13th at 3:00pm and Saturday, June 15th at 9:00am. All tours start at historic Harrington House, 45 Main Street. Tickets are $10/adult. FHS Members: $5.00. Reserve and purchase your ticket and be assured a spot on the tour of your choice!
Tour participants are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear.
Tours will continue each Thursday and Saturday throughout the summer.
Additional tours may be available by appointment.
FMI: 207-865-3170 or www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org
NEW Kids Mini-Baseball Camp, Fun Run and more at our 4th Annual Vintage Baseball Game!
Join us on Sunday, June 23rd for a day filled with baseball! New this year are lots of pre-game activities for kids. This event is sponsored by Freeport Historical Society with underwriting support from Norway Savings Bank.
From 10a-noon, Maine Baseball Hall of Famer, Mort Soule, brings his famous baseball camp to Pettengill for kids ages 7-12. Bring your glove—we’ll have equipment. Learn to run, hit, field and throw! $15/child. Family: $40 max. Register now to avoid disappointment! Call us today at 865-3170.
From noon- 12:20p, we’re hosting a Hit for Distance Contest and from 12:30p-1p is a Fun Flag Run. Get more details on these activities and sign up by calling us. There is no charge for participation.
Casey at the Bat will be read by Mort Soule at 1:15p (he just read Casey at Fenway Park’s Maine Day!) We’ll also have a terrific vintage baseball card collection on display.
Promptly at 1:30p, the Vintage Baseball game between rivals Dirigo (ME) and Ipswich(MA) commences. The teams play according to the 1860 rules. Ump, Peter Pert will be on the field to explain those rules to all “cranks” (fans!) Game rules will be posted on our website and will be available at the game. After the teams play, the community is invited to play the teams!
Adult tix: $5.00. Members and kids are free.
Our favorite accordion band, The Maine Squeeze, will again be joining us playing old time favorites.
Enjoy hot dogs, ice cream, and yes, beer (only because it is historically correct!)
Bring your folding chairs, blankets and umbrellas (or sit in our bleachers—new this year!) and enjoy baseball as it was played in its earliest days—on a farm field.
Historic Pettengill Farm is located 1.5mi from the main LLBean store. Turn down Bow Street, off of Main and watch for Pettengill Road on the right. Turn in and proceed down dirt road. We’ll help you park.
Join us and support Dirigo. Let’s show Massachusetts “what for!”
FMI: (207)865-3170 or info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org or www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org
Harraseeket Heritage Day and Harborside Gala – To benefit Freeport Historical Society
Freeport Historical Society will be host to an exciting day and evening on the waterfront in South Freeport on June 22. Families and individuals are invited to come down to Brewer South Freeport Marine for a lively public celebration of Freeport’s maritime past, including tours and sails aboard the windjammer Frances, pirate-themed kids’ activities, guided historic walking tours, knot-tying and oyster-shucking demonstrations, and maritime shanties and jigs.
In the evening, Freeport Historical Society will stage the Harborside Gala at Brewer South Freeport Marine, with entertainment by pianist Wally McPherson and the Jason Spooner Band, sushi bar with chef, delicious hors d’oeuvres, Gritty’s beer, and signature Harborside rum drink. Silent and live auctions will feature Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots tickets; L.L.Bean kayak; chair by Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers; Harraseeket Castle charm by Brown Goldsmiths; and much more. All events will benefit Freeport Historical Society and their public programs and two historic properties.
Celebrating the maritime history of Freeport, the windjammer Frances will be at Brewer South Freeport Marine for deck tours and sailing tours. Owned by Maine Sailing Adventures, whose mission is to bring the lore and memory of the traditional windjammer era back to southern Maine, the Frances was built in Portland with support from Wallace Soule, a Freeport native, who was an integral part of the hull and finish work construction. She is an environmentally conscious vessel, sailing traditionally without an engine aboard. With her wide beam and high caprail design, all ages are able to move freely about the deck, even while under full sail.
