Officials with the Central Aroostook Historical Society — which includes Blaine, Mars Hill, E Plantation, Robinson and Westfield — have seen a great deal of changes in the past five years, thanks to volunteers who’ve committed of their time and knowledge, as well as past and present residents who’ve contributed items of historic importance to these communities.
“On Jan. 25, 2010, seven local citizens met for the first time at the Central Aroostook High School to begin the work of starting a local organization to focus on history in these five towns. Kim Smith, of the Presque Isle Historical Society, was kind enough to attend an early meeting and help us determine the initial steps in launching and building our group. She generously shared a stack of notebooks and binders with a wealth of ideas, forms and suggestions based on her extensive experience,” said Steve Hitchcock, president of the Central Aroostook Historical Society.
Hitchcock said representatives from the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton also gave his group “sound advice from their work with that successful organization, focused on farming.”
He said after many committee meetings, the goals and aspirations for the group began to take shape.
“The prime missions of the Central Aroostook Historical Society are to: learn local history, record and preserve local history, and teach local history. One aspect of learning and recording that we feel urgency about is conducting video interviews with our older citizens. We are blessed with many people in our region who are 85 to 95 years old. Several are older, including Juanita Rideout, who turned 100 in January,” Hitchcock said.
Hitchcock said it soon became apparent that the organization “needed to become a non-profit corporation.”
“In great part due to the generous donation of time and knowledge by Attorney Brent York, we incorporated, then started to seek 501(c)(3) designation by the Internal Revenue Service,” he said.
On May 11, 2012, the organization received non-profit status.
Next arose the dilemma of having an organization, but no building to call home.
“With any new historical society there is the chicken/egg problem. People ask ‘how can you start a group like this without a building,’ then others see a problem starting out with a building then building membership. We believed that the organization should come first, then we could work toward our mission and work out the physical facility in the future,” he said.
Hitchcock said it was Nate Smith, an historical committee member and Blaine selectman, who suggested that the town of Blaine might give the former Mountain Grange building, next to the Town Hall, to the Historical Society.
“We made the request, Nate advocated for us with the town, and both the board of selectmen and then later the citizens of Blaine at a town meeting voted to make the gift. In May 2013, the Central Aroostook Historical Society took ownership of the building,” said Hitchcock.
Looking back, Hitchcock said five years seems like a long time.
“We are proud of our accomplishments thus far. Also, we are pleased with some of the items collected and with the projects underway. We have a signature quilt top made by the Ladies Aid Society in 1897. We are working in partnership with the woodshop at Central Aroostook High School on the restoration of the ‘Lobster Pot’ building, an iconic local historical treasure,” said Hitchcock.
“We are also working on the former Grange building to replace the roof and provide wheelchair access to the building. The Aroostook County Fund and the Caroline D. Gentile Fund of the Maine Community Foundation gave a $5,000 grant and the Rotary Club of Mars Hill made a $500 donation for partial roof repair,” said Hitchcock. “We appreciate this financial support and commend these organizations for helping community-based efforts.”
Hitchcock said it’s important for citizens to get involved too.
“We ask that our citizens think about any items, photos, films or documents about local history and consider donating them to the Historical Society. You can help support our work by becoming a member at $15 for students, $25 for individuals or $100 for corporate membership. Donations and/or memberships can be mailed to: PO Box 293, Mars Hill, ME 04758,” said Hitchcock. “Feel free to contact any of the officers for more information,’ said Hitchcock.
In addition to President Hitchcock, officers include: Wendy Grass, vice president; Ryan Shaw, treasurer; and Betsy York, secretary.
