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Norridgewock Historical Society: A Rich Community Resource
When visitors from away have questions or curiosity about this part of the world or when people from the area want to admire what a historical society can achieve, the Norridgewock Historical Society Museum is the place to visit. With over 300 members, a full calendar of monthly meetings with guest speakers, an on-going involvement in special events, a 16-page newsletter absolutely packed with interesting pictures and information, extensive scrapbooks and genealogies, and a well-documented collection, the Society chronicles far more than its immediate surroundings. It is a living, proactive, hands-on, forward-oriented (2004 has been designated the year of the expansion for the museum) resource for the extended region. In addition to an active and generous membership and local ciitzenry, and a supportive town, the NHS can thank dedicated curator and past president Lucille Greer and current president Gerard Forgue. In the Winter 2003 newsletter, Gerard writes:
The NHS is positioned, if membership is so inclined, to become a crossroad community, i.e. Kennebec Chaudiere International Heritage Corridor, Old Canada Road Scenic ByWay, Norridgewock Archeological District National Historic Landmark, Arnold Expedition Encampment, etc. The society has laid the groundwork by exchanging memberships with local and international historical societies, we have a representative to the Central Kennebec Heritage Council, and we've joined several statewide historical and genealogical organizations such as Maine Archives and Museums, the Maine Genealogical Society, the Arnold Expedition Historical Society, and the Maine Old Cemetery Association, of which member Cheryl Patten is President. Gerard serves as Vice Chairman of the Skowhegan Heritage Council, with plans in the works to hold a meeting every year at the Skowhegan History House. Annual meetings at the Margaret Chase Smith Library have been held for several years.
Such "crossroading," Gerard writes positions the museum to act as both a destination and information attraction along tourism, historic, and war expedition routes. If you think about it, Gerard points out, Norridgewock, with its long history as a settled community, is the spot! The Norridgewock Historical Society Museum is located in the former Female Academy on Mercer Road, Route 2, near the center of town. Visiting hours are Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information call 634-5032 or visit the Society's web site. Click any photo on this page to enlarge it!
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