PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Festivities are well under way for the Presque Isle Historical Society, with the organization marking its golden anniversary with a variety of activities, including its popular candlelight tour.
The celebration began March 23 with a champagne and candlelight tour of the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum. These guided tours will continue throughout the year, hosted by tour guide Kim Smith, who also serves as the organization’s treasurer.
“These guided tours will discuss the beginnings of Presque isle, the history of the Estey House and its unique resident, Vera Estey,” said Smith.
Visitors were able to see the house much as it appeared to its original inhabitants — via candlelight.
“This was the kickoff of our tour season. This marks an earlier than usual start to the tour season, as it commemorated March as National Women’s History Month and the year-long celebration of the Historical Society’s 50th anniversary. Visitors were treated to a guided tour of the house, its history as it relates to the founding of Presque Isle and numerous interesting artifacts as well as champagne and light hors d’oeuvres,” said Smith.
Most of the historical society members were in period costumes representing the various eras the house was occupied (1875-1986).
Tours at the historic landmark will be given on a monthly basis.
“The house museum will be open for tours at 1 p.m. on April 27, May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug. 24 and Sept. 28. The cost of the tour is $2 per person. Tours are also available by appointment for groups and organizations,” Smith said.
The Historical Society’s regular tour season begins in earnest this month, with monthly guided walking tours of historic downtown Presque Isle, city-wide narrated history tours aboard Molly the Trolley, haunted lantern tours and — new this year — guided tours of the historic Fairmount Cemetery. Quarterly presentations on topics of historic interest are also planned.
“Also in recognition of the Historical Society’s golden anniversary, Presque Isle’s City Council recently passed a resolution declaring April 16 or the Saturday closest to it ‘Founder’s Day’ in Presque Isle,” said Smith. A special ceremony was planned at the historic fire station at the corner of Second and Church streets to mark the occasion on Saturday, but poor weather caused cancellation of the event.
“We received a proclamation from Gov. Paul LePage, a legislative sentiment and a letter from the city of Presque Isle, which may be read at a later time. We did do a city-wide trolley tour with good attendance,” said Craig Green, president of the Historical Society.
Green said the weather was less than cooperative, causing the postponement of most of Saturday’s planned festivities.
“It was cold, with snow and rain mixing. Only a few people showed up so we decided rather than continue, we’d postpone our activities to a later date,” said Green.
Special celebratory events will be scheduled throughout the year, noted Green.
For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution, call 762-1151, visit www.pihistory.org or e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com
