Roosevelt Trail History Tour hits road for second year

By Erin Rose

Members of the public are welcome to journey through history during the Second Annual Roosevelt Trail Historical Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The public can tour the Raymond-Casco Historical Museum 
in Casco and other historical sites including some in
Windham during the Second Annual Roosevelt Trail 
Historical Tour running from Westbrook to Harrison
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12.
COURTESY PHOTO  

A dozen different historical sites, from Westbrook to Harrison, will be open for visitors to tour at no charge. Refreshments will also be available at some locations.

“There are some new sites for this year,” said Bill Brennan from the Raymond-Casco Historical Society. “We had eight last year, and we have 12 now.”

One of the new additions had hoped to join last year but was unable to welcome visitors for last year’s tour after moving into a new location at 214 Main St. in Bridgton and is excited to join the trail historical tour this year.

“The Bridgton Historical Society had just taken over the Methodist Church on Main St.,” Brennan said. “They had to back out two or three weeks before because they weren’t going to be ready.”

Another new site for visitors is the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Museum, located on the first floor of the Bridgton Historical Society. The group is working to preserve the two-foot narrow gauge railroad that once ran throughout the Lakes Region.

“That’s also an exciting addition,” Brennan said. “They want to do new things, like being able to show how they lay railroad track.”

The event provides a chance for locals who may frequently drive past the historic sites in their day-to-day lives, but who may not have taken a chance to stop in.

“I’ve heard it a dozen times this summer; ‘I’ve never been to the Raymond Casco Historical Society. I’ve seen it on the road and I’ve never dropped in.’,” Brennan said. “People just don’t stop.”

Brennan said that he’s guilty of the same, despite frequent visits to Bridgton.

“I’ve driven through Bridgton and have stopped at the Cool Moose but never stopped at the Rufus Porter Museum,” he said. “I stopped last year and will be doing some of the other sites out west before coming east on that Saturday, just so I can see the Harrison Historical Society.”

The Harrison site, located at 121 Haskell Hill Road, is a new addition to the trail and has new displays this year, including details on notable local businesses, farming equipment, and a replica of a canal boat.

All of the organizations that had previously participated in the tour returned for the second annual event, after seeing a great increase in attendance on the day last year.

“After the event last year, everybody has come back because they had some of their best turnouts,” Brennan said. “Sometimes you’ll get five or ten people showing up on a weekend. Some people had 40, 50, 60 that day.”

A returning site is the Scribners Mill and Homestead at 244 Scribners Hill Road in Harrison. They have recently opened the homestead to visitors who can see how the Scribner family lived when the mill was in operation, in addition to the sawmill.

Brennan said that a recent visit to a more modern milling facility helped show how technology has changed aspects of woodworking.

“My family and I went to Hancock Lumber last summer, and we got a two- or three-hour tour,” he explained. “When you compare what they do there to what Scribners Mill does, it’s exactly the same thing, just in a different era and different technology. Where a guy is looking at a computer screen now, at Scribners, you had a guy there shaping it, doing whatever he could as best as he could with what he had.”

The Raymond-Casco Historical Society Museum will also be participating in the day for the second year and will have a blacksmith operating the museum’s 19th century Watkins Blacksmith Shop. The property, which includes a one-room schoolhouse and 19th century barn in addition to the museum, is located at 1 Shadow Lane in Casco.

The Naples Historical Society and Museum, at 19 Village Green in Naples, will be highlighting their restored jail located on the site, while a guide will be on site at the Quaker Ridge Meeting House from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., located at 141 Quaker Ridge Rd. in Casco. The meeting house, built in 1814, is the oldest such Quaker building in Maine that is still in use today.

The idea for the day was developed from a desire to find a unique way to draw new visitors to the different historical sites that dot the area.

“The Hawthorn Community Association, met with the Raymond-Casco Historical Society a day in March” last year, Brennan said. “We were all talking about how we could reinvigorate our museums and historical sites.”

“This idea popped up amongst us, as something we might try,” he added, noting that the group worked to find a date in the fall that would allow more residents to attend.

The different organizations all meet to develop ideas for each year’s event, and they all are hoping that this becomes a tradition in the vein of other community events.

“It’s a collective effort from all of us,” Brennan said. “We brainstorm together ideas and we’re all invested in this.”

