Upcoming Events 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 P.M.: "Debunking the 'Three Brothers Came to America' and Other Family Theories" OR "Separating Fact From Fiction"
Join writer, lecturer, genealogist, and a retired ordained American Baptist minister, Douglas Cruger, as he debunks some treasured family stories of where we came from. Many of these traditional family myths are frequently wrong! Unfortunately, what your great grandmother remembered about your family's roots may not stand up to the modern techniques of genealogical research. Explore some popular family folklore in light of what the facts may actually tell us. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Sunday, May 22, 1-3:30 P.M.: "Victorian White Party with Maypole Dancing"
Celebrate the arrival of spring with your entire family come rain or shine as we gather on the front and south lawns at Quillcote, Kate Douglas Wiggin's historic summer residence on 20 Salmon Falls Rd. in Hollis to experience a traditional "Victorian White Party", a popular community social event in the days of KDW. May pole dances will be performed by the Movers and Shakers Competition Dance Team of All That Dance Studio of West Buxton. You or your kids might like to take a turn dancing around a Maypole, too! There will be music, refreshments, horse shoes, croquet, and an opportunity to make your own, or purchase, a pre-made Flower Crown Wreath to adorn your hair on this festive day! FMI, contact Jan Hill 929-8895. *Donations gratefully accepted.
Tuesday, June 21, 100 Main St., Bar Mills, 6:30 P.M.: "Kate Douglas Wiggin: From Celebrity to Obscurity"
Join Nancy Ponzetti of Hollis as she shares her love of history and her fascinating research perspective on Kate Douglas Wiggin, who in 1915, as recorded by her sister Nora Archibald Smith, was named by the Women’s Board of the Exposition for the San Francisco World’s Fair as one of the six most distinguished women in the world, “one of the feminine luminaries of art, learning, and achievement”. This program will address the questions: Who was Kate Douglas Wiggin?; What were her accomplishments?; and How did she journey from celebrity to obscurity? Ms. Ponzetti's research on Kate Douglas Wiggin was connected to a three-year Teaching American History (TAH) grant awarded through MSAD #11 Gardiner, ME from 2004-2007. The end product of this grant was a biography of Kate published by the Maine Humanities Council. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Saturday, July 23, 10 A.M.: Cruising the River II & BBQ
We had such a good time "Cruising the River" last year, we decided to do it again! So, bring your kayak or canoe, your safety gear, sunscreen and water for another excursion on the glorious Saco. This time, we put in at the Skelton Boat Landing in Dayton (formally Hollis) and flat paddle to Cook's Brook, Pleasant Point, Indian Cellar and finally to the Larry property below the Bar Mills Dam, Hollis side. A delectable BBQ follows in Bar Mills in the wonderful Burt and Barbara Pease barn on 59 Depot St. Hamburgers, hot dogs and beverage provided. We would love it if you would like to bring a side dish to share! R.S.V.P. for the cookout by August 17 to Berty Ramsdell 929-4529 or email [email protected] *Donations gratefully accepted.
Saturday, August 6, 5 P.M. : Box Lunch Auction
Support your new Buxton-Hollis Historical Society History Center Capital Projects Fund by joining us for a unique, delightful and fun filled evening!!! All you need do is pack a light supper in a decorated box or container. Then, attach a description of the meal you provide, which will then be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Bruce A. Buxton, auctioneer extraordinaire, is back by popular demand! The venue is the magical Royal Brewster Barn at the corner of Rt. 202 and 112. Social hour begins at 5.P.M. Wine, refreshments and door prizes galore! FMI and to reserve your seat, call Bev at 929-6495 or email [email protected]
Saturday, August 13, 9 A.M.—3 P.M. - Hollis "Pirate Fest" being held at the Hollis Sports Complex
Visit our BHHS sales table with items of local historic interest. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, August 20, 9 A.M.- 2 P.M. - Dorcas Fair (BHHS Table)
There is no Buxton Community Day this year and the Dorcas Society has moved its Dorcas Fair back to its traditional date. Come visit us at our BHHS booth on the lawn of the First Congregational Church (Tory Hill), corner Rt. 112 & 202. View and purchase local items of historic interest. Credit cards accepted.
