Summertime Historical Events and Exhibits in Readfield Area

While the Readfield History Walkers are taking a break this summer, others are busy making plans and pulling together activities and exhibits for your pleasure. Some that may be of interest to our Readfield History Walkers:

• Working Women in Mt. Vernon and Vienna 1900's - 1950 Exhibit Every Saturday until October. Follow the link to learn more about time and place. Admittance is free
• Historically significant Hooked Rug Show of more than 50 19th century and contemporary hooked rugs at Readfield Union Meeting House Saturday August 10th 10am-3:00pm Admittance is free, donations suggested. Follow the link to learn more
• Annual Wine and Cheese at Readfield Historical Society Friday August 10th 5:00-7:00pm at Readfield Historical Society. Refreshments and an opportunity to view the displays and learn what is new at RHS. Follow the link to learn more. RHS is also open every Saturday throughout the summer. The same link above will also give those hours.

And remember - Readfield Heritage Days is August 9-11th this year. To view the events that are planned visit the Readfield town web site where their August Readfield Messenger newsletter will be posted soon. In the meantime mark your calendars and hope some of you / us will cross paths.

SUMMER 2013

Readfield History Walkers enjoyed a tour of Maranacook Lodge both inside and out in June 2013. Pictured here are Linda Butman-Kinney, a former resident of Readfield, Scott Davis, our host and current owner of Maranacook Lodge and Evelyn Adell Potter, Readfield Historian. Part of Maranacook Lodge, which is being beautifully restored by Scott and his wife Holly, can be seen in this picture as can a section of Maranacook Lake. Many stories and photographs were shared on this day and the walkers enjoyed eating lunch on the beautiful piazza.

This property is located in both Readfield and Winthrop.

There are no excursions scheduled for July and August but one can be arranged if there is enough interest. To learn more about previous gatherings read on. Outings are also posted on the Readfield Historical Society facebook page when they have been confirmed. To express interest in potential history walks this summer or FMI email crossings4u@gmail.com. 

Readfield "Little Schools Reunion" ~ Friday June 21, 2013

Ralph Black was our class marshal. Using maiden names - 
directly behind Ralph is Jane Bailey. To her left is Donna
McCormick. Behind them are Evelyn Adell (in the black
shirt) and Barbara Clark to her right.

On this beautiful first day of summer dozens of Readfield "little school’s alumni" came together for their first ever reunion. Many were seeing each other for the first time since before 1955 when they attended one or more of the four little schools that used to exist in town. That was the year when Readfield Elementary School opened its doors and grades K-8 were finally united under one roof. Starting at 10am reunion attendees met at Gile Hall (the old Readfield Corner School) for some time to get reacquainted. Some alumni and guests also visited Readfield Historical Society, which is housed in the old Readfield Depot School. At noontime it was off to the old Readfield Grange Hall where the "Golden Guys and Gals" organization had prepared a delicious dinner. There they also viewed school pictures and memorabilia that were on display. To cap off the day the alumni entered into a reenactment of an 8th grade graduation like the ones that were prior to 1955. Alumni entered the Readfield Union Meeting House in a processional, told stories about their school days and were presented with diplomas by reunion organizers Evelyn Adell Potter and Liz Piper King. Available is a 14 page "photograph album" of pictures taken on the day of the reunion. To receive yours by email contact Dale Potter Clark at crossings4u@gmail.com.  



 

About 30 of the 45 alumni who attended the reunion stayed for the graduation re-enactment. Pictured here are left to right (maiden names on females): Dale Potter, Janie Bailey, Jackie Cadaret, Carolyn Gay, Ruth Pinkham, Evelyn Adell, Caroline Fogg, Connie Elvin, Maynard Gorden, George Allen, Donna McCormick, Melanie Lanctot, Charlie Elvin, Peggy Pinkham, Diana Fickett, Stephen Cowperthwaite, Liz Piper, Barbara Clark, Judy Fickett, Nancy Russell, Phyllis Nason, Caroline Dunn, Nancy Harriman, Ralph Black, Gloria Bryant and Brenda Boutlier.

Evelyn Adell Potter and Liz Piper King

Thanks to Evelyn and Liz for their idea, follow-through and hard work to make this  event so successful! A grand day to say the least and one that we will never forget!

To read the Kennebec Journal newspaper article written by Susan McMillan click here.











History Walk #11 ~ Hotel Maranacook and surrounding area ~ June 14th



Hotel Maranacook was one of several summer resorts and hotels that existed on Maranacook Lake from the late 1800's into the mid-20th century. None of them exist as such today. Most of the buildings that have survived are now privately owned camps or have been converted into year round homes. Land, for the most part, has been subdivided. There are no longer any summer resorts or hotels in Readfield. The Maranacook train station, post office and trolley were built to accommodate the large influx of summer tourists and residents so they are long gone, as is Readfield Depot.  

