"SUMMER RESORTS AND KIDS' CAMPS" ~ Book Talks and Signings slated for this fall

Authors Dale Potter-Clark and Charles L. Day are pleased to announce that after three years of exhaustive research, personal interviews with people all over the US, site visits, writing, editing and re-writing "The Founders and Evolution of SUMMER RESORTS AND KIDS' CAMPS on Four Lakes in Central Maine" has been released! This book is 350+ pages and includes 200+ vintage photos. Resorts and kids' camps were located at 39 locations on Lakes Torsey, Echo, Lovejoy, northern Maranacook and "Lake Myra" - several went by different names over the years. Few are still in operation and this book will tell you which ones are. Also included is the coming of the railroad, steamboats, the trolley and sketches about some of the people involved.
The schedule for book talks and signings is below. To buy a copy visit www.readfieldmaine.blogspot.com


Book talks and signings for
Summer Resorts and Kid’s Camps on Four Lakes in Central Maine: 
Sat. August 27^st 9am-2pm                  

Vienna Historical Society, U.S. Route 41, Vienna village; book sale & signing

Sat. September 3^rd 10am-2pm                        

Maranacook Boat Landing, Winthrop Road, Readfield; book sale & signing

Sat. September 24^th 6-8pm                 

Vassalboro Public Library; place TBA; reading, sale and signing

Wed. October 5^th 6-8pm                    

Readfield Community Library, Main St., Readfield; reading, sale and signing

Mon. October 17^th 12-1:30pm           

Cary Memorial Library, 67 Old Winthrop Road, Wayne; reading, sale and signing
Wed. October 19th 7-9pm

Underwood Library, Route 17, Fayette; reading, sale and signing

Tues. November 15^th 6:30-8pm (NOTE: date changed from 11/8)                       

Bailey Public Library, 39 Bowdoin St., Winthrop; presentation, sale & signing

Sat. November 19^th 9am-2pm            

Fayette Historical Society holiday fair; Fayette Central School; sale & signing
Sat. November 26th
Arts & Crafts Holiday Fair, Mt. Vernon Community Center in Mt. Vernon village; sale & signing
Fri. December 1st 10am-1pm
MaineGeneral Medical Center Auxiliary Gift Shop, Augusta; sale and signing
Wed. May 31st 6:30-8pm
Maranacook Community School; Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield
More will be scheduled for 2017 - stay tuned!

READFIELD HISTORY WALK #38 ~ A Special Veterans' Day event ~ Nov. 11, 2016

Veterans, family, friends, one and all are welcome and encouraged to attend a special Readfield History Walk on November 11^th. Participants should gather at Readfield Corner Cemetery on Church Road by 10am where walkers will be guided through part of the cemetery to learn about some of the Veterans buried there. Following this, walkers will follow Church Road and Main Street to Gile Hall, 8 Old Kents Hill Road, to join in a tribute to Veterans starting at 11:00 a.m. After the tribute a soup and bread luncheon will be provided by Torsey Church (RUMC), starting at 11:15, upstairs at Gile Hall.

Parking is available at the Old Fairgrounds parking lot on Church Road. Those who do not wish to walk to Gile Hall are welcome to drive there. Drivers will be available to chauffeur walkers back to the Old Fairground’s parking lot from Gile Hall if desired. Veterans and all others are encouraged to attend all or any part of this event.
This Veterans’ Day event is a collaborative effort by members of the Readfield History Walkers, Town of Readfield Select Board, Readfield Heritage Days Committee, Readfield Cemetery Committee and Torsey Memorial Church (RUMC). The objectives of Readfield History Walks are for participants to learn more about the surrounding area - both current and historical - while enjoying the beauty and invigoration of the outdoors. According to where the Walks are held, various organizations, town committees, schools, churches, businesses and homeowners are included in the planning and in leading the tours. In most cases background information and research is provided through written material. FMI email crossings4u@gmail.com.

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. 

READFIELD HISTORY WALK #36 ~ FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 10AM ~ READFIELD WATER ASSOCIATION AND MORE!!

For those who wish to read an article about History Walk #36, Sept. 23, follow this link to the Readfield Messenger (town newsletter) and see pages 17-18


The first Readfield History Walk of this fall will be held Friday, September 23^rd when three aspects of town history, near Readfield Corner, will be included.

