Readfield History Walk #37 ~ A visit to the Readfield Union Meeting House and with some “Esteemed Residents” at Readfield Corner Cemetery

Saturday, October 15, 2016 (rain date Oct.22nd)
9:30-10:00am
Morning refreshments at Union Meeting House (UMH), 22 Church Road
Thank you to Lakeside Orchards of Manchester for providing refreshments
10am-12noon  Will occur in three phases


Phase I: Begins at UMH where board of directors' president Marius Peladeau will give a tour and discuss the history of UMH, the historical features that led to the building's addition to the National Register of Historic Places; the board of directors ongoing efforts to repair and preserve the integrity of the building; opportunities available to the public for use of the building; current and future needs of the organization.
Next: Participants will walk or drive to the Readfield Corner Cemetery
Phase II: Readfield Historian Dale Potter-Clark will "introduce" walkers to some of the UMH members and founders with a focus on those whose names appear on the stained glass windows at UMH. Printed material will be shared with participants, which indicates who of the founders are also buried in Readfield Corner Cemetery. Questions will be encouraged.
Phase III: Anna Carll, Readfield Cemetery Sexton, will give a demonstration on how to easily clean gravestones using D2. This is a technique that is non-abrasive and inexpensive (compared to previously used power washing methods). It is used at Arlington National Cemetery and the White House as well as other notable cemeteries and valuable historic sites. The technique is endorsed by Maine Old Cemetery Association (MOCA) which has, this year, been offering workshops on how to clean stones with D2 at various locations throughout the State. Anna Carll attended one such session.
If you are unable to attend on Oct. 15th and wish to know more about this technique see photos and captions from History Walk #24. The Readfield Cemetery Committee was first introduced and learned how to use D2 at History Walk #24 two years ago and since then have been gradually cleaning gravestones in town. At History Walk #24 Libby Doak and Sharon Burns of Chelsea demonstrated how to clean stones using D2. Doak and Burns have done the cemeteries, as an all volunteer effort, in Chelsea and freely share what they have learned and experienced there with volunteers and sextons in other communities.

  This History Walk is a cooperative effort between the 

Readfield Cemetery Committee, Readfield Historical Society,

Readfield Trails Committee and Union Meeting House  

NOTE: There will also be a stone cleaning demo at Bean Cemetery, Bean Road, Mt. Vernon 2-4pm on Oct. 15 (rain date Oct 22) done by Bob Grenier, Mt. Vernon Cemetery Sexton. All are welcome to attend Grenier's session as well.