MARGERY BROWN, EDITOR
The Historical Society now has a building of its own. The former Carleton Willey store on Main Street was donated to the Society by the Bar Harbor Banking and Trust in August. This store consists of two buildings that had been connected so that the first floors could be used as one store. One buildings referred to as the Monohan Store, has deteriorated to the point where it must be torn down. The other, known as the Patten Building, is basically sound. Work was started this fall to replace the necessary sills and jack the building back in place.
It is believed that the building was built around 1830 by Alexander Campbell and originally a grocery store occupied the first floor. The second floor was occupied by Judge Caleb Burbank’s and William Freeman, Sr.’s law offices. In 1865, Martha N. Patten bought the building from Alexander, David W. & Francis C. Campbell. Her husband, Frank W. Patten, operated a cobbler shop on the third floor. Many businesses were carried on in this building over the years: a barber shop, telegraph office, photography shop, and insurance, to mention a few. The first floor of each building served as a grocery store for years. Frank E. [B?] Patten ran a meat market. John Monohan and U. G. Gardner had groceries. We would appreciate hearing from persons who knew of different businesses located in either building and the years that they were there. Please send a list to the editor.
Much work needs to be done on the building before it can be used as a museum. We have a few volunteers; we could use a lot more. Not much can be done until spring. Ellsworth Building Supply has offered to donate some materials, Another person has offered to donate paint for the outside of the building. All donations are most welcome.
A food sale was held in September. At the same time we raffled an afghan donated by Joanne Willey and a case of Pepsi donated by Leonard Willey. A total of $241.00 was realized from this sale. The afghan was won by Laura Beals the case of Pepsi by Jessie Santerre. Edith Grant won the door prise for
A second sale was held in November. The raffle prize was a radio, won by Leonard Willey. The door prize went to Anita Merritt. There was a guess cake, made by Margery Brown. No one made the correct guess; it contained a small paper American flag. Proceeds from this sale were $210.00.
The Bicentennial celebration in Cherryfield on the weekend of July 16-18 was a huge success. The rain on Saturday forced cancellation of the parade until Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day, there was a large crowd, and all of us were having a grand time with the first parade in Cherryfield in many a year. The Bicentennial committee, under the leadership of Chairman Mrs. Jessie Santerre, did a wonderful job.
The Historical Society Museum, located in the Nash Carriage House, was open Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons that weekend. About 70 people came in to view our exhibits. The interest and enthusiasm shown by the visitors was most gratifying to those of us who worked to set up the exhibits. At present the museum is open by appointment, except during the winter by contacting Margery Brown.
The Committee used the money left from the Ball to buy trees which they planted in front of the Town Office (former Academy Building) in place of the elms which have been cut.
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The next newsletter will report on our progress in having old records and books microfilmed; books that we plan to have reprinted for sale, and perhaps a partial list of items that have been donated to the museum.
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Our meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at our building on Main Street. Come and join us around our pot-bellied stove.
It was decided to name the Bar Harbor Banking and Trust as an honorary member in appreciation for the building. It was also decided to keep the membership dues at $1.00 for the coming year. Your dues and donations are what helps the Society reach its goals of preserving local history. All donations are tax-exempt.
