PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Dignitaries, historians and citizens were on hand Sunday for a celebration at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s library marking the 175th anniversary of Aroostook County’s incorporation, which included the opening of a time capsule, several speakers and a special visit by Sen. Susan Collins.
John Martin, on behalf of the Friends of the Aroostook County Historical Center, served as emcee, with Dr. Linda Schott, UMPI’s president, offering greetings from the university.
“When I first arrived at UMPI, Kim Sebold (history professor at UMPI) loaned me historical novels from the Revolutionary War era. Those novels gave me a feeling of what life was like here for early settlers and why we come from such hardy stock. We’ve (the university) worked to preserve the history of the region and created a time capsule, spearheading the 125th anniversary,” said Schott, noting the university staff “didn’t do it by themselves” but rather through collaboration with area historical societies, government agencies and others who’ve helped “keep our history.”
Next to speak was JoAnne Wallingford, UMPI’s library director. Wallingford noted all the changes that have occurred in the past quarter century, including major improvements to the worldwide web and technology.
“Libraries are places where people come to gain access to information and solve problems — and now they’re asked to catalog big data and come up with a strategy to access information worldwide. The possibilities are endless. Twenty-five years from now it will be interesting to see what libraries will look like,” said Wallingford.
Earle Shettleworth, Maine state historian, followed, recalling his first memory of visiting Aroostook as a participant in a Wellspring program, when he spent five days speaking at seven different events in the region. While here, he stayed at UMPI. He then provided a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos of Aroostook up to 100 years ago from various communities, including: Houlton, Mars Hill, Caribou, Presque Isle, Van Buren, Island Falls, Eagle Lake and Monticello.
Shuttleworth took the audience through The County in his pictorial history of the past century, from the Snell House in Market Square and President Taft’s visit to Houlton, the 1902 purchase of property by the city of Presque Isle for what now is the site of the University of Maine at Presque Isle to construction infrastructure such as the iron bridge in Caribou and shipping upgrades brought about by improvements to the rail system.
He said it was important to note the agricultural history of the region.
“Potatoes weren’t the only things grown in the early 1900s. There were wheat fields in Washburn, lumber mills in Monticello. This was also the time when hunting and fishing — the sporting aspect — evolved. Moose and deer were often subjects of early postcards,” he said.
He said none of these developments would have been possible without the citizens of Aroostook.
“One of the most important things to remember these past 175 years is the people themselves — their integrity, hard work, reliability and honesty,” said Shuttleworth.
As he concluded his presentation, Shuttleworth noted he too would be contributing toward the time capsule.
“I am donating my copy of the 1948 Star-Herald — the year I was born — for inclusion in the time capsule,” said Shuttlesworth.
Martin introduced Sen. Collins as the special guest speaker, noting when organizers were planning the event, they sought a guest speaker with long family ties to The County and decided Collins would be perfect for the occasion, since her family’s business, S.W. Collins Co., has been in operation for the past century.
“In preparing for today, one thought came to mind: Aroostook’s the largest county east of the Mississippi River, yet we’re all neighbors. We work hard and work together,” said Collins.
She said although some things have changed in the past 25 years, people of the region’s optimism has stayed the same.
“Strength, determination and hard work epitomize the people of The County,” she said.
Collins said while no one could predict the loss of Loring Air Force Base, one of the area’s major employers, County residents chose to look to the future and ways to improve the economy.
She noted Aroostook is also ripe with renewable resources.
“These advancements and so many other things couldn’t be seen 25 years ago. But they’re part of The County. Nothing symbolizes Aroostook more that the potato barrel, which represents both the potato and forestry industry,” said Collins.
Collins then read a statement on the history of Aroostook County she read into the Congressional record, which was placed in the time capsule.
“That’s a repository of every word spoken on the Senate floor. This ensures the history of Aroostook County will be preserved as part of the nation’s history,” said Collins.
Collins said in 25 years “we’ll be surprised at the progress we’ve made.”
Festivities continued with the opening of the potato barrel time capsule by Collins; Bradley Wilson, who was born on the County’s Sesquicentennial in 1989; and Anna McGrath and Nancy Roe, members of the Friends of Aroostook County Historical Society. Items were removed and put on display for public viewing, then returned to the barrel — with new items added.
An intermission followed, with participants enjoying refreshments and entertainment provided by local musicians Larry Parks, Cathy Cowett, Bruce Wilkins and Amy Wilkins.
UMPI Professor Ray Rice presented a reading “Up Where Aroostook Begins,” the audience joined Gretchen Brissette and Judy Roe in singing “The Aroostook County Song,” and state Rep. Robert Saucier read a legislative sentiment that was later added to the time capsule.
The event concluded with several individuals placing items into the time capsule. One of the most notable items was Wallingford’s contribution of an electronic tablet with current data — a major technological advancement over the VCR tape placed in the barrel 25 years ago, which included scenes from the 150th celebration. County Commissioner Norman Fournier had the honor of closing the time capsule.
The capsule will be stored at UMPI until its next reopening on March 16, 2039, which will mark Aroostook’s 200th anniversary.