“It’s the second annual and we’re proud of that,” he continued. “We want it to be like the Maple Syrup weekend or the Sebago Fishing Derby, where it gives our community the chance to come out and see us and experience the local history.”

One local organization praised Brennan and the Raymond-Casco Historical Society for their drive to make the event a reality.

“Their society was an integral part in getting this idea off the ground,” said Susan Simonson, President of Windham Historical Society. “Windham Historical Society is pleased to be a part of this unique idea.” For more information on the day and the different sites open for visitors, visit www.raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org <

New chorus sings way to ‘Raymond’s Got Talent’ win

By Erin Rose

Newly formed women’s a capella chorus Harmony 207 captured the audience’s votes to win Raymond’s Got Talent on Friday, July 24.

Formed earlier this year, women's a capella chorus Harmony
207 was the winner of the 'Raymond's Got Talent' contest
on Friday, July 24 at the Hawthorne House in Raymond.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

“Everyone had a great time, and it was a great confidence booster, because it was the first time they’ve sung anything in public as a group,” said Denise “D” Dyer, founder of the group. “It was amazing.”

Hosted by the Hawthorne Community Association at the Hawthorne House, the event featured 12 performances from talented members of the local community, including singers, jugglers and comedians. Two acts were given golden tickets, and the audience selected Harmony 207 as the ultimate winner.

Dyer’s sister, Debbie Redmond, helped embroider shirts with the Harmony 207 logo, enabling the group to look the part during the competition.

“We looked put together,” Dyer said, noting that there were about 45 people in the audience. “Everyone had a blast.”

The group performed two songs, including “Christmas Chopsticks,” a song set to the tune of “Chopsticks” with lyrics that begin with “Twas’ the night before Christmas.”

“We figured we could get away with it at the Hawthorne House because it was July 24,” Dyer said. “If you think of Christmas in July, this was Christmas Eve in July. We did that first, and then “Let There be Peace on Earth”, which is universal and good at any time of the year.”

When asked to perform, Dyer said that the group, which was founded on May 5, was unaware that it would be a competition.

“The really cool thing is that some of the members, when we found out we got to perform, they said ‘what if we suck’ or ‘what if we lose?’” she said. “First of all, I explained, it’s just a performance and a chance to sing before a friendly audience.”

“I know we call it a competition; I prefer to call it a performance and someone else has to decide where it ranks,” Dyer continued. “We just do our best and enjoy the performance and our audience will enjoy it as well.”

The win has energized both those who performed and the members who had to miss the event. While the group membership has grown to 19 women, 13 were able to perform in Raymond.

“These ladies are excited to learn more music and sing in public,” Dyer said. “It was shared with the rest of the group who couldn’t go and made them want to be able to go to the next one.”

The next event will be a Christmas benefit concert that will be held at the Windham Hill United Church of Christ where the group rehearses from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights. Songs at the performance will include “Let There be Peace on Earth” and Con Fullam of Windham’s “The Maine Christmas Song.”

“Their chapel is one of those quaint beautiful New England chapels, with wreathes on the door,” Dyer said, adding that the church permits the group to use the space throughout the year without charge. “It’s what you would picture as a Christmas church.”

“It’s the perfect setting to do Christmas music, including “The Maine Christmas Song”,” she said.

The group continues to grow as the Christmas concert approaches, and Dyer reminds anyone still interested to attend a rehearsal and join in.

“If you know someone who wants to sing but they worry that they’ll feel like they are behind, they shouldn’t worry,” she said. “We’ll help them prioritize what to learn, what to work on, and they’ll learn right along with us when we get the new stuff.”

The upcoming rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 1 will present a great opportunity to join, as they regroup after the busy summer. Members will bring food for a potluck, allowing them to reconnect over a meal and share the tales of their summer adventures before setting goals and beginning rehearsals for the Christmas concert.

“Singing and rehearsing through the summer has been difficult with rotating vacation schedules, so we’re doing a potluck welcome back from summer on Sept. 1,” Dyer said. “Anyone who is interested in singing with us is welcome to come.”

“My goal is that people remember that family comes first and we’re singing because we love to sing, not because we want to compete or because we want to win,” she added. “Right now, the expectation is that people are coming to sing and learn Christmas music to do the concert on Dec. 12.”

As the group grows, Dyer has accelerated her plan to join international parent organization Harmony Incorporated, as a chapter charter, citing the benefits of the extensive resources provided by membership. Founded in 1959, the organization represents 2,000 women, and more than 65 chapters of choruses in the United States and Canada.