Hotel Maranacook

History Walkers enjoyed a tour of the area on Maranacook's west shore where Hotel Maranacook and Belvedere Cabins once boomed with summer guests and activities. Across the way and within sight was Tallwood Inn, which was equally as gregarious. We were graciously invited for a complete tour of Maranacook Lodge inside and out by the current owners, Scott and Holly Davis as well as their neighbor Linda Butman Kinney who also owns what used to be a part of Maranacook Lodge. 

Maranacook Train Station and Post Office

The tour far exceeded our expectations! 

If you are interested in having a copy of the old pictures that were prepared for this walk - email crossings4u@gmail.com The 16 pages of pictures and newspaper stories also include some of other resorts and cabins on Maranacook Lake during the same era.

HISTORY WALK #10 ~ Friday, June 7th Case Cemetery ~ North Manchester Meeting House ~ Shedd Pond

The North Manchester Meetinghouse was built in East

Readfield by Rev. Isaac Case in 1793 and moved
to Scribner Hill Rd. in North Manchester in 1839.

We began our walk at Case Cemetery, Route 17, East Readfield where Rev. Isaac Case built the East Readfield Baptist Church in 1793. The church was moved to North Manchester in 1839. When Rev. Case died in 1852 he was buried on the spot where his pulpit once was. His wife Joanna and son Elisha are on the same plot. In 1905 the Baptist Conference of Maine had a tablet memorial erected on that same spot, and it is still there. We also explored and found the entrance to Case Road which was long ago discontinued. It left route 17 a little east of the

Most of the Colonial features inside of
North Manchester Meeting House are intact.
The numbered pews have "gates" on every one.

churchyard. Rev. Case built his log cabin

We had a small group this time but a great walk!
Below is Rev. Isaac Case memorial at Case Cemetery.

on Case Road in 1795 and though it was located near the East Winthrop line he built it so he could see his church from his home. We were able to find the road because history tells us there were stone walls running parallel on either side of the road so we looked for those. From there we went to the North Manchester Meeting House for a tour. The church is still active though non-denominational now rather than Baptist. Then on to hike into nearby Shedd Pond. History Walkers received a 12 page document (with pictures) about Rev. Case in addition to information about the early settlers who lived in North Manchester (part of Readfield until 1850).

If you wish to be placed on the History Walks email  list to receive all of our updates please send your request to crossings4u@gmail.com.  

Shedd Pond. Picture from Kennebec Land Trust web site.

Relief Savage Gordon Can Visit Your Time...

Relief Savage Gordon enjoyed that fresh air on May 21st when she visited Maranacook Community School, so she visited Readfield Historical Society on June 2nd. Many folks stopped by to meet and visit with the old dame. She sure did love seeing them all! Someone even came from the Kennebec Journal and wrote a story about her.

Relief will be visiting Maranacook Adult Ed October 23rd 6:30-8:pm. Registration is required so watch for your fall catalogue or check the Adult Ed Website FMI. 

Relief was born at old Fort Western in 1769 and died in Readfield at the ripe age of 92. Over the past few years she has “come alive” as a well known character in our parts. She has led historical bus tours in Readfield and likes to tell tales about her town, family and their way of life. Watch her come alive before your very eyes when Dale Potter Clark, historical interpreter and Relief’s 4th g-granddaughter, transforms herself into “Relief’s time.”

Relief says she knows someone who can get in touch with her if you'd like to arrange for a visit. She sure would appreciate a little donation to help feed her horse to get there and back home again! If she has to come too far she might even need a little "extree" for her "dinnah" and to stay at the local Inn!

Relief Savage Gordon came to visit Maranacook Community School Teen Issues Day

Relief Savage Gordon came out for a visit! She was stuck in that closet for way to long and was just itchin' to get out again so... she did two sessions at Maranacook Teen Issues Day on May 21st.

living History with Relief Savage Gordon (aka Dale Potter-Clark)


Relief Savage Gordon on a Readfield Historical Bus Tour.
Also pictured are the late Tom Adell and Rex Luce. Relief was
asking Tom if he had "a Luce (loose) connection." He allowed
he did with his usual sense of humor and jovial laugh! 

Relief was born at old Fort Western in 1769 and died in Readfield at the ripe age of 92. Over the past few years she has “come alive” as a well known character in our parts. She has led historical bus tours in Readfield and likes to tell tales about her town, family and their way of life. Hear about the process of Relief’s “revival” and watch her come alive before your very eyes when Dale Potter Clark, historical interpreter and Relief’s 4th g-granddaughter, transforms herself into “Relief’s time.” Dale Potter-Clark’s interest in local history dates back to her childhood, when her parents introduced her to their ancestors in Readfield, Mt. Vernon and Manchester. She worked as a historical interpreter at Norlands Living History Center for several years and subsequently developed the character of her own 4^th g-grandmother, Relief Savage Gordon.  With Dale’s help, Relief has led local historical bus tours and has enjoyed outwitting visitors at Readfield Historical Society and about town.  Currently Dale organizes Readfield History Walks; serves on the Readfield Union Meeting House advisory board; and is an active member of Readfield Historical Society. Every once in a while Relief resurfaces – today will be one of those days!