Also on hand, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, providing entertainment and education for all ages, will be the Compass Project, showcasing their skills in boat-building; the crew of the Frances, teaching knot-tying; Freeport Shellfish Commission and Maine Clammers Association, featuring a saltwater touch tank; Freeport Historical Society, leading guided walking tours of South Freeport; and Maine Oysters Inc., offering a sampling of their Flying Point Oysters. A tent for kids will feature face painting, pirate tattoos, photo booth, mini-boat building, and storytelling. Hannaford Supermarkets will offer festive barbecue fare for lunch, while Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Company will serve up their famous chowder, all included in the entrance fee.
Funds supporting the public programs of Freeport Historical Society will be raised through ticket sales for the Harraseeket Heritage Day events, guided walking tours, sailing tours aboard the Frances, and entrance to the Harborside Gala, as well as all proceeds from the evening auctions. All events are open to the public, and advance tickets for sailing tours and the Harborside Gala are now available for purchase at Freeport Historical Society, in person (45 Main Street, Freeport) or online at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org, or at Brewer South Freeport Marine.
Harraseeket Heritage Day events will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Brewer South Freeport Marine, with an entrance fee of $5 per person, or $20 per family. Deck tours of the Frances will be held during that time and are included in the entrance fee. Guided walking tours are $5 per person and will be led by architectural historian and author, Annie Robinson. Two-hour sailing tours will depart at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, with a limited supply of tickets for $30 per person available in advance. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent and must provide their own PFDs.
Harborside Gala tickets are $50 per person and are available in advance or at the door. Events begin at 6:00 pm, with hors d’oeuvres, sushi bar, and music from pianist Warren McPherson offered during the silent auction. Beverages will be available for purchase. At 8:00 pm, the live auction will begin, followed by live music and dancing, with the Jason Spooner Band performing.
Sponsors include Brewer South Freeport Marine; Hannaford Supermarkets; Todd H. Doolan of Morgan Stanley; Autowerkes Maine; Bob Knecht, Town & Shore; Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster; Mary K. Noyes, entrepreneur(e); and Curtis Thaxter – Attorneys at Law.
Established in 1969, Freeport Historical Society is a non-profit with a mission of collecting, teaching, preserving and sharing the history of Freeport, Maine. FHS’s website is www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org. 
Constance E. Putnam, Ph.D. to speak at 44th Annual Meeting of Freeport Historical Society
The Trustees of Freeport Historical Society invite everyone to the 44 th Annual Meeting of Freeport Historical Society taking place Thursday, May 2nd, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive.
A special exhibit of six oil paintings depicting various Freeport locations, done by former Freeporter, John D. Davis, will be on display. In addition, some recent additions to the Collections will be displayed.
The evening begins with a brief Business Meeting which will include a quick review of 2012 programs, voting on proposed Trustees, introduction of the new slate of Officers, and a farewell to our President, Todd Nicholson. Presentation of the Mel Collins Community Service Award, Partners in Preservation Award, as well as a Recognition Ceremony for volunteers will also take place.
We are honored to have as our special guest speaker this year independent scholar, author and lecturer, Constance E. Putnam, whose presentation is titled, “A Cure Worse Than Disease? Early Years of Medical Care.”
New Hampshire born and bred (and the daughter of a rural general practitioner), Dr. Putnam holds a Ph.D. in Medicine and Society from Tufts University and was a Fulbright Research Fellow.
Beverages and sweets will be available.
FMI: www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org or 207-865-3170
Postponed until Summer 2014 – Help us Build a Skiff this Summer!
With regret, we are rescheduling the Pettengill Farm Boat-building Camp with Compass Project until Summer, 2014. In spite of the best efforts of both the Compass Project and the Historical Society, we found that accurately identifying the style and size of the original Pettengill skiff, and matching this information to appropriate building plans, will take much more time than we initially estimated. We are confident of having everything in place for next year.
Thank you for your support of this important project. Watch for information next Spring! If you would like to add your name to our notification list for this event please contact us at info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org.
Freeport Historical Society and Compass Project have embarked on an exciting project taking place at historic Pettengill Farm in August, 2013.