“There are a lot of resources available from Harmony Incorporated,” she said. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we can join and be able to reap the benefits of the resources that are available.”

The focus is currently on the Christmas concert, but Dyer said that future goals will likely not be to compete. While the group may ultimately join competitions, the goal is to perform as a way to raise funds to purchase music and other items to support the chorus.

“Competition is expensive,” Dyer explained, accounting for event passes, hotel rooms, food, and transportation to the event. “Music costs money, music tracks cost money. If we want to perform more than Christmas music, which we do, it’s best if we can raise money by doing singing than by having extra events or selling things.”

Dyer continues to seek out new members via the group’s Facebook page, Harmony 207 Windham, Maine, reminding anyone who may be nervous that the group exists to support all singers.

“The voice is an intensely personal thing,” she said. “People are reluctant to put that out there because they fear criticism. There is none of that. This is a place for everyone to sing.”

“If you can sing “Happy Birthday” in tune, you’re welcome to sing with us,” she said.

The Windham Hill UCC is located at 140 Windham Center Road in Windham. More information about the group or meeting can be found on its Facebook page or by reaching out to Dyer at [email protected]. <

Communities collaborate to host first Roosevelt Trail Maine History Tour

By Kendra Raymond

They say there’s strength in numbers. If that’s true, an upcoming history “crawl” through the Lakes Region should be an impactful event. The Roosevelt Trail Maine History Tour will feature eight important historical sites which will be open to the public with free admission at all locations.

Participants in the first Roosevelt Trail Maine History Tour
next month will be able to explore the exquisite staircase
and mural at the Rufus Porter Museum among many 
historic sites stretching from Westbrook to Harrison along
Roosevelt Trail. PHOTO BY DANIEL DINSMORE   

The self-guided auto or bike tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, and features open houses and some guided tours. The route travels all the way from Westbrook to Harrison along the historic Roosevelt Trail. Brochures are available throughout the area and include a list of participating historical sites and museums, a trail map, and museum profiles/ missions.

“Enjoy a leisurely day of rural history along the Roosevelt Trail, Route 302. Visit one, some or all of the historic museums and sites,” information in one brochure says.

Margaret Myatt is the publicity coordinator for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home and the Hawthorne Community Association in Raymond. She says that she is looking forward to the tour and hopes to spread the word to the community.

“It should be a fun event if we can get people out there. I hope it is a well-received event,” she said. “It is sort of an open-house road show of history sites, informal, but easy. I think Windham Recreation caught wind of it and may do a van or bus.”

Myatt also said that they plan to distribute brochures at adult recreation and assisted living facilities in the area. She said that the tour is perfect for all age groups from youngsters and teens to families and seniors.

Roosevelt Trail itself was named for U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who advocated for creating cross-country routes thoroughfares for Americans who were purchasing a newly invented form oof transportation called the automobile. In 1921, the Maine portion of the highway stretching from Portland to Fryeburg was renamed Roosevelt Highway in his memory.

“All people interested or passionate about the history of Maine’s communities are invited to explore a portion of Maine’s western corridor during the first annual Roosevelt Trail Maine History Tour,” according to a recent press release outlining the new tour and festivities. “This event highlights the rich heritage of a portion of Route 302 – also known as the Roosevelt Trail – stretching from Westbrook to Harrison with local historical societies, museums, and landmark sites along the trail. Visitors may choose to stop at any or all participating sites in any order.”

Participating sites include:

* Westbrook Maine Historical Society, 426 Bridge St., Westbrook

* Windham Historical Society, 234 Windham Center Road, Windham

* Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home, 40 Hawthorne Road, Raymond

* Quaker Ridge Meeting House, 141 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco

* Raymond Casco Historical Society, 1 Shadow Lane, Casco

* Naples Historical Society & Museum, 19 Village Green, Naples

* Rufus Porter Museum of Art & Ingenuity, 121 Main St., Bridgton

* Scribner’s Mill & Homestead, 244 Scribner’s Mill Road, Harrison

Bill Brennan is treasurer of Raymond Casco Historical Society. He said that the tour is the result of several months of collaboration.

“In March, Raymond Cascoo Historical Society met with Hawthorne House representatives to discuss our common interests. During that brain-storming session, it was decided we could bring other groups into discussing a date for a collective history tour. With Margaret Myatt of Hawthorne and myself, we identified groups that might join us,” said Brennan.

