Freeport Historical Society - Freeport, Maine

Harrington House · 45 Main St.
Freeport, Maine · 207.865.3170

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An Evening With the Collections

July 26, 2018

The Collections Committee of Freeport Historical Society has developed a new initiative to create an advocacy group–“Friends of the Collections.” Members would be centrally involved in establishing and maintaining a “Collections Fund,” and in making decisions about historical items offered for sale.
We are hosting an event to showcase some of our most important collections. Please come to learn more about our historical artifacts, and to consider whether you would like to join us. We hope to sponsor these gathering regularly, so if you are not able to attend this time, please let us know if you might be interested in the future.

Thursday, August 23 at 7:00 PM
Freeport Historical Society
45 Main Street

Please RSVP at info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org

Filed Under: Upcoming Events

Restoration of Halfway Rock Light, a lecture by Ford Reiche

November 6, 2018

Thursday November 15, 2018 at 6:PM at the Freeport Library 

Ford Reiche has owned and restored four buildings on the National Registry of Historic Places. Recently he renovated a local lighthouse which has become the recipient of local and national awards. The restoration is the subject of a recent book and documentary on Discovery/DIY channels.

In 1871, the federal government built Halfway Rock Light Station at the entrance to Casco Bay, ten miles off shore from what was then one of the busiest ports in America. Called a “stag lighthouse” because it was deemed too dangerous for women or families, it was staffed 24/7 for 105 years by rugged men who survived harsh conditions, and rowed all the way to Portland for shore leave. In 1975, the federal government automated the horn and light, then abandoned the station to the ravages of Mother Nature. On 2012, Halfway Rock was placed at the top of a list of The Most Endangered Lighthouses In America. After 40 years of neglect, the station was sold at auction by the government in 2014 . The auction sale was delayed by 14 months because it was discovered that the federal government did not actually own the station, and it took a special act of the Maine legislature to clear the title.

At the time of sale water was leaking through all seven stories of the granite tower, broken out windows and doors were boarded up, and most of the 120’ dock had been washed away. Over the course of three years a complete restoration has brought the buildings of Halfway Rock back to their original condition, ready to fend off Mother Nature for a few more decades.

 

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

Writing Contest

October 8, 2018

Freeport Historical Society announces their 2nd Annual Writing Contest from Oct 1-Dec 14, 2018. The contest is associated with our exhibit Blacksmiths and Storekeepers: Freeport Village, Crossroads of Change, 1770-1920 and is open to schoolchildren and adults in Maine who visit the exhibit. It will be judged by local writers and teachers and features historical prizes for winners in three categories. Visit www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org for details.

Writing contest brochure 2018_

Filed Under: 2018, News, Upcoming Events

New Book Talk & Reception: Freeport Through the Years by Holly Hurd

October 4, 2018

From the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing, this book contains 229 previously unpublished historic photographs with new research and information. Holly’s presentation will highlight historic images from the book and include behind-the-scenes bonus material. Reception to start at 6:00pm. $5 or free with a purchase of a book. Seating is limited so advanced registration is recommended. 

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

Ghosts of Freeport’s Past

September 14, 2018

UPDATE:

Due to rain tomorrow 10/27, we will be offering one indoor performance of Ghosts of Freeport’s Past at the First Parish Church at 7pm. Guests are also welcome to attend the Sunday performance at 3:30 at the First Parish Church.

 

Presented by Freeport Historical Society and the Freeport Players

Thursday through Saturday, October 25-27, 2018

6:30, 7:00, and 7:30pm

Woodlawn Cemetery

In the event of inclement weather, one evening show at 7pm will take place at First Parish Church, 40 Main Street.

The interred of Woodlawn Cemetery will provide Ghost Tours for all those present in the flesh. Our Ghost host will greet us with a brief history of the cemetery and introduce us to friends who are haunting the cemetery. All apparitions will be portrayed by actors from the Freeport Players, in period costume who will materialize and share stories from their mortal state. Note: This event is historical, not scary, and is appropriate for school-aged children.

An indoor performance will take place on Sunday, October 28th at 3:30pm at the First Parish Church on Main Street. Tickets to be sold online and available at the door. 