The Pettengill Farm Boatbuilding Camp presents a unique opportunity for 8-10 Freeport and Freeport area kids to spend a week building a replica of a skiff that was used as a work boat at Pettengill Farm( which borders the Harraseeket estuary.) Photographic documentation from Mildred Pettengill will guide us on the skiff’s size and lines.
To further enrich the educational experience and meaning associated with this modest skiff, we plan we construct it, as much as possible, from lumber from Pettengill (as would have been done originally.)
Young people, aged 12 years and older, will work together to build the skiff, document its creation through photos and logs and, on a daily basis, learn how the marshes and rivers played a key role in the life of a saltwater farm. Building a small skiff in a week isn’t easy, but the challenge is what makes it so rewarding and fun. The campers’ hard work will result in a skiff that will be used at the farm for years to come as part of its educational mission. We are working with RSU5 to identify student participants and we have also reached out to Seeds of Independence.
We are asking for your support for the Pettengill Farm Boatbuilding Camp this summer. This weeklong boatbuilding camp is collaboration between Compass Project and Freeport Historical Society. We are asking the community for its support in underwriting this exciting new program.
Compass Project and the Freeport Historical Society plan to offer this opportunity to interested kids, regardless of their financial resources. In order to accomplish that, we need your support. Your donation will allow us to offer aid to kids eager to discover more about Freeport’s vibrant history, learn the boatbuilding basics, and create a lasting gift to the community. Your tax-deductible gift will ensure a camper’s place in the program. We hope that you will join other Freeporter’s in lending your support to the Pettengill Farm Boatbuilding Camp.
A celebratory Launching party will be hosted at Pettengill Farm and will include a “maiden voyage” for all donors. In addition, donor names will be permanently noted a plaque mounted on the skiff.
Thank you for your considering this unique opportunity to support local children in a meaningful and important project, and a new partnership between two non-profits and the schools.
Please contact Christina White, Director of Freeport Historical Society, at 865-3170 to learn more. Donations can be sent to 45 Main Street, Freeport, ME04032 c/o Freeport Historical Society or can be made online at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org.
Some helpful links from Dr. Richard Brzozowski, instructor for our Apple Pruning Seminar.
The following links are from Dr. Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator – Agriculture - University of Maine Cooperative Extension, who led our Apple Tree Pruning seminar which took place at Pettengill Farm on March 17th. Attendees may find these links interesting for more information, and those who were unable to attend might find valuable information here. Enjoy!
On-line information from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension on pruning fruit trees.
http://umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/pruning/
Video on how to prune fruit trees
http://umaine.edu/gardening/videos/how-to-prune-apple-trees/
Growing Fruit Trees in Maine – an online publication that addresses several types of fruit trees.
http://umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/
In addition, you might encourage the participants to sign up to receive a free, monthly, electronic newsletter for home gardeners – The Maine Home Garden News. Here is the link to subscribe for free.
http://umaine.edu/gardening/maine-home-garden-news/
April 14th – Moses Greenleaf, Maine’s First Mapmaker — Illustrated Presentation
Moses Greenleaf, Maine’s First Mapmaker, Illustrated Presentation
On Sunday, April 14th, 1:30p at Harrington House, 45 Main Street, the public is invited to a fascinating illustrated presentation by Osher Map Library educator, Holly Hurd.
Moses Greenleaf, Maine’s First Mapmaker, is the title of this one- hour program, which will include images of his early maps, including the roads around Freeport, and information about how he contributed to settlement of Maine’s interior.
Ms. Hurd is completing her Master’s degree in American & New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine in May, 2013. She has been working in Education Outreach at the Osher Map Library in Portland since 2008. She has served on the Boards of the North Yarmouth Historical Society and Skyline Farm and CarriageMuseum and worked as a Project Archivist at the North Yarmouth and Yarmouth Historical Societies.
Holly publishes articles regularly in the tri-annual “North Yarmouth Historical Society Gazette.” She is the co-author of “Around North Yarmouth,” and is a contributor to the history of “The Church at Walnut Hill.”
