Readfield History Classes Announced for the Fall of 2017

1. Industry in Early Readfield                   
   Is it hard to imagine the quiet rural community of Readfield as a busy industrial center?
   By Dale Potter-Clark
   DATE:  Wednesday, September 27^th 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Repeat by Request!!   Industry began in early Readfield at various locations throughout town. In particular, East Readfield and Factory Square became busy industrial hubs. In this presentation participants will learn about Readfield’s early settlement and travel; natural resources applicable to early industry; the evolution of industry in Readfield, locations of the mills and factories and about some of the manufacturers. Registration fees will help establish a “Museum in the Streets® in Readfield.
    
2. history of the Currier-Eaton Family and their home, that houses the current readfield community library building     
   When driving through Readfield Corner do you ever wonder about the history of the grand old Colonial that houses the Readfield Community Library?
   By Dale Potter-Clark   
   DATE:  Wednesday, October 18^th 6:30-8:30 p.m.       New!!      Less than ten years after Readfield’s incorporation a young doctor and his new wife, Dr. Samuel and Patience (Stanley) Currier, bought a grand home in the town’s evolving commercial center. There, they raised their family of ten children, hosted large community gatherings and he treated patients. They became stellar residents and carried on their roles for decades. Their son George later became the town physician and lived in his parents’ grand old Colonial until his death in 1863. The house remained in the Currier family for nearly 150 years, until Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Currier’s great-granddaughter, Alice Eaton, donated their ancestral home to the town of Readfield. Since then residents have cared for it, supported it and loved it as their community center and library. In this presentation you will learn more about the Currier-Eaton family and their home, from then until now.  Registration fees will help establish a “Museum in the Streets® in Readfield.
    
3. KENTS HILL: FROM FARMLAND TO VILLAGE                       
   When and how did Kents Hill village change from remote backcountry farmland to a cultural and educational center?
   By Dale Potter-Clark
   DATE:  Wednesday, November 15^th 6:30-8:30 p.m.   New!!       Before 1775 there were very few people living on Kent’s Hill – the Packards and Kents were two of the first to stake their claims and buildings began to appear. The Packard men were house wrights so they built many of them. After the Revolutionary War others came – the most influential, who had a long lasting effect, was Luther Sampson. From 1790 until 1824 a meeting house and parsonage, grammar school, store, cemetery and Methodist Seminary were established and the hilltop called Kent’s Hill evolved from a handful of family farms to a thriving cultural and educational center. In this class you will learn about that evolution, hear more about the buildings and houses, and some of the people who lived in Kents Hill village. Registration fees will help establish a “Museum in the Streets® in Readfield. 

All three presentations will be held at Maranacook Adult and Community Education, Maranacook High School, Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield. The registration fee is all three for $30 or $12.50 each. Registration proceeds will help fund a Museum in the Streets”® in Readfield (historical site markers).  To register contact Maranacook Adult and Community Education Phone: 207-685-4923 x 1065 or Register online using a debit or credit card. For details and to view all classes go to http://maranacook.maineadulted.org.

Readfield History Walk #41 ~ June 16, 2017

#41 Readfield History Walk

Friday, June 16, 2017  10am - 12noon

“The Underground Railroad: Rev. David Thurston and the Metcalf Neighborhood”

Rev. David Thurston served the Winthrop Congregational Church 1807-1851. His anti-slavery views and efforts began in the 1820s and the Underground Railroad route was established through Winthrop due to his advocacy. In 1833 he was a delegate at the founding convention of the American Anti-Slavery Society in Philadelphia and helped draft their “Declaration of Sentiments”. In 1837 he took a year’s leave from the church in order to serve as agent of the Society. He was in demand as a speaker on their “circuit” and over time became more and more assertive that his congregation should hold his views on slavery but some of his Whig Party parishioners did not agree and because of that he was finally asked to resign after 44 years of serving their church. After that he wrote the first History of Winthrop in 1855, various papers on religion, temperance and anti-slavery; and preached in Vassalboro, Sidney, Searsport and finally in Litchfield where he died in 1865. He is buried in Metcalf Cemetery, Bearce Road, Winthrop.

This History Walk will include some driving as well as easy walking. Meet by 10am in the parking lot behind the Winthrop Congregational Church, 10 Bowdoin St. Winthrop. Our thanks to the Winthrop Historical Society and Winthrop Congregational Church for partnering with us on this History Walk.