Tuesday, September 20, 6:30: "Life in Stone"
Stone rubbing is the practice of creating an image of surface features of gravestones on paper and can reveal what was going on in an area or a specific time. Paul Barasel will discuss gravestone funeral art symbolism from the early 1600's through the late 1880's. Mr. Barasel, who has done numerous talks on the subject, began his fascination with gravestone rubbings over 40 years ago. Most recently, Mr. Barasel authored an article entitled "This Hobby Makes 'Getting Stoned' Have a Whole New Exciting Meaning", which appeared in the "Up Portland" Newspaper, February, 2016 edition. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 P.M.: "The Evolution of Funeral Customs in New England"
As with so many other things in our daily lives, funeral traditions stemming from the earliest days of America have changed and evolved over the years. Customs at colonial funerals were quite different and some might even be considered strange today. Victorian society dictated strict rules for the observance of rituals related to death and dying. Today, many modern funeral customs are focused on personalizing arrangements tailored to fit the life of the deceased. Explore changing funeral customs with Chad Poitras, serving area residents and their families since 2001. Chad is Funeral Director at Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Saturday, November 5, 5 P.M. - Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner “All Roads Lead to Bar Mills” Exhibit Celebration
Once again, we will gather together at 100 Main Street, Bar Mills, for our Annual Meeting, election of officers and delicious potluck dinner! The program will be slides of our new Bar Mills exhibit creation process and a chance to view the exhibit. Exhibit visionary, local history resource and past BHHS President Brenton Hill, assisted by Curator Steven Atripaldi; BHHS President Jan Hill; Buxton Vice-President, Barry Plummer; and graphic design guru, Beth Gardner, have been working to create and complete our first major BHHS exhibit. It has taken an incredible amount of time and energy and we trust that you will find it well worth the effort! For dinner reservations, call Berty Ramsdell @ 929-4529 or email [email protected]. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
*Please note that suggested donations are used to support on-going capital improvements to our new history center building.
Join writer, lecturer, genealogist, and a retired ordained American Baptist minister, Douglas Cruger, as he debunks some treasured family stories of where we came from. Many of these traditional family myths are frequently wrong! Unfortunately, what your great grandmother remembered about your family's roots may not stand up to the modern techniques of genealogical research. Explore some popular family folklore in light of what the facts may actually tell us. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Sunday, May 22, 1-3:30 P.M.: "Victorian White Party with Maypole Dancing"
Celebrate the arrival of spring with your entire family come rain or shine as we gather on the front and south lawns at Quillcote, Kate Douglas Wiggin's historic summer residence on 20 Salmon Falls Rd. in Hollis to experience a traditional "Victorian White Party", a popular community social event in the days of KDW. May pole dances will be performed by the Movers and Shakers Competition Dance Team of All That Dance Studio of West Buxton. You or your kids might like to take a turn dancing around a Maypole, too! There will be music, refreshments, horse shoes, croquet, and an opportunity to make your own, or purchase, a pre-made Flower Crown Wreath to adorn your hair on this festive day! FMI, contact Jan Hill 929-8895. *Donations gratefully accepted.
