Readfield History Walk #13 Friday, October 11, 2013 ~ Factory Square (updated 6/4/2014)

Grist Mill at Factory Square around 1900.

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 11, 2013 when we will be "History Walking" on Factory Square. See the end of this post for the route we plan to follow. If you are not on our email list please send a request so you will receive the map and pictures that will be emailed to our list before the walk.

A PEEK AT THE HISTORY...
The first mills - a grist mill and sawmill - were built in this area of Readfield by James Craig. Soon after that Robert Cornforth built a woolen mill, and other mills and operators followed until there were more than a dozen factories and businesses in this relatively small section of Readfield. For more than 150 years Factory Square was a busy industrial center. There were, at one time, four dams between the head of Torsey Pond - called Bean's Mills - and Mill Stream Road (now a public trail). There were three mill ponds within that area, in addition to Torsey Pond west of there. Manufacturing and business activity started to subside with the advent of the railroad, road travel and easier access to larger mills and industrial centers. In the flood of 1987 two of the dams and bridges (Giles Road and Mill Stream Road) were destroyed. Today there is very little evidence that gives the unknowing eye any hint of the activity that once was.  

 

There is no school on this day - we welcome school aged children (and their adult chaperones) who have interest in their town's history to join the group. We appreciate RSVPs so we will have an idea of how many participants we can expect - email crossings4u@gmail.com

Ø  10am start at the town office (RTO) à Old Kents Hill Road;

Ø  Enter north entrance Mill Stream Road / trail;

Ø  Giles Road (Factory Street);

Ø  Back onto Old Kents Hill Road;

Ø  Left towards Cornforth house for a walkabout;

Ø  Walk on to Bean’s Mills (at group’s discretion);

Ø  Return via Old Kents Hill Road and see the dam and site of old mill pond;

Ø  Walk back to RTO via Old Kents Hill Road;

Ø  Choose a nice outdoor space to share our lunch / sandwiches. 

After this History Walk I did additional research about some of the ground we covered on 10/11/2013. Follow this link to read more about Factory Square:

HISTORY WALK #12 ~ Friday 9/27/2013

We are very pleased to announce that on

Friday, September 27th

the Readfield History Walkers will explore

the area around Carleton Pond

and

"the Vanished Village" in East Readfield 



• Brian Tarbuck of Readfield, who is the Augusta Water District General Manager, will lead the walk.
• Dale will show newly acquired and one of a kind pictures of some homes and the school that were once in East Readfield village. 
• Copies of The Sanborns of East Readfield and Beyond will be available  to participating walkers at a special rate of $7.00. 
• Input from the loggers who recently cut that property will also be shared. 

This is an exciting opportunity for those who are truly interested in

the history of Readfield and want to learn about "the Vanished Village". 

The chance to see and take in the pristine Carleton Pond is a real plus!!

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:  The trail will be wet in places so bring your boots or water worthy shoes. We expect the horse flies and deer ticks to be pretty evident so plan accordingly. Bring plenty of drinking water and a sandwich / something to eat. We are told the trails / roads on AWD have not been maintained for the past ten years - except for being bush-hogged - so the walk may be rather strenuous in places. Please bear that in mind if wish to come.

THE FOLLOWING SECTION WAS UPDATED 9/26/2013

WHEN AND WHERE: At 10:00am we will gather at the Jesse Lee Methodist Church on top of the hill, next to the East Readfield Cemetery, on the corner of route 17 & Plains Road, where there is plenty of high and dry parking .

WHAT TO EXPECT:  We will share some historical background of the immediate area; visit the Sanborn’s plot; and see the pictures of East Readfield village. Then we will either walk or be shuttled down the hill to the Augusta Water District, noting where some of the old buildings / foundations are along the way. Then, we will walk into Carleton Pond and back. Those who wish to walk back up the (route 17) hill to their cars can do so, or be shuttled if that is the preference.FMI: crossings4u@gmail.com. In case of inclement weather notices will be posted on this web site re cancellations / postponements.

Invitation from Readfield Conservation Commission ~ Readfield Town Forest Tour September 28th

FMI contact Tim Sniffin.

The public is invited to attend a field trip to view the current timber harvesting operation at the Readfield Town Forest on Saturday, September 28 sponsored by the Readfield Conservation Commission. Readfield’s Town Forester, Harold Burnett, will lead the site visit and explain the harvesting operation.

Every five years, a portion of the 110-acre Town Forest is harvested to improve the health of the forest and wildlife habitat while raising revenue that is used to maintain the Town’s conservation lands.

Interested attendees should meet in the parking lot at the Readfield Town Office at 8:30 to carpool to the Town Forest (where parking is limited) or can drive directly to the gate to the Town Forest on the Belz Road  where the field trip will start at 9:00.  The tour will take about two hours, and will involve walking in and out of the Town Forest which is about a half-mile from the gate.

History Walks Resuming This Fall

Plans are underway for History Walks this fall. Specific plans will be announced soon. In the meantime MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the first walk this fall on
Friday, September 27, 2013! 

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.