HOULTON, Maine — Sixteen Bowdoin College freshmen, along with four upperclassmen gathered at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum this past week. Following a presentation on the mission and history of the agricultural museum, the students toured the facility and grounds.
The students then went on to set up their lodging facilities at Wild Pines Campground in Monticello where they stayed for three nights. On Thursday morning they split up into two groups, one of them returning to do volunteer work at the museum while the other group went to work at the Presque Isle High School Agricultural Farm.
Freshmen students along with their faculty adviser, Dr. Allen Delong formerly of Monticello, have been making the trek from Brunswick to Aroostook County for the last 10 years. The trip is part of the freshmen orientation program involving community service and enables students who hail from across the United States and foreign countries to experience another part of Maine from their immediate campus life.
On Friday both groups volunteered at Catholic Charities. Each day following their morning work, the students explored the local region and learned more about life in Aroostook County. They experienced basket-making with Richard Silliboy, a tour of the Mars Hill Wind Farm, local farms, ice cream treats at Houlton Farms Dairy Bars and the Balloon Festival held in Presque Isle.
Before leaving for their college move-in day the students reflected on their experiences here in the area: Railey Zantop-Zimlinghows of Denver: “Helping at the museum has been awesome. It’s fascinating to learn about all of the objects and the stories behind them. It’s a unique experience.”
Shu Shu Hsia of Pleasanton, La.:“I love seeing how much you all care about the museum and how deeply personal your connections are to the whole town.”
Monique Lillis of Eliot: “This museum is so thorough and well put together. It is clear how much the volunteers and community care about the museum and all the history it holds. Thank you so much for showing us everything held here. This was an amazing experience.”
Eve Allen of Charlottesville, Va:, “So much dusting! Thanks for showing us around and giving us time to check out all this history.”
Nevan Swanson of Sherman, Conn.: “I loved hearing about all the stories and memories that this museum preserves. Thank you for the important work that you do.”
Yuri Watanabe of Japan: “Thank you for having us! I had a great time helping out and seeing the museum.”
Jeff Joseph of Lake Worth, Fla.: “I really liked it up here. I have never been at an agricultural museum before, but this is such a wonderful experience, I might like to do it again.”
Robert Caputo of Acton, Mass.: “I liked the small town culture and attitude of the museum. The people were all really nice and passionate. I hope to visit again sometime.”
Alec Ferguson-Hull of West Hartford, Conn.: “The amount of little treasures that have been amassed here is astounding. Simply the fact that the locals chose to donate all these items rather than sell them is a testament to their dedication to preserving the past. This was truly a worthwhile experience!”
Rosa Rossi-Goldthrope of Berkley, Cal.: “I absolutely loved the museum tour; all the artifacts were super cool and unique. It was great to help out in the kitchen. I loved your town, it is beautiful.”
Museum volunteers who assisted the students included: President Francis Fitzpatrick, Joe Inman, Nancy Wright, Helen Hagan, Rae Johnston, George Smith and Evelyn Delong.
Upcoming events at the museum include a special Farm Day sponsored by the Cooperative-Extension Service on Saturday, Sept. 12, and a public supper on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 4:30 p.m. until 6. Summer tours will continue until Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. until 4 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. After that by appointment only. Call 538-0050 or 694-6099.