Tuesday, June 21, 100 Main St., Bar Mills, 6:30 P.M.: "Kate Douglas Wiggin: From Celebrity to Obscurity"
Join Nancy Ponzetti of Hollis as she shares her love of history and her fascinating research perspective on Kate Douglas Wiggin, who in 1915, as recorded by her sister Nora Archibald Smith, was named by the Women’s Board of the Exposition for the San Francisco World’s Fair as one of the six most distinguished women in the world, “one of the feminine luminaries of art, learning, and achievement”. This program will address the questions: Who was Kate Douglas Wiggin?; What were her accomplishments?; and How did she journey from celebrity to obscurity? Ms. Ponzetti's research on Kate Douglas Wiggin was connected to a three-year Teaching American History (TAH) grant awarded through MSAD #11 Gardiner, ME from 2004-2007. The end product of this grant was a biography of Kate published by the Maine Humanities Council. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Saturday, July 23, 10 A.M.: Cruising the River II & BBQ
We had such a good time "Cruising the River" last year, we decided to do it again! So, bring your kayak or canoe, your safety gear, sunscreen and water for another excursion on the glorious Saco. This time, we put in at the Skelton Boat Landing in Dayton (formally Hollis) and flat paddle to Cook's Brook, Pleasant Point, Indian Cellar and finally to the Larry property below the Bar Mills Dam, Hollis side. A delectable BBQ follows in Bar Mills in the wonderful Burt and Barbara Pease barn on 59 Depot St. Hamburgers, hot dogs and beverage provided. We would love it if you would like to bring a side dish to share! R.S.V.P. for the cookout by August 17 to Berty Ramsdell 929-4529 or email [email protected] *Donations gratefully accepted.
Saturday, August 6, 5 P.M. : Box Lunch Auction
Support your new Buxton-Hollis Historical Society History Center Capital Projects Fund by joining us for a unique, delightful and fun filled evening!!! All you need do is pack a light supper in a decorated box or container. Then, attach a description of the meal you provide, which will then be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Bruce A. Buxton, auctioneer extraordinaire, is back by popular demand! The venue is the magical Royal Brewster Barn at the corner of Rt. 202 and 112. Social hour begins at 5.P.M. Wine, refreshments and door prizes galore! FMI and to reserve your seat, call Bev at 929-6495 or email [email protected]
Saturday, August 13, 9 A.M.—3 P.M. - Hollis "Pirate Fest" being held at the Hollis Sports Complex
Visit our BHHS sales table with items of local historic interest. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, August 20, 9 A.M.- 2 P.M. - Dorcas Fair (BHHS Table)
There is no Buxton Community Day this year and the Dorcas Society has moved its Dorcas Fair back to its traditional date. Come visit us at our BHHS booth on the lawn of the First Congregational Church (Tory Hill), corner Rt. 112 & 202. View and purchase local items of historic interest. Credit cards accepted.
Tuesday, September 20, 6:30: "Life in Stone"
Stone rubbing is the practice of creating an image of surface features of gravestones on paper and can reveal what was going on in an area or a specific time. Paul Barasel will discuss gravestone funeral art symbolism from the early 1600's through the late 1880's. Mr. Barasel, who has done numerous talks on the subject, began his fascination with gravestone rubbings over 40 years ago. Most recently, Mr. Barasel authored an article entitled "This Hobby Makes 'Getting Stoned' Have a Whole New Exciting Meaning", which appeared in the "Up Portland" Newspaper, February, 2016 edition. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 P.M.: "The Evolution of Funeral Customs in New England"
As with so many other things in our daily lives, funeral traditions stemming from the earliest days of America have changed and evolved over the years. Customs at colonial funerals were quite different and some might even be considered strange today. Victorian society dictated strict rules for the observance of rituals related to death and dying. Today, many modern funeral customs are focused on personalizing arrangements tailored to fit the life of the deceased. Explore changing funeral customs with Chad Poitras, serving area residents and their families since 2001. Chad is Funeral Director at Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service. Refreshments served. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
Saturday, November 5, 5 P.M. - Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner “All Roads Lead to Bar Mills” Exhibit Celebration
Once again, we will gather together at 100 Main Street, Bar Mills, for our Annual Meeting, election of officers and delicious potluck dinner! The program will be slides of our new Bar Mills exhibit creation process and a chance to view the exhibit. Exhibit visionary, local history resource and past BHHS President Brenton Hill, assisted by Curator Steven Atripaldi; BHHS President Jan Hill; Buxton Vice-President, Barry Plummer; and graphic design guru, Beth Gardner, have been working to create and complete our first major BHHS exhibit. It has taken an incredible amount of time and energy and we trust that you will find it well worth the effort! For dinner reservations, call Berty Ramsdell @ 929-4529 or email [email protected]. *Suggested donations: $10, Seniors $8.
*Please note that suggested donations are used to support on-going capital improvements to our new history center building.