Bethel Historical Society

BETHEL — Fortunately for the Bethel Historical Society, as well as the community in general, Stan Howe’s recent retirement doesn’t mean he’s leaving the Historical Society.

On the contrary, he plans to volunteer on a regular basis, and thanks to the receipt by BHS of grants from The Betterment Fund, The Bingham Foundation and The Bingham Trust, he’ll continue to work on a biography of William Bingham 2nd as a Society-sponsored project.

Contributions to the Society’s Annual Fund continue to arrive on a daily basis, for which the organization is deeply grateful.

Such gifts make up over one-third of the Historical Society’s operating income, allowing the small staff and many dedicated volunteers to maintain daily operations and to offer programs and exhibits that make this region's history meaningful, accessible, and enjoyable for thousands of adults and school-age children.

Any new and increased donations (dated 2012) will be matched by the organization’s Board of Trustees up to a total of $5,000. For those who would still like to contribute to the Fund, checks may be mailed to the Society at P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

This year marks the bicentenary of the Society's Mason House, which was begun in 1813 and renovated and restored by the William Bingham II Trust for Charity in 1972-73.

On July 2, they'll celebrate this milestone with a program entitled "200 Years a Landmark!"

A highlight of this event will be the unveiling of a professionally designed scale model of the Dr. Moses Mason House - the oldest structure at Bethel Hill village - created by BHS member James Auman of Warren, New Jersey, and Norway.

The next issue of “The Courier,” the Society’s history journal, will be printed and mailed out soon.

The feature article has been written by Dr. William B. Krohn, retired wildlife scientist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Maine in Orono. Entitled “Capt. Charles A. J. Farrar - Wilderness Writer and Adventure Provider,” the piece is based on a talk given at the Society by the author on October 13, 2012.

For more information, contact the Society at 824-2908 or 800-824-2910 or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.