Walkers will first learn about the history and visit the original water source for several older homes at Readfield Corner - “the spring in John O. Craig’s pasture”. Craig’s spring fed at least eight homes on the west side of Church Road and on Main Street in the town’s early history. Remnants of the spring are still evident on private land, which participants will have the opportunity to view.

From there Walkers will venture to the Readfield Corner Water Association on Bill Bourret Drive to hear from Ed Dodge, current president of the association and Bill Bourret of Augusta, one of the founders and the association’s first president. The seed for the association was a 1986 petition to the State of Maine by several Readfield Corner residents after their wells were rendered unusable by gasoline contamination. Networking with neighbors had led them to knowing the source - an old underground fuel tank in the center of town that was seeping gasoline. Through research the petitioners learned they could draw upon legislation designed to combat ocean spills as a vehicle to present their case, which they did to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Bourret, who was the first one living at Readfield Corner to discover the problem in his own home, and a neighbor, Marie Brown, testified before the Maine State Legislature Finance Committee and also encouraged members of the Committee to visit the site and see the damage first hand, which they did. The end result was funding for the acquisition of land for a town well, site preparation, well drilling and casing, pressurized holding tanks and pumps, water lines, meters and the building to house the equipment. It was all paid for by the State of Maine from the “Coastal Oil Surveyance Super Fund”.  Dodge and Bourret will be on hand to share more, about when damage from the gas leak was first discovered and the remarkable process that ensued to correct the problem. This is a rare chance to hear this particular piece of Readfield history firsthand!

From the Water Association walkers will cross Church Road onto the site of the old Kennebec County Agricultural Fair to see recent improvements and additions made there by the Readfield Trails and Conservation Committees; and to hear about the days when the largest fair in Maine was held right here in Readfield! Participants should park in the parking lot at the Readfield Fairgrounds on Church Road by 10am. Bring a sandwich if you wish to share lunch at the home of Bill and Flo Drake immediately after the walk.

Readfield History Walks were started in October 2012 as a cooperative effort by members of the Readfield Historical Society and the Readfield Trails Committee. The objectives of the walks are for participants to learn more about the surrounding area - both current and historical - while enjoying the beauty and invigoration of the outdoors. According to where they are held various organizations, town committees, schools, churches, businesses and homeowners are included in the planning and in leading the tours. In most cases background information and research is provided through written material. FMI  email Dale Potter-Clark at crossings4u@gmail.com. Historical photos as well as some from the walk itself will be posted - see the right hand column, look for History Walk #36.

Saturday, September 3rd at Maranacook Boat Landing, Readfield

"The Founders and Evolution of SUMMER RESORTS AND KIDS CAMPS on Four Lakes in Central Maine" by Dale Potter-Clark and Charles L. Day, Jr.

Book Sale and Signing this Saturday, Sept. 3rd, at Maranacook Boat Landing, Readfield (1/2 mile south of Readfield Corner on route 41) 10am-2pm. The site for this appearance was chosen because of its proximity to Harvey Island Camp and also to Bill Morgan's Camp Maranacook for boys. Also nearby was the Harvey homestead on "Thunder Mountain", which has an infamous history on several levels. This is also near the location where the fable about the Indian Chief's son Haukeemah and the settler's daughter "Mary-no-cook" originated. Dale will point out and share stories about those locations to people who have interest. All of these stories and more are included in our book "Summer Resorts and Kids' Camps"!!

So, throw on your kyacks or canoes or tow your motor boats to the Maranacook Boat Landing, spend a little time with us learning about the history of the resorts and kids' camps on northern Maranacook, buy your copy of the book - chock full of pictures - and set out on your own history trek on the waters of northern Maranacook Lake!! It will be a great day of learning and fun in the sun!!
If you are unable to make this signing, follow this link to see what future opportunities are available!!

Readfield History Walks for FALL 2016 Will Begin Soon...