The concept of the tour is a collective effort by our eight groups to recognize our impact on preserving our rich history, he said.

“I’ll note that Bridgton Historical Society was involved initially, but with the closure of their museum building, they need time to reboot to their new space in the church building,” Brennan said.

He said that the goal of the new tour is to bring local communities together and increase appreciation of the past.

“We hope to achieve recognition of our collective histories. We hope visitors will come away with a greater appreciation of their town’s history as well as other surrounding towns,” he said.

Brennan realized that the project was gaining momentum as additional groups joined the cause.

“In the past two months the planning and implementation of this event has proven our groups have worked well with each other to a common goal,” he said. “Different people brought in their expertise to benefit the event. We had a working, but rough draft of the brochure. In one night on a Zoom call after 7 drafts of the brochure, we banged out a final, proving that collaboration works,” he said.

Roy Clark is President of Scribner’s Mill Preservation, Inc.

"We are pleased to be a part of this first history tour,” he said. “Scribner’s Mill in Harrison, is the only family-owned sash sawmill in the United States that remains on its original site, which includes the original buildings, equipment, and an undisturbed rural setting on the Crooked River.”

Tour volunteers will be available to answer questions at each site. Light refreshments will be provided at many of the locations. Groups are welcomed. Plenty of parking is available at each stop. Donations are appreciated.

A tour map and brochure can be downloaded at: https://tinyurl.com/yeppjd5s

For more details about the Roosevelt Trail Maine History Tour, call 917-841-7226. <

Raymond's Nathaniel Hawthorne House celebrates summer - By Walter Lunt

Art, strawberries and a committed group of local preservationists are among the entities that support one of the oldest and most historically significant houses in the lakes region. Built in 1812 and now listed on the Historic Register, Hawthorne House, located in Raymond at the corner of Cape and Hawthorne Roads, was the childhood home of famed 19th century writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. The two story Georgian/Federal hybrid style house is being preserved by the non-profit Hawthorne Community Association, a devoted group of neighborhood citizens and others “from away” totaling nearly 150 members.

Repairs and maintenance on a historic house can be costly, particularly when they are carried out in the “period correct” manner. And that is where the fundraising comes into the picture. John Manoush, an association trustee said at least three important events are scheduled for this summer. 

On Saturday, June 25 beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Association will hold their annual strawberry festival at Hawthorne House. This year’s speaker is historian Steven Rogers, who will present original research on the topic of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Shakers. The program will be followed by a social hour and homemade strawberry shortcake.

“It’s local strawberries, fresh whipped cream and homemade shortbread,” said trustee Melanie Champniss. Coffee and punch are included. Donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 8 years. All proceeds go to preserve and maintain Hawthorne House.

On July 15 and 16 (Friday and Saturday) the association will host a first ever art show and sale at the historic house from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Several local artists will present for view and for sale several forms of art. Jessica Bates will feature her line drawings, quash and poster-sized tapestry photographs. Libby Welch will show landscape and oil paintings. And Sharon Renk will present watercolor paintings of land and seascapes. Other artists are expected to participate. The event is free.

Trustee Champniss said “Hawthorne House is still vital,” and sponsors many events throughout the year including book club discussions. Patrons should also check local newspapers and the association website for the date and location of the annual chicken barbecue.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of several American classics including The Scarlet Letter  and House of Seven Gables spent summers at the Raymond house from age 9 until he entered Bowdoin College in 1821, about 8 years. He is known to have hunted the area and fished Sebago Lake and Thomas Pond. In later years he wrote in a letter to his sister, “I shall never again run wild in Raymond, and I shall never be so happy as when I did.”

Manoush said the Hawthorne family moved to Salem, Massachusetts following Nathaniel’s graduation from Bowdoin in 1825. The house became a tavern on the local stagecoach line.  At some point in the mid-19th century until 1921 it became a church meeting house. In that year the Hawthorne Community Association was formed for the purpose of preserving the historical significance of the property.

For more information on the house, its history and fund raising events go to www.hawthorneassoc.com.

In the Photos: 

 John Manoush, Melanie Champniss and Basil Champniss pose with "Nathaniel" at Raymond's Hawthorne House on Raymond Neck. Visitors can sometimes get their picture taken with the famous author, but apparently he is unavailable for book signings.