Open "Houses" in Parsonsfield...

Fascinating Talk at History House

The public is invited to  

Parsonsfield-Porter’s next meeting and free program 

Saturday, July 28, 2018  at History House 

Meeting at 2:00 p.m.  -  Program at 2:30 p.m. 

At History House

92 Main Street in

Kezar Falls Village (Rt. 160) 

          Fay Melendy returns with another interesting program about WW I.  She will talk about the diplomatic history of this period in the Middle East (1918 – 1919) and how nation states created by Europeans resulted in conflicts that continue today.

 “World War I and the Over-promised Middle East”

World War I Ended November 11, 1919 – the war to end all wars?

Far from it!

Fay is a retired attorney, and has an undergraduate degree in European History plus 40 years study of 19^th and 20^th century Europe.  She is a very interesting speaker on a subject that most of us know very little about.

Here is a history lesson that will help us understand this very difficult situation.   

A Short HIstory of Yard Sales

Did you know that the tradition of the yard sale (a.k.a. garage sale or rummage sale) got its start on the waterfront docks? 

          In the 16^th century “romage” was a nautical term relating to how cargo was packed into the hold of a ship.  The first “rummage” sales were held at the docks and cargo that was unclaimed or damaged was sold at a discounted rate.  By the 1890’s, the rummage sale was a common event held by community groups such as churches or charitable organizations to raise money and many people would donate their unused items to be sold off.   In the 1950’s and 60’s the popularity of yard/garage sales grew and anyone who wanted to dispose of their unused items and raise a little cash for themselves or a worthy cause began to hold sales in their yards and garages.  Today, you can find a yard/garage sale on nearly every corner during good weather.

          What a great way to cut down on waste and recycle perfectly good items that are no longer needed or used!   And who knows what hidden treasures are waiting for you to find.

The Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society will hold their annual

YARD AND BAKED GOOD SALE –

SAT. JULY 7^th , 9am – 1pm

at History House,  92 Main Street, Porter (Kezar Falls Village).

Rain or Shine.

Something for everyone.  Come find your treasure!

FMI  625-7019

PPHS June 23 Meeting will be at the KEZAR FALLS THEATER

Once again owner/filmmaker Silas Hagerty will host our June 23 meeting at the beautifully renovated KEZAR FALLS Theater.  As many of you may remember, this is where everyone who lived in this area from the 1940’s through 1971 went to the movies on weekends.  Some may remember it as Welch’s Discount Store Annex.  Silas has done a wonderful job bringing this old building back to life.  It is now his cinematography studio and he very frequently has movies and various other entertainment events here.  We are fortunate that he invites us to have a meeting here once a year and always presents a wonderful program.  Come see what he has been able to accomplish in just a few short years. 

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Meeting - 2pm  

   Program - 2:30pm

at the renovated 

Kezar Falls Theater

21 Maine Street, 

Kezar Falls Village (Rt.160)

Remember, our annual yard sale is coming soon!  It is a great time to clean out attics and garages for the benefit of PPHS!  Check your newsletter for details.

New Exhibit Opens at History House

HISTORY HOUSE WILL OPEN

 WITH A NEW EXHIBIT

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1:00 – 4:OO pm.

“Logging in the Sacopee Valley”

Logging has been an important industry in Maine, including the Sacopee Valley area, since settlement first began here.  Nearly every family has someone who is or has been involved in the logging industry.  Come learn about old-time logging methods, logging camps and life as a logger in the early days. 

Come tour the house and view all the exhibits.

History House is located at 92 Main Street, Porter 

(in Kezar Falls Village)

just east of the Porter Town Hall and the 

Sacopee Valley Health Center.

FMI – call 625-7019

Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society

Meeting and free program – Public Invited.

 To introduce our new exhibit scheduled to open in June,

we are presenting the film

“WOODSMEN AND RIVER DRIVERS

Another day, another era.”

To be followed by

oral history stories from some of the men and women whose lives

depended on the logging business in the years past.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Meeting – 2 p.m.      Program – 2:30 p.m.

At History House

92 Main Street

Kezar Falls Village (Rt. 160)

FMI – 625-7019

Logging in the Sacopee Valley

Logging has long been a major industry in the Sacopee Valley and surrounding towns.  In the early days timber was most often cut in the winter.  If not hauled to local or portable saw mills near by, the logs were transported by horses or trucks to landings along the Ossipee and Saco river banks to wait for spring and high river waters.  In about April after the river ice was gone men called “river drivers” rolled them into the river and floated them down stream all the way to the mills of J. G. Deering & Son and Diamond Match Company on the Saco River in Biddeford.  

River Driving - 1918

River driving was an annual occurrence on the Great Ossipee River from the 1820’s right into the middle of the 1960’s.  Here men are knee-deep in the frigid water of the Ossipee River in an effort to keep the logs moving over the dam at Kezar Falls.  Many logs were destined for mills along the Saco River.  The Kezar Falls covered bridge is in the background and Garner Island is on the right.

“Rearing After” by Bateau.  Following the river drive, men in bateaus use their peaveys and pike poles to break up log jams.  These men are working the river above the falls at Kezar Falls. Elm Street homes are in the background.  River driving was dangerous, but many made it their life’s work.  Russell Chisholm of Cornish was the only river driver to lose his life on the Ossipee River.  He drowned at age 24 – May 23, 1940 on the drive below mouth of Pleasant Pond

          In the 1970’s river drives were no longer allowed because of the pollution and environmental damage they caused.