PATTEN, Maine – Patten Historical Society organizers decided to revive a legendary town auction to raise funds for the treasured 1845 Regular Baptist Church, now known as the Patten Cultural Center.
The Sunday, Aug. 11 event features a long list of items that will be auctioned.
The town auction tradition began about 20 or so years ago, long before Pioneer Days were established, said Ron Blum, a member of the Patten Historical Society Preservation Committee.
Each summer, the Patten Methodist Church held an auction that drew people from many parts of the state and raised thousands for the church, he said.
“We at the Historical Society thought it would be fun to revive the tradition and raise some funds to support the newly dubbed Cultural Center,” Blum said. “It raised about four or five thousand each year.”
The Cultural Center is located in the church built by the town’s founders that was saved from demolition by a town vote last year. Since that time, the preservation committee has raised funds as part of their restoration initiative.
A “Raise The Roof” project became Phase One of the committee’s preservation plan and the Patten Historical Society and the Preservation Committee raised the needed $30,000 to replace the entire roof.
“We have held many fundraisers, which were a huge success, and many people who believe in our cause, were very generous with donations and support,” said Marcia Pond, the Patten resident who initiated the Save the Church campaign.
The Cultural Center has come a long way in a year. The building has been open for public events, which included tours of the structure, music jams, historical presentations, poetry readings, story telling, educational programs, even a dancing in the dark dance on the Total Eclipse weekend in April.
“The response has been very encouraging for our project and the events drew people from the community, surrounding areas, and Canada,” Pond said.
Auction organizers have been collecting auction items for months and the list has something for just about everyone.
Blum said there are all sorts of tools, surveyors gear, a canoe, cabinets, antiques, furniture, kids car seats, about a half dozen bikes, garden supplies, art items, a planer, a generator, exercise equipment like a treadmill and Nordictrack and much more.
The auction will be held at the Gardiner Homestead/Museum, 38 Main Street, Patten.
A loaned canopy will provide protection from sun or rain, said Blum, adding that item inspection begins at 11 a.m. and bidding kicks off at noon.
Volunteer auctioneers include Chris Drew, past chief Baxter State Park Ranger, Kevin Mooney, and Blum.
“We will also have a Sale Table of smaller items and will be selling hot dogs, chips and drinks,” Blum said. “There are also raffle opportunities for a hand-made quilt and a new adult bike.”
