Westport Island
Maine
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Guilford Historical Society
History
The Guilford Historical Society was founded in 1983 by a small group of interested people. The building that houses the museum was purchased in 1986. It was built in 1825 by Addison Martin, Guilford's first merchant and was formerly used as a bank and the office of Straw & Martin Insurance Co. The first floor of the building is used as a museum and was remodeled during a massive renovation project in 1997-98.
Items at the historical building have either been loaned or donated.
The files include a listing of all the names of people buried in the area cemeteries with dates of birth and death as compiled by Francis Prescott. The listing currently needs updating.
The former Guilford Register newspapers from 1909-1945 have been put on microfilm and are available to anyone needing to do research.
A non-profit organization, the Society operates on money donated by the Town of Guilford, members, friends and by Society fund-raisers.
2006-07 Fund-Raisers
The latest fund-raiser is the Society's new book published in October 2004 entitled "A Short Pictorial History of Guilford, Maine, 1860 to 1960". The book is 8 1/2" x 11" and is made up of a total of over 200 fully captioned pictures on 134 pages plus index covering the period mentioned in the title. The book gives a nice overall view of what Guilford looked like over the years. It is soft cover, spiral bound, and available for $18.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling if mailed. Anyone interested may purchase the book at the Hudson Avenue Florist Shop, Hudson Ave., Guilford or by calling 876-4501.
Another recently published book available is the updated history of Guilford called "Guilford 2000" by Thomas Blake and Carl McKusick. It brings the town's history up to the year 2000 and sells for $18.00 a copy (plus $2.00 for postage and handling if mailed).
Two years ago, the Society made available the Guilford afghan. It is 50" x 70", two-layers, Jacquard woven in the USA, preshrunk, color fast and machine washable and dryable. The design is meant to capture the history and spirit of Guilford in the depiction of past and present buildings plus the original Low's Bridge (a covered bridge that spans the Piscataquis River named after the first settler). The afghan is a perfect gift for family members and friends both near and far. Available in hunter green or blue-black with natural as a second color, the price is $39.95 plus $10.40 if the buyer wishes it mailed.
Every year, the Society has a historic calendar featuring pictures of Guilford in the past. There are still some 2004 calendars available at a discount price of $3.00 each. The 2005 calendars sell for $4.00 each (add $1.00 if it is to be mailed).
Other history books, note paper, and a variety of magnets featuring old buildings in Guilford are also on sale. Magnets are $2.50 each.
Anyone interested in purchasing any of the above items may send orders to:
A Harvest Fair is held in October at the museum and a yard sale is planned every June to raise money for the museum!
Other Information
Dues: are $10 per year (due and payable in June) and includes a subscription to the newsletter which is published every May and November.
Meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from March through November.
The Society recesses from December to March.
The museum is open by appointment during winter recess or at other times of the year when not open to the public.
Anyone having questions on the Society or Guilford history may e-mail inquires to: [email protected]
The Guilford Historical Society was founded in 1983 by a small group of interested people. The building that houses the museum was purchased in 1986. It was built in 1825 by Addison Martin, Guilford's first merchant and was formerly used as a bank and the office of Straw & Martin Insurance Co. The first floor of the building is used as a museum and was remodeled during a massive renovation project in 1997-98.
Items at the historical building have either been loaned or donated.
The files include a listing of all the names of people buried in the area cemeteries with dates of birth and death as compiled by Francis Prescott. The listing currently needs updating.
The former Guilford Register newspapers from 1909-1945 have been put on microfilm and are available to anyone needing to do research.
A non-profit organization, the Society operates on money donated by the Town of Guilford, members, friends and by Society fund-raisers.
2006-07 Fund-Raisers
The latest fund-raiser is the Society's new book published in October 2004 entitled "A Short Pictorial History of Guilford, Maine, 1860 to 1960". The book is 8 1/2" x 11" and is made up of a total of over 200 fully captioned pictures on 134 pages plus index covering the period mentioned in the title. The book gives a nice overall view of what Guilford looked like over the years. It is soft cover, spiral bound, and available for $18.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling if mailed. Anyone interested may purchase the book at the Hudson Avenue Florist Shop, Hudson Ave., Guilford or by calling 876-4501.
Another recently published book available is the updated history of Guilford called "Guilford 2000" by Thomas Blake and Carl McKusick. It brings the town's history up to the year 2000 and sells for $18.00 a copy (plus $2.00 for postage and handling if mailed).
Two years ago, the Society made available the Guilford afghan. It is 50" x 70", two-layers, Jacquard woven in the USA, preshrunk, color fast and machine washable and dryable. The design is meant to capture the history and spirit of Guilford in the depiction of past and present buildings plus the original Low's Bridge (a covered bridge that spans the Piscataquis River named after the first settler). The afghan is a perfect gift for family members and friends both near and far. Available in hunter green or blue-black with natural as a second color, the price is $39.95 plus $10.40 if the buyer wishes it mailed.
Every year, the Society has a historic calendar featuring pictures of Guilford in the past. There are still some 2004 calendars available at a discount price of $3.00 each. The 2005 calendars sell for $4.00 each (add $1.00 if it is to be mailed).
Other history books, note paper, and a variety of magnets featuring old buildings in Guilford are also on sale. Magnets are $2.50 each.
Anyone interested in purchasing any of the above items may send orders to:
A Harvest Fair is held in October at the museum and a yard sale is planned every June to raise money for the museum!
Other Information
Dues: are $10 per year (due and payable in June) and includes a subscription to the newsletter which is published every May and November.
Meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from March through November.
The Society recesses from December to March.
The museum is open by appointment during winter recess or at other times of the year when not open to the public.
Anyone having questions on the Society or Guilford history may e-mail inquires to: [email protected]