The Evolution of a Church-Part Three...

This is the old church after it was transformed into the Garner Gym upstairs and the Fire House on the ground floor.  Mr. William Garner purchased the building in 1937 and remodeled the second floor for the gym and the lower part for the fire station.  It was presented to the town in time for basketball season in 1941. 

The Evolution of a Church-Part Two...

   This is the old church building on River Street when the Charter Oak Grange owned it in 1908 and added another floor. Myron Ridlon started the first drug store here in 1910 and Frank Holmes had the dry goods store on the right. In 1924 it was ravaged by fire destroying the 3^rd floor. Orman Stanley and Jim Wiggins purchased it and rebuilt it without the 3^rd story.

The Evolution of a Church-Part One...

 This building was formerly a Union church located between School and Bridge Street in Kezar Falls Village. The Kezar Falls Methodist Church  began using it in 1867.  This building was moved to this nearby River Street location and a new Methodist Church was built just back of this building’s former location in 1883.  One of the oldest buildings in town, it evolved over a period of years and was used for many purposes including a popular roller skating rink.  Dr. Chellis bought it in 1887 and made a large public hall called the “Village Hall”.

An old hotel in Kezar Falls-Part Two...

The Hotel Malvern shown here circa 1950’s.  By this time it was more of a boarding house with long term room rentals.  Edgar Giles bought the business and the Hadlock family ran the hotel for many years.  Irma Giles ran an “Apparel Shop” in the store underneath the porch until 1947 when her father sold the hotel. Harold & Dorothy Jones owned it in the 50’s and ran a restaurant underneath.  They sold it to the Stewarts in 1974 who owned it for just a short time before it burned January 1976. 

An old hotel in Kezar Falls-Part One...

   The four story Manowando Hotel afforded guests an excellent view of the river.  It was erected across from the triangle at Kezar Falls Village at the corner of Bridge and River Street in 1885/86 by Dr. Edwin Chellis at a cost of $4,000 and operated by C.E. Hubbard.  In 1897 John Quint bought the business and renamed it the Hotel Malvern.  A restaurant was located on the lower level.  Behind it was a “Livery and Feed” stable.  It served “Drummers” (traveling salesmen), lumbermen participating in local log drives, summer visitors, and traveling stock companies performing at local theaters.  Also, mill girls boarded here for $5 a week and meals cost $1. 

What are you thankful for?

   November is a time we give thanks for all the wonderful things in our lives.  On Saturday, November 10th those of us at History House gather for our annual Thanksgiving luncheon.  Everyone is invited and you just need to call our secretary, Jan Iler, to reserve your seat...625-7019.

   At our luncheon we give thanks to all of you who helped out at History House this year...in small and big ways.  We also give thanks that we have a repository of our local history which is open and accessible to everyone.  Are you thankful too?  It takes so little to show your appreciation of the efforts of those who want to keep your local history alive.  Membership in the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society is one way but attendance at our open houses and events is another. Helping out at our various fund raising events, like our annual yard sale, is another way you can help the society continue our efforts of maintaining History House and the collection.The year is coming to a close in a few weeks and you might like to take the opportunity to give an additional tax deductible contribution to the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society.  All gifts, no matter how large or how small are gratefully accepted.

   Our luncheon brings to a close the years events but now, thanks to this blog, we can keep sharing with you snippets of local history on a monthly basis.  We will publish two post each month which will feature a photograph and a brief write up.  So, check back frequently for your Local History Dispatch!

   We hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we again thank you all for helping us demonstrated that Local History Matters!



  

The Knights of Pythias Theater Curtain: the art of Marion Fracher

Community theater productions were prevalent in the 19th and early 20th century in New England.  Kezar Falls was no different.  This wonderful theater curtain, originally hung in the Knights of Pythias Hall has been in the Porter Town Offices for many years.  Come to the meeting on October 27th (our last business meeting of the year) and find out about the origins of this lovely curtain.

The meeting will be held at the Porter Town Office...not the History House!

Don't forget to get a copy of the wonderful book "Parsonsfield - a town of many villages". They will be available at the meeting.