Maysville Museum renovations near completion
Members and volunteers of Presque Isle Historical Society are gearing up for a late summer or early fall opening of the Maysville Museum. The once decrepit, fire-damaged building on the corner of the U.S. Route 1 and the Brewer Road is almost unrecognizable after months of renovations.
“This small building holds huge history”, said Board member Kim Smith. “At one time, Maysville was the town between Presque Isle and Caribou with the town-line basically along the railroad tracks by Clukey’s Auto Parts. The site itself served simultaneously as the Maysville Town Hall, the Maysville Centre School, and the Maysville Grange. In addition, Maysville played a key role in the Aroostook War (1838-39).”
In 2011, the group started raising funds to save the historic site rather than let the building collapse and go to ruin. In the last few months, momentum has really picked up with additional cash and in-kind donations from area businesses, philanthropic groups and individuals who had family history with the site through the grange.
The building has been lifted up and a new foundation poured, a new roof and all new windows installed, all previous fire damage removed or repaired, new sheetrock and electrical put in, a new concrete porch and steps added, and, currently underway, new hardi-plank siding being put on and painted.
The building will serve as the Society’s newest historical site adding to the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum; Molly the Trolley; numerous tours, exhibits and presentations; and the as-yet-to-be-renovated historic fire station.
The Maysville Museum will feature large exhibits on Presque Isle’s rural one-room schoolhouses, Presque Isle and the Civil War, The Aroostook War, and the area’s agricultural history. There will also be several other small exhibits.
Smith is extremely excited about this soon-to-be-a-reality project.
“I have waited, not so patiently sometimes, since 2011 to see this vision come to fruition. My hope is to bring a first class, quality museum to the area that will attract school field trips, residents and tourists alike. It will also be the base for our upcoming Living History Classes including birch bark moose call making, butter churning, candle making, lye soap making, oilcloth floor covering painting, paper making, rug braiding, and Victorian Christmas ornaments.”
“There are still some things left to do” stated Smith, “such as refinishing the hardwood floor, installing a tin ceiling and the light fixtures, and moving in the exhibits. We also have a tiny bit of fundraising left to do in order to add a heat pump, a handicapped ramp and ADA compliant restroom,” she said.
Anyone interested in donating time or money to the museum should contact Presque Isle Historical Society at (207) 762-1151 or pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com. Visit their website to learn more at www.pihistory.org.
“One of the real needs right now is to find area residents who are interested in volunteering a couple hours a week so the museum can have regular hours,” said Smith.