Plans are underway for three History Walks this fall

Friday, September 23rd 10am-12noon
Readfield History Walk #36
 with

Readfield Historical Society, Readfield Trails Committee

and Readfield Corner Water Association

Learn about the history and visit Readfield Corner’s original drinking water source - “the spring in John O. Craig’s pasture”; from there walkers will venture to the Readfield Corner Water Association on Bill Bourret Drive and hear the history of that from Ed Dodge, president of the association and Bill Bourret, one of the founders. The Water Association is perhaps one of Readfield's "best kept secrets". From there we will cross Church Road onto the site of the old Kennebec County Agricultural Fair to see recent improvements and additions made by the Readfield Trails and Conservation Committees; and to hear about the days when the largest fair in Maine was held right there in Readfield! Park at Readfield Fairgrounds on Church Road by 10am. Bring a sandwich if you wish to share lunch at the home of Bill and Flo Drake immediately after the walk.
Saturday, October 15 (rain date Oct.22nd) 10am-12noon

Readfield History Walk #37  
 with

Readfield Cemetery Committee, Readfield Historical Society,

Readfield Trails Committee and Union Meeting House  
A visit to the Readfield Union Meeting House and with some “Esteemed Residents” at Readfield Corner Cemetery  More details will be coming soon!

Friday, November 11th
Readfield History Walk #38
A special Veterans' Day event is in the making. Stay tuned!

Readfield Historical Society opening for season Memorial Weekend!!

Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 and 29, from 10AM to 2PM
Evelyn Adell Potter and Beverly Norton Newton will greet those who come by on the annual opening weekend. All are welcome to drop by on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 and 29, from 10AM to 2PM at the Readfield Historical Society building on Rte. 17 in the Depot.

The ever-popular Mystery Box drawing will take place on Sunday, for a box filled with an eclectic assortment of wonderful things. Sign up to participate when you visit on Sat. or Sun. You do not have to be present for the drawing.

As a special treat, there Ellen Bowman's musical group “Thundercastle Trio”  will be performing on Saturday about noon. This trio plays and sings old songs -- Stephen Foster, hymns and the like. They have been well-received at the Readfield Emporium and other venues.

Gourmet Dinner to Benefit the Readfield Mill Stream Dam Restoration Project ~ May 22, 2016



Please contact Ann Keilty at tykel@myfairpoint.net (685-4303) or Jeanne Harris at jcharris51@yahoo.com (377-2299) to reserve a spot for this benefit..

Readfield History Walk #35 ~ Kents Hill village (part 2) ~ May 13, 2016

This will be a continuation of Kents Hill village part 1 (#34 done on 4/29/16). From the Torsey Church parking lot walkers will proceed west on Main Street to learn about the houses along the way and some of the early families who lived there, including an early Baptist missionary and a world famous artist. In addition to many historic homes in Kents Hill village there were at one time establishments such as Eaton School, Morse Music Conservatory and, of course, Russell’s Orchard. Artisans, a furniture maker, a silver smith, mercantiles and Moody’s Tavern all graced this part of Kents Hill village in days of yore.  We will also explore the Kents Hill Cemetery as time and interest allows. Bring a sandwich if you wish to share lunch with some of the Walkers after the walk is completed.
Meet by 10am at the Torsey Church parking lot on Kents Hill, Main Street. There is no charge for Readfield History Walks but donations are welcome to Readfield Historical Society, to help procure and install historical site markers in Readfield, a "Museum in the Streets". FMI contact Dale Potter Clark at crossings4u@gmail.com.

History Walk of Readfield Town Forest / Poor Farm & Macdonald Woods ~ Sat. May 7th, 1 p.m.

Next Saturday, May 7th, there will be a guided tour of the Readfield Town Forest (former Readfield Poor Farm) and the Macdonald Woods. This walk will be co-led by Milt Wright, former Readfield Trails Committee Chairperson, and Tim Sniffin, Readfield Conservation Committee member. The event is sponsored by the Kennebec Land Trust, which owns and manages Macdonald Woods.
Meet by 1p.m. at the designated parking area on Kents Hill Road in North Wayne (directions below). Walkers will proceed through woodland paths and discontinued roads, about 3 miles in length. Wear sturdy shoes and bring drinking water. A walking stick and insect repellent (ticks) is recommended. There are no longer any buildings on these properties but foundations of two old homesteads remain and will be viewed as well as the site of Readfield's District #6 school house. Remnants of an old, earthen dam and lumber cutting operation also remain on these properties. The ancient Huntoon Cemetery is on the route, where some town pauper graves are said to be buried, their graves marked with fieldstones. There were many more Readfield and North Wayne residents buried in this cemetery than is evident today, but most of the ancient slate gravestones have disappeared over time.
Readfield History Walks have covered this area twice in the past, #1 and #8 , so if you missed those here is your chance to take in a guided tour!
There is no charge for this walk.


