Historical Society Minutes

Meeting date:

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

POLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
January 24, 2024
Minutes

Jack Rozos, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Our last meeting was held November 29, 2023.

Attendance in person (11) : Jack Rozos, Steve Verrill, Louise Roberts, Rose Aikman, Cyndi Robbins, Jim Fernald, Pat Moening, Scott Shepherd, Mary Jordan Shepherd, Edie Jordan, Sioux Barron.

Attendance on Zoom (5) : Laura Brown, Linda Goodwin, Nora Walker Cummings, David Andrews, Sherry Caves

Introductions were conducted.

Jack thanked Pat Moening for his many years of service to the PHS as President, Treasurer & Facebook Coordinator.

Jack thanked Cyndi Robbins & Laura Brown for inaugurating our first Zoom meeting.

Election of Officers was held. Steve Verrill reviewed the Bylaws for us. A slate of officers was submitted :

President : John "Jack" Rozos
Vice- President : James Fernald
Treasurer : Patrick Moening
Clerk : Laura Brown
Historian : Steven Verrill
Trustees (3) : Cyndi Robbins, David Andrews, David Tedford

Eight vacancies - eight candidates. Election of officers completed by a show of hands !

Historian's Report : Steve Verrill noted two deaths of Charter Members in 2023 : Fred Huntress, age 90, on November 16th and Mary Chipman, age 88, on December 24th. Steve reviewed the activities of the PHS in 2023. He will provide a copy of his report to the Clerk.

Treasurer's Report : Pat Moening reported that the balance in our checking account at Northeast Bank is $ 3,300+-

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Jack solicited volunteers to serve as coordinators for the various functions of the society.

1) Facebook Coordinator : Pat Moening will continue to maintain our Facebook page. Our members and the residents of Poland enjoy the pictures and items that are posted. Facebook provides the greatest exposure for our programs, events and the overall history of Poland.

2) Publicity Coordinator : Dave Andrews agreed to prepare and issue Press Releases to local media about our meetings, events and programs. Laura Brown has a list of media contacts and will share it with Dave.

3) Education Coordinator : Sioux Barron has stepped forward to explore ways to connect the PHS with our students and the school district. What programs can we offer at the Schoolhouse Museum that will interest students in the 3rd and 5th grades ? Jack has reached out to Sean Galipeau-Eldridge regarding a school event, History Day (February 13th). Jack & Sioux will meet to create a plan of action from ideas submitted by the Membership. Our goal is to have something in motion by the beginning of the school year in September 2024. Cyndi suggested contact with the Tri-County Optimist Club.

4) Program Coordinator : Jack will reach out to David Tedford and others to create a list of Programs, Tours and Events for 2024. If you have any suggestions or contacts, please let him know.

5) Hospitality Coordinator : The coordinator will reach out to members for refreshments at our meetings and events. The kitchen at the Schoolhouse Museum is rarely used. (Perhaps a Potluck Meal can be coordinated with one of our in-house Programs this year)

DUES : Dues have not been collected throughout the "Covid Years". The Membership voted to renew the collection of Annual Dues in 2024. A "Dues Reminder" email will be sent to members by Treasurer, Pat Moening. If you are a Lifetime Member and the email reaches you, please excuse the error.

PROGRAMS FOR 2024

1) Excelsior Grange - Steve Verrill was asked to consider a presentation on Excelsior Grange #5, Maine's oldest Grange (founded 1874). The Grange Hall, located at 446 Harris Hill Road, was built in 1914 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Steve announced that 2024 marks the 150th Anniversary of Excelsior Grange. The Grange is holding an event on Saturday, March 16th. ***PHS members are invited to visit the Grange Hall at Noon for a light lunch, followed by a presentation by Grange members*** The 150th Anniversary Fair will be held in July (no date at this time).

2) Shakers in Poland - Jack & Cyndi will reach out to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village and ask them to consider a presentation in May to be held either at the 1794 Shaker Meetinghouse or at our Schoolhouse Museum. The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village opens to the public on Memorial Day (May 27, 2024).

