Readfied History Walk #32 11/13/2015 ~ Tours of the Community Library / Currier - Eaton House; Masonic Hall; and Readfield Grange

The final Readfield History Walk of this year will take place rain or shine at Readfield Corner. Walkers should meet at Gile Hall, 8 Old Kents Hill Road by 10am. From there we will walk to the Readfield Community Library to begin phase one of a three part tour.

Readfield Community Library is housed in the historic Dr. Samuel Currier homestead. Dr. Currier was the first doctor at Readfield Corner and his son George, who also lived at this homestead, followed in his father’s footsteps. Together Dr. Samuel and Dr. George Currier served as town physicians for 75 years. The circa 1800 building was donated to the Town of Readfield in 1945 by their grand-daughter Alice Eaton, for use as a community gathering place. For many years it was known as the Currier-Eaton House and also called “The Community House”.   Activities and meetings were held at The Community House such as Lions Club, Boy and Girl Scouts, Little Town Club, dancing classes, Rifle Club and more. Readfield Community Library has been housed here for the greater part of the past seventy years.

Following a tour of the library walkers will proceed to the second floor of the Masonic Block where John Lord will show the Lafayette Masonic Lodge. Free Masons is the oldest and largest fraternity in the world whose motto is "Better men make a better world." The Readfield Masons was founded in 1826 and met for several years on the second floor of Lory Bacon's store across the street. He was their first Readfield lodge master. They eventually constructed their own building on the present site which burned in the great fire of June 11, 1921 as did nearly all of Readfield Corner. By that fall the Masons laid the cornerstone in a special ground-breaking ceremony and the Masonic Block, as we know it today, was rebuilt within months of the tragic fire. The Masons have contributed to the community in many ways over the past two centuries.

Finally, history walkers will go to the old Readfield Grange Hall for a tour. Readfield Grange # 217 was organized March 24, 1876 with 38 charter members – only three years after the first chapters were organized in Maine. For 21 years their meetings were held in private homes until this hall was built in 1897. The organization was an integral part of life in Readfield. It was here where farmers and others gathered to socialize, learn new farming methods, and share political and local concerns. Among the benefits were cooperative buying of insurance, seeds and agricultural supplies. Readfield Grange remained active until about a decade ago, and was then owned by Golden Guys and Gals Senior Citizens for several years. In 2014 Nicole Danielson opened Maple Tree Community School for K-8 here. The building has been adapted to include a science lab, art room, library, dining room and a performing arts space, but the beautiful hardwood floors and other original features have been retained.

Walkers are invited to bring a sandwich and eat at the old grange hall following the tour. Plans are already in the making for history walks next spring. FMI www.readfieldhistorywalks.blogspot.com  Request that email reminders be sent directly to you by sending your name and email address to crossings4u@gmail.com.