Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2021 ~ history Walk #60

 

History Walk #59 to include unveiling of SIX historic signs

On Saturday, August 14th, during Readfield Heritage Days six historic site markers will be unveiled. Folks can either walk along with Dale Potter-Clark as each unveiling is done, or attend those of particular interest:

1. 9:00 a.m. Readfield Community Library at their book sale at the Readfield Fire Department.

2. 10:00 a.m. Union Meeting House, 22 Church Road. Meet inside the meeting house for this unveiling.

3. 11:00 a.m. Old Fairgrounds , Church Road. Four signs will be unveiled here. Three in the parking lot and one on the “Upper Fair-grounds Trail”. These signs will cover the time span 1812-2021; from 1812 when militia musters were first held; to the Kennebec County Agricultural Fair; and the Readfield Grange Fair to and through the evolution to what is there today.

4. 11:30 a.m. the sign at Upper Fairgrounds Trail will include information about the race track where sulky races, horse and oxen pullings and other events were held. An oxen pulling demonstration will be held then also, with some of the original pulling stones, to an area prepared for a special display.

The pulling stone event is made possible by a 
Maine Bicentennial Grant from the Maine Arts Commission.

FIRST HISTORIC SITE MARKER DEDICATED ~ JUNE 11, 2021

We dedicated the first "History Walks Series" historical site marker on June 11, 2021. More will be appearing in and around Readfield Corner this summer. Stay tuned for where and when...

The sign pictured here will be displayed on the Masonic Block at Readfield Corner. The photos and narrative includes the history of Masonic Lodge #48 which was established at Readfield Corner in 1826; and the devastating fire that destroyed most of Readfield Corner on June 11, 1921. The sign was sponsored in memory of Thomas Adell, by some of his family members, friends and members of the Masonic Lodge. (Andy Tolman photo)

In the photo L to R: Dale Potter-Clark, Bill Adams, Ed Dodge and standing below on the right is John Lord. Ed and John are Masons who worked with Dale to plan and implement the History Walk and sign dedication. Bill co-led the walk with Dale.

History Walks coming later this summer and fall (2021)

Thank you to all who attended #57 history walk on May 21st in East Readfield (pictured at left) and #58 on June 11th at Readfield Corner. Together, the two walks were attended by 80+ people, several came from out of town - some even made a special trip from out of State. About a quarter of them had never been to a history walk before.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for two dates (below) that have already been set for later this year. Dates will be announced for additional walks to be held this summer and fall as plans are set.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th Starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Readfield Community Library book sale (at Readfield Fire Department) Readfield Corner when a historic site marker will be dedicated, for the Library. Others in and around Readfield Corner will be dedicated following the Library sign rounding out this event at 1:00 p.m.  at the Old Fairgrounds! Stay tuned for more details about the schedule for the dedication of six new historic site markers at various sites that will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This is Readfield Heritage Days weekend so lots of other activities will be held on Friday and Saturday, including the Readfield Historical Society Wine N Cheese Friday, Aug. 13th. Stay tuned for times and details on other Heritage Days events.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11th 10 a.m.-12 noon for a Veterans' Day "march" in honor of our Veterans. Free lunch will be provided by the Readfield United Methodist Church, Kents Hill afterwards. Stay tuned for more details.

Details for additional 2021 history walks will be announced at a later date.

SPRING 2021 HISTORY WALKS COMING SOON... #57 and #58

After a 20 months lapse, due to COVID, we are finally planning some History Walks for this spring. We are still working on details but in the meantime, mark your calendars for these dates. We will be announcing details for both as they are confirmed. Please remember to bring a face mask.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

JESSE LEE CHURCH and EAST READFIELD CEMETERY MAY (#57)

Friday, May 21st 10 a.m.-12 noon To begin, meet by 10 a.m. at Jesse Lee Church on the corner of Plains Road and Main St. (route 17) in East Readfield. History Walkers will first visit the inside of  the Jesse Lee Church while learning more about its history. From there they will walk across Plains Road to visit the graves of some of those early residents who helped build the church, and to place American flags on the graves of Readfield veterans in observance of Memorial Day. 

Jesse Lee Meeting House was dedicated in 1795 and is named in honor of the Methodist missionary who had traveled from Virginia by horseback into this back country two years prior. As Lee  preached at the cabin of Nathaniel Whittier in 1793, to Whittier and several other early settlers, he suggested they build a meeting house and the settlers immediately set their hands and hearts  to doing so. They built it on the 5 acre "Bowdoin Lot" that had been set aside in the 1791 town plan/survey, for the addition of a house of worship, a school and a militia ground was also located on the Bowdoin Lot. Today, Jesse Lee is the oldest Methodist Church in New England, to have remained in continuous use as a house of worship. 

Meet at Jesse Lee Church on the corner of Plains Road and Main St (route 17) by 10 a.m. Walking is on level ground or slight incline in some places, with stops along the way, for about half a mile. In case of rain, postponement will be announced by 8 a.m. on the Readfield Historical Society Facebook page; on this website; and via email for those who are on our email list. To be added to that list send your request to crossings4u@gmail.com.

THE 1921 FIRE AT READFIELD CORNER (#58) 

Friday, June 11th 10 a.m.-12 noon On June 11, 1921 a devastating fire destroyed nearly every building at Readfield Corner. Dale Potter-Clark and Bill Adams will co-lead this walk, sharing photos and pointing out the locations that were impacted. They will also share some stories about that fateful day including the home and businesses that were lost. The Masonic Block was an important presence in town then as it is today and the Masons began rebuilding two short months after the fire which inspired others to do the same. The Masonic Hall will be open for those who wish to see it, at the culmination of the Walk and a historic site marker will be dedicated in remembrance of that day 100 years ago. Meet in the parking lot behind the Masonic Block (U.S. Post Office) by 10 a.m. We will be walking from there around the center of town - all walking is on level ground or slight incline in some places, with stops along the way, for about half a mile. In case of rain, the postponement of this walk will be made by 8:00 a.m. on this page; on the Readfield Historical Society facebook page and via email for those who are on our email list (to be added to the email list send a request to crossings4u@gmail.com)

Watch for future announcements about these History Walks on this web site, in local media outlets, and on the Readfield Historical Society facebook page. If you wish to be added to the history walks email list send your request to crossings4u@gmail.com.