$1,000 to the Jefferson Historical Society, Jefferson, for Educational Outreach Programs: Jefferson’s Bicentennial Project
Jefferson celebrates its bicentennial in 2007 with a series of events and publications supported by several public education projects. Look for these and other bicentennial events using this online calendar: www.maine.gov/local/lincoln/jefferson/news.php.
$1,000 to Norlands Living History Center, Livermore, for Washburn Humanities Seminar
The topic for the 14th Annual Humanities Seminar Seminar, which runs June 14-16, 2007 at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore, is “Mysteries of Northern New England.” As a collaboration between Norlands, the University of Maine at Farmington, and the North Livermore Community, the seminar brings scholars and independent researchers together with the general public. To learn more or to join the “History Lovers” mailing list to receive information about future conferences, please contact Norlands at (207) 897-4366.
$1,000 to Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, for Teens Connecting at MML
Special efforts to make Merrill more welcoming to teens include movie nights, craft events, author visits, and a monthly book group. To learn about upcoming events, call children’s librarian Melissa Madigan at (207) 846-4763.
$500 to the Trust for the Preservation of Maine Industrial History and Technology, Portland, for The Portland Co.: An Introduction
The first formal exhibit of the Trust for the Preservation of Maine Industrial History and Technology (familiarly known as the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum) opens June 15, 2007. This quasi-permanent exhibit tells the story of the Portland Company, founded in 1846 by John Poor. For information on viewing the exhibit at 58 Fore Street in Portland, please call (207) 828-0814.
$500 to the Northern Maine Fair, Presque Isle, for Historical Pavillion
The Historical Pavilion is an annual event at the Northern Maine Fair, bringing items from more than twenty regional historical societies and family collections together for an exhibition of local history. The Pavilion is in the Forum, the largest building on the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle. This year, the Fair is working especially hard to increase participation from the St. John Valley. For the Historical Pavillion, that means covering transportation costs and providing special outreach to historical societies from these northern communities. For more information, contact Kevin McCartney at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, (207) 768-9482.
$300 to Literacy Volunteers of Maine, Portland, for Maine Author Series: Wesley McNair Reading
On May 2, 2007, Literacy Volunteers of Maine held its annual Stars in Literacy banquet in honor of its learners and tutors. The event featured acclaimed storyteller Michael Parent, who delivered an interactive presentation that connected with students’ own experiences of storytelling. Parent’s performance served as a catalyst for a tutor/learner lesson plan distributed to attendees so that they could reflect on the event and explore the art of storytelling. For a copy of the lesson plan, please contact Literacy Volunteers at (207) 773-3191.
$125.25 to the Lubec Historical Society, Lubec, for Postcard Archival Project
In the old company store of the Columbian Packing Co. on Route 189 in Lubec, the Lubec Historical Society runs a tourist information center and small museum every summer. Visitors to the museum are particularly fond of flipping through an album of historic postcards and browsing the early merchandise, labeled with 1902 prices. In 2007, volunteers will reinvigorate these displays by replacing the torn pages in the postcard album and reprinting the store signs on new stock. They will also produce high-quality prints of the historic photographs contributed by Lubec residents and scanned last winter by high school students. Finally, a new sign and paint job will enhance the appearance of the visitor’s center, making it an even more popular attraction for tourists and residents alike. To plan a visit, please call (207) 733-4696.
Notes from an Open Book welcomes feedback from its readers. Please contact Diane Magras by email at diane@mainehumanities.org or by phone at (207)773-5051 ext. 208 (toll-free 1-866-637-3233, ext. 208) to respond.