Four History Walks of Kents Hill village and School ~ #66 - # 69 in 2024

 

HISTORY WALK #62 ~ VETERANS' DAY, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2022

An event honoring all Veterans will be held in Readfield on Friday, Nov. 11^th planned by members of Readfield’s Historical Society, Select Board, United Methodist Church and the 3^rd Maine Infantry Civil War re-enactors. All are welcome to join in for this special remembrance and honoring of those who have served or currently serve in the U.S. Armed Services.

Participants should gather at the Readfield Corner Cemetery, Church Road by 10 a.m. for a special remembrance of some Veterans whose memorials and graves are there. From the cemetery the 3^rd Maine will lead the way to Asa Gile Hall, 8 Old Kents Hill Road, for a closing ceremony at 11 a.m. in honor of all Veterans. All are invited to march along or those who are not able to walk that far can follow in their vehicles. The 3^rd Maine will do two musket volleys along the way, at the cemetery and outside Gile Hall. 

Following the ceremony free bag lunches will be distributed at Gile Hall, by members of the Readfield United Methodist Church.  

To begin, at Readfield Corner Cemetery, parking is available at the Old Fairgrounds parking lot or in the north end of the cemetery. Please invite and / or bring Veterans you know. FMI contact 441-9184 or crossings4u@gmail.com.  

HISTORY WALK # 61 ~ READFIELD DEPOT VILLAGE

Readfield Depot Village from days gone by was the topic for our history walk on Sat, August 13th during Readfield Heritage Days weekend. Thank you to all who attended and had stories and info to share.

Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2021 ~ history Walk #60

 

History Walk #59 to include unveiling of SIX historic signs

On Saturday, August 14th, during Readfield Heritage Days six historic site markers will be unveiled. Folks can either walk along with Dale Potter-Clark as each unveiling is done, or attend those of particular interest:

1. 9:00 a.m. Readfield Community Library at their book sale at the Readfield Fire Department.

2. 10:00 a.m. Union Meeting House, 22 Church Road. Meet inside the meeting house for this unveiling.

3. 11:00 a.m. Old Fairgrounds , Church Road. Four signs will be unveiled here. Three in the parking lot and one on the “Upper Fair-grounds Trail”. These signs will cover the time span 1812-2021; from 1812 when militia musters were first held; to the Kennebec County Agricultural Fair; and the Readfield Grange Fair to and through the evolution to what is there today.

4. 11:30 a.m. the sign at Upper Fairgrounds Trail will include information about the race track where sulky races, horse and oxen pullings and other events were held. An oxen pulling demonstration will be held then also, with some of the original pulling stones, to an area prepared for a special display.

The pulling stone event is made possible by a 
Maine Bicentennial Grant from the Maine Arts Commission.

FIRST HISTORIC SITE MARKER DEDICATED ~ JUNE 11, 2021

We dedicated the first "History Walks Series" historical site marker on June 11, 2021. More will be appearing in and around Readfield Corner this summer. Stay tuned for where and when...

The sign pictured here will be displayed on the Masonic Block at Readfield Corner. The photos and narrative includes the history of Masonic Lodge #48 which was established at Readfield Corner in 1826; and the devastating fire that destroyed most of Readfield Corner on June 11, 1921. The sign was sponsored in memory of Thomas Adell, by some of his family members, friends and members of the Masonic Lodge. (Andy Tolman photo)

In the photo L to R: Dale Potter-Clark, Bill Adams, Ed Dodge and standing below on the right is John Lord. Ed and John are Masons who worked with Dale to plan and implement the History Walk and sign dedication. Bill co-led the walk with Dale.

History Walks coming later this summer and fall (2021)

Thank you to all who attended #57 history walk on May 21st in East Readfield (pictured at left) and #58 on June 11th at Readfield Corner. Together, the two walks were attended by 80+ people, several came from out of town - some even made a special trip from out of State. About a quarter of them had never been to a history walk before.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for two dates (below) that have already been set for later this year. Dates will be announced for additional walks to be held this summer and fall as plans are set.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th Starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Readfield Community Library book sale (at Readfield Fire Department) Readfield Corner when a historic site marker will be dedicated, for the Library. Others in and around Readfield Corner will be dedicated following the Library sign rounding out this event at 1:00 p.m.  at the Old Fairgrounds! Stay tuned for more details about the schedule for the dedication of six new historic site markers at various sites that will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This is Readfield Heritage Days weekend so lots of other activities will be held on Friday and Saturday, including the Readfield Historical Society Wine N Cheese Friday, Aug. 13th. Stay tuned for times and details on other Heritage Days events.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11th 10 a.m.-12 noon for a Veterans' Day "march" in honor of our Veterans. Free lunch will be provided by the Readfield United Methodist Church, Kents Hill afterwards. Stay tuned for more details.

Details for additional 2021 history walks will be announced at a later date.