DIRECTIONS below or follow this link http://www.tklt.org/macdonald:
From Kents Hill, route 17 to P Ridge Road; right onto Lane Road; at T intersection left onto North Wayne Road; at T intersection left onto Kents Hill Road. After about 1/2 mile you come to a large white Colonial home on the right, and the end of that part of this road that is accessible by auto. Park across the street from said house.
From North Wayne: From the dam on the south end of Lovejoy Pond in North Wayne village drive straight / east up the hill and keep going until you come to said house.


Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) works cooperatively with landowners and communities to conserve the forests, shore lands, fields, and wildlife that define central Maine. For more info about KLT and their various land holdings visit http://www.tklt.org/ 

Readfield History Walk #34 ~ Kents Hill Village (part 1 of 2) ~ April 29, 2016

Meet at the parking lot across from Torsey Methodist Church by 10am. We will walk to "Packard's Corner" and learn about the houses, buildings and some of the families who lived in them (between the church and Packard's Corner). Then, proceed up Packard Ridge Road (P Ridge) to learn about the Lane family and the site of the old Hackett farm and where Mattie Hackett was murdered in 1905.
We will also walk off the P Ridge road onto a short woods trail that leads us towards the Kents Hill School campus. On that trail walkers will be shown a patch of wildflowers in the orchid family that was placed on the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants in 1982. After the walk we will return to the church where Nancy Russell will have some soup prepared for all to enjoy. Bring a sandwich and anything else you wish to eat in addition or instead of the soup.


Part 2 of Kents Hill village will take place at Readfield History Walk #35 on May 13th so mark that date on your calendars and details of that walk will be announced soon!
No charge for Readfield History Walks but donations are welcome to Readfield Historical Society, to help procure and install historical site markers in Readfield, a "Museum in the Streets".

"Rise and Decline of Readfield Depot" ~ April 27, 2016 ~ Maranacook Adult & Community Ed

"The Rise and Decline of Readfield Depot" was changed from March 30th to April 27th. Time 6:30-8:30pm. At Maranacook Adult and Community Education, Maranacook High School, Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield. $20 per person or $15 if you bring a "buddy". Books with pictures and information about the coming of the railroad, many of the houses, businesses and people who have lived at "the Depot" over the decades will be available for $5 each on the night of the class. Proceeds from this class will help fund the creation and placement of historical site markers in Readfield.
To register for MACE classes call 207-685-4923 x 1065 or visit http://maranacook.maineadulted.org.
Read on to learn about spring 2016 Readfield History Walks.

• Friday, April 29, 10:00am-12:00noon History Walk at Kents Hill Village (Part I)
• Friday, May 13, 10:00am-12:00noon History Walk at Kents Hill Village (Part II)

Questions can be emailed to Dale at crossings4u@gmail.com.

Readfield History Walk #33 ~ Readfield Depot ~ April 15th

Well here it is – SPRING, and time to begin Readfield History Walks again. Imagine – this will be #33. Who would have guessed they would have caught on so well when we started these 3 ½ years ago!

On April 15^th we will be walking Readfield Depot and learning about the activity, businesses and railroad station that was once there. Walkers will also learn of the old homes and some of the families that lived in them. Meet at Readfield Historical Society (RHS) on Main Street no later than 10am on April 15^th. If you park across the street PLEASE do not block access to the business (in the old grain mill) next door and / or their ability to get to the vehicles parked behind their business / building.

Come inside the RHS where we will get started. We hope you will be understanding that the RHS is not officially open for the season yet so spring cleaning is not done. Nor is the water turned on nor is the bathroom "open for business". You will be welcome to look around nevertheless. There is no fee for Readfield History Walks but donations for the creation of Historical site markers, a "Museum in the Streets", in Readfield are gratefully received! FMI contact crossings4u@gmail.com.