PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Historical Society recently held its first-ever Roosevelt Day at the Maysville Museum, along with a book signing and talk by author Andrew Vietze.
Society Board President Craig Green said, “Our first Roosevelt event was truly a success as over half of the attendees were first-time visitors to our Maysville Museum. Providing an exceptional experience for people coming to our area is an integral part of our mission. This event definitely embodied that.”
Vietze, award-winning author of 12 books including “Becoming Teddy Roosevelt,” said it was the best signing and sale he has had of any of his book events to date. The author gave a short talk on his writing and why he felt compelled to write about Teddy Roosevelt and debuted his new book “White Pine” to the group as well.
The Society showcased its Roosevelt exhibit consisting of a long-barrel Colt revolver, a birch bark moose call and a red velvet framed mirror adorned with buffalo horns. The artifacts were donated to the Society several years ago by a descendant of one of the Maine Guides hired by Roosevelt when he first came to Maine to hunt in 1878.
Society board members volunteered at the event, along four University of Maine at Presque Isle students who are part of the newly established History Club on campus.
UMPI student and founder of the History Club, Evan Zarkadas, stated, “The Teddy Roosevelt event hosted by Presque Isle Historical Society was a great way of celebrating the birthday of a great man. The museum atmosphere and the information I got from the event made me see Roosevelt in a different way and is an example that history is always alive and in places where you don’t expect it to be. Being able to attend events like this one is a great privilege and honor for all history students like myself.”
The Maysville Museum opened in July of this year in the newly renovated building at 165 Caribou Road on the corner of Route 1 and the Brewer Road. The museum is presently only open seasonally until the addition of an ADA-compliant restroom is completed, for which the society is raising funds.
The site had formerly served simultaneously as the Maysville Town Hall, the Maysville Grange and the Maysville School.
“From July 1 through Oct. 27, the museum had 414 visitors sign in to the guest log – and we know not everyone signed in,” said society secretary/treasurer Kim Smith.
“These visitors came from 16 states and the province of Alberta, Canada. We attribute the success of the museum’s first season to many things: great visibility due to its location along US Route 1; being open six days of the week; hosting unique and interesting events such as Roosevelt Day at the Museum; having a professional museum atmosphere; and having interesting, interactive exhibits. The Society couldn’t be more pleased in how this small museum has allowed us to fulfill our mission in a new and exciting way.”
The Roosevelt event was the final event for 2017. The museum will re-open in April 2018 for its next season and with a brand new interactive exhibit, “Talking Wires: The impact of the Telephone Switchboard (and the telephone) on rural, northern Maine”.
For more information, call (207) 762-1151, email pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com, or visit them on the web at www.pihistory.org.
