President’s annual report to the Town of Otisfield, covering 2016. Submitted by Shirley J. Hamilton, President.
This historical report describes the society’s work during 2016 and plans for the following year. Membership appeals, officers, schedules, and contact details reflect that time. For current information, see events, visit the archives, or support the society.
Preserving the Town House
The Otisfield Historical Society had a busy and productive 2016. This year we finally completed our “parchment” list of all the generous donors who made possible the extensive renovations to the Old Town House, including a full basement and archives room.
Membership is our most important asset; please plan to join by paying your membership dues of $10.00, or family $15. You may do so by returning the envelope enclosed in our Newsletter, sending a check directly to Treasurer Polly Bartow, 11 Jessie Lane, Biddeford, ME 04005, or by accessing our web page and following directions there: otisfield.org.
The Grant Writing Committee is energetically seeking funding for painting the building and repairing the windows and making new screens.
Our Building Use Committee is drafting a Use Policy which will be ready soon. Some information from the draft use policy is that the building may be used at “no charge” by Otisfield residents and non-profit groups. There will be a deposit required to reserve the building, which will be returned if no damage is done. Shirley Hamilton, OHS President, will be the contact person to reserve the building.
Archives and online collections
We now have a searchable electronic catalogue of all items and documents which can be either accessed through the web page or at the Town House. We added many new items during the past year; these have been cataloged and archived. Folks continue to use the archive from far and wide which keeps our archivist busy. We had visitors from several different states. Some came to donate Otisfield-related documents, do research or look at old maps. Our OHS website continues to expand as Jessica and Derek Dorr upload more information. We had over 1,000 visitors from many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and as far away as Russia. Please go to otisfield.org to see what’s new.
Sharing our history
OHS continues to expand its social media presence. Remember to find and like our Facebook page at Facebook, to keep up with our latest events. In addition you can subscribe to our Youtube videos so you will get an email telling you when a new video has been added. We presently have 28 videos and more will be posted throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram. Check it out.
Programs and fundraising in 2016
As reported at the time.
- April 21, Ed Somers talked about old tools, and many brought tools to share their uniqueness with us.
- June 16, Great Oaks Camp, Looking Back
- July 3, 4:30-6:30PM our annual fund raiser with strawberry shortcake in tandem with the Bell Meeting House concert on the hill that same evening. We raised $580 last year.
- September 15, The Town Pound, Past and Future.
- November 17, Mary Pride Knight: The Diaries and the Person.
- November 29, 2016 # Giving Tuesday. We raised $215.00 this past year.
Plans for 2017
As reported at the time.
Programs for 2017 are as follows: All are welcome to our programs which start @ 7:00PM unless otherwise noted.
- April 21, Pat Shearman, Registry of Deeds, Oxford, “Online Research in Oxford County Records?”
- June 22, “What’s in Those Boxes?” a hands on look of items in our Archives.
- July 9, Strawberry Festival 4:30-6:30PM in tandem with Bell Meeting House concert on the hill.
- September 21, “William (Bill) Spurr: The Historian and Town Character”
- November 16, A New Look at the Otisfield Poor, 1798-1924
- November 28, 2017 is #Giving Tuesday, it is a great way to donate from your comfortable home. We plan to work on another fund raiser in 2017.
Visit and support the archives
From May until November, someone will be present at the Town House every Wednesday afternoon, 2:00-4:00 to aid anyone who wants to do historical research in our archives. We are looking for a person to assist in the archives and work with our present archivist. No experience or degree needed except for a willingness to learn and a love of history. If interested, please contact Shirley Hamilton at 627-4458 or Jean Hankins, 539-2521.
We encourage you to join the society and enjoy this wonderful building you have helped restore.
We appreciate your generosity. Thank you.
Shirley J. Hamilton, President
Filed under April 2017, the society’s reporting month for the prior year. The exact submission day is not recorded.