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.

Parsonsfield Exhibit...One Day Only!

   To celebrate the History House's publication, "The History of Parsonsfield - a town of many villages", we are mounting an exhibit of photographs of Parsonsfield.  It will be a one day only event on Sunday September 30 from 1-3 pm.  You will be able to purchase the book at that time also if you haven't already.  They are going fast so don't loose out!

   The photograph on the left was taken on Garner Island in Kezar Falls in 1882.  It shows the Comet marching band.  We don't want to "toot our horn" but the book is full of wonderful photographs such as this!

    This is the Olin Banks home on Banks Road.
So much of Parsonsfield in the 19th century was open fields.  Now the house is surrounded by trees...you can barely see it!

   Our book pairs old pictures with a current one.  A sort of "Then and Now" approach you'll find fascinating.

   This is the Stanley Bank Building in Kezar Falls.  There were several centers of commerce in Parsonsfield in the 19th century.  The woolen mill its own section in the book. 

   There is so many fascinating facts and images in the book that you really shouldn't miss owning your very own copy.  Porter residents...Kezar Falls is a good size section in the book so you will want to buy a copy to pair with your history of Porter edition!  

Don't forget to buy a copy to send to friends and relatives who have

moved away.  It would make an excellent Christmas present! (Hint, Hint!)

September 2nd Open House

   Join us at History House for our annual Labor Day Weekend Open House from 1 - 3:00 pm.  This is your last chance to see this year's exhibit, "From Cradle to Grave".

   On the lawn, Cooper Steven VanSyckle will demonstrate his fascinating craft and inside, children can try their hand at writing with pen and ink!

    There is still time to purchase your copy of the history of Parsonsfield but they're going fast!  Don't miss out!

   We encourage you to show your support of History House by purchasing raffle tickets for our lovely quilt.  Your support is crucial because "Local History Matters" and we want History House to be able to continue it's work of preserving our towns' past.  We can only do that with your help.

Under the Dress: Ladies Fashions from the 1860's

   The unique silhouette of the Civil War and Victorian period came from a series of foundation garments (called underpinnings).

  

 In this presentation, Carolyn Lawson of the Third Maine Regiment Civil War re-enactors will show the usually unseen underpinnings of the elaborate
ladies dresses of the Civil War era.

History House continues our commemoration of the Civil War with this wonderful presentation.

Saturday

August 11, 2012

2 - 4 pm

Tickets are $5.00 at the door.


Refreshments will be served.

Our Annual Quilt Raffle is Here!

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society

ANNUAL QUILT RAFFLE TICKETS:

$1.00  Each or 6 for $5.00

   

Field & Furrows Pattern – Queen Size

Drawing at the October 27th  Meeting.