The descendants of J. Wingate Haines and Mary Briggs will hold a momentous gathering this summer in Fort Fairfield.
Cousins from across the country will convene on Saturday, July 27, for a day filled with connection, exploration and the celebration of a rich family heritage.
The event honors the enduring legacy of J. Wingate Haines, a pioneering figure who, alongside his wife Mary Briggs, left an indelible mark on the community of Fort Fairfield and Aroostook County.
Highlights of the day include the following locations and presentations.
VFW Hall
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Visitors may drop in anytime. Cousin Ann Cushman will be available to discuss membership in the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution and eligibility for the Mayflower Society.
5:30 pm: Buffet supper for pre-paid participants. After-supper presentations will include thanks and updates as well as a presentation on J. Wingate Haines and Mary Briggs and their accomplishments.
Friends Church Museum
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The museum will be open for visiting.
11 a.m.: Special presentation by Steve Curwood, a practicing Quaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and host of NPR’s “Living on Earth” show, on Quaker life and history. Curwood is married to a Haines descendant, Jennifer Stevens Curwood, and both are on the rolls of the Quaker Meeting in Dover, New Hampshire.
Haines Maple Grove Cemetery
1 p.m.: Special presentation by Kim Sebold, PhD, professor of history at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Sebold will give an overview of the cemetery, including descriptions of historical research, especially on Civil War veterans.
There will also be a flower garden tour at Eric and Margie Hunter’s home, 44 Maple Grove Rd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gardens were originally created by Cora Haines Houghton in 1904. For more detailed information and updates on the festivities, visit the family website, jwingatehaines.com, or contact Rommy Haines at 207-227-5489 or Rommyhaines@gmail.com.
