Grange Hall restoration continues
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Restoration efforts will continue come warmer weather at the historic Grange Hall on U.S. Route 1(Caribou Road). The Presque Isle Historical Society acquired the structure a few years ago, with the intent of turning the structure into a museum.
Photos courtesy PI Historical Society
ONCE USED AS A ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE, the Maysville Grange at the intersection of the Brewer Road and U.S. Route 1 has served many functions over the years and will, in the future, serve as a museum run under the direction of the Presque Isle Historical Society.
THE MAYSVILLE GRANGE, once restored, will serve as a museum.
“The Historical Society is gearing up for a project that has been in the planning stages for two years now. In February of 2011, the Society raised the capital to save a local landmark — the Maysville Grange building on U.S. Route 1 between Presque Isle and Caribou,” said Kim Smith, treasurer for the Historical Society.
Smith said the facility has served many purposes over the years.
“Many know the building but perhaps not how historically significant it is. Prior to 1883, there was another town between Presque Isle and Caribou known as Maysville. The site, on the corner of U.S. Route 1 and the Brewer Road, simultaneously served as the town hall, school and Grange No. 153,” said Smith.
In addition to the great impact the Grange movement had on today’s society, “many of our forefathers considered ‘the’ movers and shakers of our town were, in fact, from Maysville,” noted Smith.
“These included John Allen, Elisha Parkhurst, Henry Rolfe and many more,” she said.
Smith said the Society has specific plans for the historic site.
“The Society plans to renovate the building to serve as a small museum on the Aroostook War (in which Maysville played a role) and the faces of Maysville as well as a tribute to the 21one-room schoolhouses that once served Presque Isle and the two Granges that served our community,” said Smith.
The renovations will be done in three phases.
“Phase I will include repair to a foundation wall, asbestos abatement, new siding and a new roof. Once these repairs are done, the facility will once again be completely under roof and renovations can then continue despite the weather,” said Smith.
Smith said funds have now been raised with which to start Phase I this summer.
“Secondly, the Society is working on a grant to the USDA which, if awarded, will provide some matching funds (35 cents for every dollar the Society raises),” said Smith.
“Most recently, a former Presque Isle resident with strong ties to the Grange building has offered a matching donation. The donor will personally match any additional funds raised up to $2,000,” Smith said.
For more information on this or any other project or to make a tax-deductible contribution, contact the Society at PO Box 285, Presque Isle, ME 04769, visit www.pihistory.org,call 762-1151 or e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com