3) Fernald, Keene & True Company - Jim Fernald was asked to consider a presentation on the canning company. (Bert Fernald, former Maine Governor 1909-1911 and US Senator 1916-1926 was a partner in this company. He was elected as President of the National Canners Association in 1910).

4) Schoolhouses of Poland - Rose Aikman was asked to consider a presentation on the schoolhouses of Poland (which included the area of Mechanic Falls until its incorporation in 1893). She has done considerable research on this subject.

5) Memory Lane - Louise Roberts was asked to consider a panel discussion of "days gone by" along with others. She will reach out to some long-time residents of Poland who are able to participate in this informal gathering at the Schoolhouse Museum. (Perhaps, we can hold a Potluck Dinner that evening and "break bread together").

6) Schoolhouse Museum - Cyndi asked how well-versed are we to guide visitors through our Museum. She suggests that members become familiar with our collection and be better able to host visitors. A one-hour walk-through should be sufficient, but prep work is needed in advance. Someone suggested that a video tour could be created. If you are very familiar with our exhibits, please step forward and we can begin the planning process.

Other ideas for Programs include : War Veterans of Poland; Summit Spring Hotel & Golf Course.

(Note to Laura & Cyndi - Would you consider a Program related to the Poland Spring Hotel, the Maine State Building, All Souls Chapel or some related event to our members ? Not all PHS members are members of PSPS and vice versa. Perhaps a Field Trip is possible ?)

EVENTS FOR 2024

1) Winterfest - Saturday, February 10, 2024
Poland will host a day of outdoor activities of sledding & ice skating, with vendors and bonfires. The Schoolhouse Museum will be open from 11am-3pm for visitors. *** Volunteers are needed *** Jack will open the building at 10:30 and can stay until 1:00. Please write or call him with your availability. (jsrozos@aol.com or # 998-5268)

2) Heritage Day - Saturday, September 28, 2024
We will discuss at a future meeting whether to hold an Open House that day or set up a display table at the Poland Spring Resort location.

3) Christmas in Poland
It's a long ways off ... so let's enjoy Spring, Summer & Fall first !!

TOURS / FIELD TRIPS

1) Agassiz Village - The Camp, on Thompson Lake, was established in 1935 and originally served boys who worked as newsboys, bootblacks and other street vendors. (Jack has reached out & has secured an invitation to tour the grounds on a Saturday in mid-June.)

2) Advent Christian Camp - The Camp was established in 1889, when it was in the Town of Poland. It is located on Route in what is now the Town of Mechanic Falls. Jack has contact information and will follow-up.

2a) Jim Fernald suggested that we explore Empire Grove Campmeeting grounds on the Empire Road in East Poland. They were established in 1834. Jack now has contact information and will make calls to secure an invitation and make arrangements to view the property and learn of its 190 year history.

3) Cemetery Tour - PHS has sponsored tours of Highland Cemetery & Summit Spring Cemetery in past years. There are at least 16 cemeteries in the Town of Poland, big and small. A Fall Cemetery Tour is always well attended. If anyone has familiarity with a certain cemetery, please contact Jack at 998-5268 and we'll begin the planning process.

4) Androscoggin County Historical Society Museum - The Society was founded in 1923 and 100 years later has opened up a museum at 93 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. They hope to have all renovations and displays completed by Summer 2024. Jack has reached out to them to coordinate some program or event.

OTHER

Sherry Caves lives in Wisconsin and visits our area each summer. She reported on her genealogical research in Poland and the murder of her ancestor, Mary Cummings Bryant, in 1860 in the Town of Woodstock. She is very familiar with Highland Cemetery, too. Jack will reach out to her to get more information on her "Poland connection".

The meeting concluded at 7:30pm.

****Saturday, February 10th - We are looking for volunteers to staff the Museum from 11am-3pm during Winterfest 2024.
****Saturday, March 16th - A program on Excelsior Grange #5 from 12Noon-2pm will be held at the Grange Hall, 446 Harris Hill Road, Poland.

An in-house program/business meeting will be held sometime in mid-April. We will move forward with programs, events and tours to generate interest in our Town's history. A schedule will be announced soon.

Should anyone need to contact the PHS, please share Jack's email and phone number.
jsrozos@aol.com (207) 998-5268

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