PURCHASE TICKETS

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

43rd Annual PETTENGILL FARM DAY

August 17, 2018

Sunday Sep 30th, 2018 

10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

31 Pettengill Road 

Join us at for a day of family fun at our pristine 140-acre Salt Water Farm. There is always a lot to see and do on this 200+ year old farmstead as we celebrate rural life of the 1800’s.  We will enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, kid’s crafts and games, farm animals, apple cider pressing, specialty walks on the grounds, agility-dog exhibition, lunch and more. The original farmhouse will be open that day and guided tours available. Old Time Baseball is back and played to 1860’s rules.  A youth participation inning is included. Adults $5 Children $2. 

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

Mast Landing Lecture by David Coffin

August 8, 2018

Freeport Public Library

September 18, 2018

6PM

A view of the history of the Mast Landing area from 1760-1860, including masting, ship building, and the mills and brickyards. We will look at the impact the Dennison family had on the area and their contribution to the economic growth and expansion of Mast Landing. We will also cover the growth of the road structure and its importance, a time line of selected homes, and discuss important lotting maps by the decade complied E. S. Coffin. A scale drawing of the mill site will be shown with details on the mills never before discussed. The lecture will be given on Tuesday September 18, 2018 at 6PM at the Freeport Library.

Refreshments and a display of Mast Landing lotting maps by E.S. Coffin will be on view. $5 donation. 

 

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

Looking For Volunteers

August 1, 2018

The Freeport Historical Society is looking for volunteers. Below is a list of projects we could use assistance with. Please respond to info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org with interest.

  1. Index the Six Town Times and Freeport Sentinel Newspapers

 

A newspaper published weekly from 1892-1916, the Six Town Times reported on news pertaining to and relevant for the six towns of ancient North Yarmouth: Freeport, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and Harpswell.

 

Freeport Historical Society has a collection of bound volumes of the Six Town Times covering most of the years it was published. A volunteer indexed the years 1893-1900, and we need to extend her index to include the years from 1901-1916. Several issues are also digitized online, so some of the work could be done from a home computer.

 

We also have several issues of the Freeport Sentinel from 1889-1892 to be indexed.

 

This project would be interesting for anyone who likes history as it requires reading through the old newspapers and recording names, places, and important topics and organizing them by category.

 

  1. Watermark and Resize Digitized Photographs- compile information for adding to website

 

  1. Digitize Collection Finding Aids, Cemetery Records, and Town Records recently copied

 

  1. Expand Inventory of Small Collections and Digitize

Filed Under: 2018, Collections, News

3rd Annual Plant Sale

April 24, 2018

 

Saturday May 19, 2018 at the Harrington House

Get a head start on your spring gardening! Purchase annuals and perennials from our own plant sale. This is a fundraiser for our gardens. Please consider donating a few of your perennials to our sale. Drop off on the porch May 17th and 18th. Thank you for your support for our downtown oasis! Baked goods to be sold by the Freeport Woman’s Club.

 

 

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

ANNUAL MEETING AND TRIBUTE

April 24, 2018

Sunday April 29, 2018 5:00-7:00pm
South Freeport Church

Join us for a reception and a brief business meeting. We will be presenting our annual awards and honoring three influential Freeport historic preservationists: Vicki Lowe, Mary-Eliza Wengren, and the late Sally Rand. Our volunteer of the year will be named along with the preservationist of the year. We will also be launching our Historic House Marker program and highlighting selected homes. Light refreshments provided.

Sign up encouraged.

Filed Under: 2018, Upcoming Events

Freeport Revisted Part 2. Come and Share your Memories!

March 7, 2018

Due to the great interest generated at the Freeport Revisited event on February 24th, the Freeport Historical Society will host a part two. This will be an opportunity for you to share your memories of living around Main Street Freeport during the 50’s through the 70’s. Join your fellow neighbors as we share fond experiences of growing up in Freeport in a fun, informal, friendly setting. Please come with your favorite story and any pictures you may have. Saturday, March 17th, 2:00 – 4:00 at 45 Main Street, Freeport. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, the 18th, same time.

Filed Under: 2018, News, Upcoming Events Tagged With: Freeport, freeport history, memories

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