Saturday, April 18, 2015

READFIELD HISTORY WALK #25 ~ MAY 1, 2015 ~ KENTS HILL VILLAGE AND PACKARD'S CORNER


Kents Hill Village and “Packard’s Corner”, May 1, 2015, 10a.m. - 1:00p.m. (note to 1p.m. this time)

Kents Hill village began well before 1800 with the building of homes, a meeting house, store, blacksmith shop, school and a parsonage at “Packard’s Corner”. After Maine Wesleyan Seminary opened its doors, in 1821, most of the activity and settlement shifted towards the Seminary. In 1835 a new meeting house was built at its present location (Torsey Memorial Church), but the current parsonage did not become such until 1882. By then Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College had the commanding presence in Kents Hill village and the early settlement at “Packard’s Corner” became all but lost and forgotten. Join us to learn more – and of some interesting information that has recently been unearthed through Dale’s research. A tour of Torsey Memorial Church and Kents Hill School campus is also part of this history walk. Nancy Russell, direct descendant of Luther Sampson (founder of KHS) will accompany us on the walk and help at various locations as tour guide. Kents Hill School is graciously making special accommodations for us. Our first history walk of 2015 promises to be a very special one indeed!
THE PLAN: Meet at Torsey Church at 10:00am – come on inside where we will do our introductions and to see the inside of the church. Then we will walk to the east end of the village (as far as Torsey View House); then return westerly to Kents Hill School campus to meet a KHS representative in front of Jollity Manse (old infirmary, which is now admin building), and from there a tour of KHS campus then lunch at Masterman Union. Bring a sandwich and / or Kents Hill School is offering us salad, soup, desserts and drinks in their dining hall, for those who wish. Folks will return to their cars (in Torsey Church parking lot) at their own leisure with a list of early Kents Hill village and School people in hand, who are buried there, and can explore the cemetery on their own as wish that day or at a later time.
Will be a GREAT day!! Plan on end time of 1:00pm that day if you wish to do it all. Remember, we have a rain date "policy" and if bad weather I will post that on Facebook, send an email to the History Walkers email list, and post it on this web site early the morning of the scheduled walk. BUT it is NOT going to rain (or snow ;-) )

Thursday, April 2, 2015

SAVE THESE DATES FOR SPRING 2015

Click on the links below to read more about any of the eight historical presentations and events listed below!
1) Monday, April 13th 10:00-11:30am
by Dale Potter-Clark, A Senior Café presentation
The Beans of Readfield, Maine
2) Wednesday, April 15th 6:30-8:30pm
Living, Working and Socializing in 19th Century Readfield
by Dale Potter-Clark, a Maranacook Community and Adult Ed presentation
3) Friday, May 1st  10:00am-12:00noon Readfield History Walk #25
Kents Hill Village and Packard's Corner
4) Friday, May 15th  10:00am-12:00noon Readfield History Walk #26
Factory Square and Beans' Mills Revisited 
5) Wednesday, May 20th 6:30-8:30pm
Early Religion and Preachers in Readfield
by Dale Potter-Clark and Libby Doak, a Maranacook Community and Adult Ed presentation
6) Sat. & Sun., May 23 & 24th 10:00am-2:00pm Readfield Historical Society 
Calendars commemorating Readfield's 225th anniversary and Farm Heritage
Researched and created by charter members Evelyn Adell Potter and Dale Potter-Clark, to benefit RHS, more than two dozen farms are featured and many pictures from families' private collections. Both Evelyn and Dale will be on hand to meet and greet visitors, to accept questions and to sell these calendars . Be sure to follow the link above to learn more about the calendars. Cost is $10.00 each until gone. They can be ordered ahead and mailed for additional S&H cost. FMI or to request one by mail please email Evelyn.
7) Friday, June 12th10:00am-12:00noon Readfield History Walk
Kamp Peacock, later known as Dixon's Camps on Lake Maranacook
8) Wednesday, June 17th 6:30-8:30pm 
The Evolution of Summer Resorts and Kids' Camps in Readfield
by Dale Potter-Clark and Charlie Day, a Maranacook Community and Adult Ed presentation

The Beans of Readfield, Maine ~ A presentation at Senior Cafe, Marancook School

The Beans of Readfield, Maine 
Monday, April 13, 2015, 9:30-11:00am 

The Beans were significant landowners, manufacturers and farmers in Readfield from  1780 until well into the 19th century. Their mills and farms were concentrated on and around Thundercastle Road, but some lived at Readfield Corner, on Kents Hill and near Readfield Depot too. At one time Torsey Pond was called Joel Bean’s Pond and nearby was another small mill pond called Bean’s mill pond. They built many beautiful stonewalls, dams and foundations that have endured for two centuries. In spite of their significant presence and contributions the Bean name is nearly obscure in Readfield today. Come to “The Beans of Readfield, Maine”and learn how the Beans helped form, develop and populate our town.
Instructor: Dale Potter Clark

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Living, Working and Socializing in 19th Century Readfield ~ April 15, 2015


Presenter: Dale Potter-Clark
Time: April 15, 2015; 6:30-8:30pm
19th century Readfield had four distinct centers that included industries, churches, schools, hotels and farms; after 1850 lakeside resorts and camps began to emerge. Readfield is known as the home of four Maine governors but there is much more to tell. Dale Potter-Clark, Consultant for Readfield Historical Society, will present a two hour slide show and stories that give insights into the lives of Readfield people 1850 -1900. FMI about other upcoming historical presentations and events visit www.readfieldhistorywalks.blogspot.com


This presentation will be held at Maranacook Community School on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 6:30-8:30pm. Registration fee is $15 will help fund historical site markers in Readfield.  To register contact Maranacook Adult and Community Education (MACE) Phone: 207-685-4923 x 1065 or Register online using a debit or credit card. For details and to view all MACE classes go to http://maranacook.maineadulted.org.