Light refreshments will be served. Available for sale and signing by Ms. Hurd is her book, The Moses Greenleaf Primer.” In addition, “Settling the Maine Wilderness” by Walter MacDougall will be available for sale. Both are published by the Osher Library Associates in 2010 and 2006 respectively.
Tickets are $5.00pp FHS members, free.
For more information call us at (207) 865-3170.
On March 17th, Learn To Prune Apple Trees at historic Pettengill Farm in Freeport!
On Sunday, March 17th from 2:00pm-3:15pm at historic Pettengill Farm in Freeport, join us for a timely, hands-on workshop where participants will learn how to correctly prune apple and other fruit trees. Teaching this session is University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator, Dr. Richard J. Brzozowski.
Tools and goggles will be provided. Work gloves and appropriate footwear are advised as we will be working outside during the entire session.
Dick will share why, when and where to prune fruit trees with an eye
to maintaining healthy and productive trees.
Dr. Richard Brzozowski obtained his Doctoral Degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia in Agricultural Education. In his work as Extension Educator, he travels throughout the County educating all agricultural topics. In addition, he oversees the popular Master Gardener program for Cumberland County.
Pettengill Farm is owned and maintained by the Freeport Historical Society(FHS). This 140-acre saltwater farm features an early 1800’s saltbox, open fields, and wooded trails. Its’ small apple orchard, the focus of the workshop, likely dates back seventy or more years.
Freeport Historical Society wants to rehabilitate the trees and bring the orchard back to full productivity.
The fee for this workshop is $5.00. FHS Members may participate at no charge. Registration and payment is required in advance. To do so and to get directions to Pettengill Farm, please call FHS at (207) 865-3170 or email us via our website www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org. In case of inclement weather, please check our website for an update or call our office for cancellation information.
Students from Spring Hill School at Mast Landing School Visit the Historical Society, February 15, 2013.
Students from the Spring Hill School at Mast Landing School join us at Harrington House as part of their community service project, Hearts Beat in the Community, Friday, February 15th.
The four students (and parent chaperones) were guided by FHS volunteer, Bethany Porter. Students undertook two very useful projects during their 90 minute visit. First, they helped create a word game which will be part of our new exhibit’s activity area opening on May 17th.
Then, a box of film negatives from the Times-Record newspaper ( donated to us by the Pejepscot Historical Society) was sorted by the students. Thank you Spring Hill students and parents!
Peddling Your Wares: A Look at Itinerant Merchants in Early 19th c. New England Presentation and Rum Tasting
Join us on Sunday, March 10th, 1:30pm at the Freeport Community Library for a very special one- hour presentation entitled, Peddling Your Wares: A Look at Itinerant Merchants in Early 19th c New England. Tom Kelleher, Curator of Historic Trades, Mills, and Mechanical Arts at OldSturbridgeVillage, created this fascinating first-person “visit” where we will learn how a wide variety of goods reached settlements and where an exchange of news might be considered more important than a yard of imported cloth!
Following a brief Q&A session, we’ll host a rum tasting of Eight Bells, a light rum produced by New England Distilleries. Rum was sold in local general goods stores during the 19th c. Thank you to Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern for pouring at this event.
From Mr. Kelleher’s program description, “In the 1800s, thousands of travelling salesmen brought goods from around the world to the homes of farm families, as part of a growing consumer revolution. They also brought news, stories and conversation to people who were not instantly tied to the outside world by television and the internet as we are today.”
Mr. Kelleher has primary responsibility for the OldSturbridgeVillage collections and exhibitions, particularly of antique tools, machinery, mills, firearms, and vehicles. He develops collections-based exhibits and programs, and conducts research into these areas of material culture. In addition, he has primary responsibility for training costumed staff in social history, material culture, and interpretive techniques.
Tickets to the presentation: $5.00 at the door
FMI: Freeport Historical Society at 865-3170, www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org or friend us on Face book
This program is funded in part through the generous support of the Maine Humanities Council.
