By Paula Brewer
Staff Writer
Olof Nylander, Joe Sleeper Sr. and Olaf P. Pierson are among the local historical personalities celebrated in new literature at the Caribou Historical Center and Museum.
Officials recently announced the addition of several literary items to their collection, focusing on the history of Caribou and the people who helped make it what it is today.
“Some are reincarnations of old brochures that have been redone, so they’re all similar in design,” said Dennis Harris of the Caribou Historical Society. “Others have resulted from excerpts from our ‘Gleanings’ books that have been available for a long time.
“We’ve done some things on some of the early history, like the Hardisons, Vaughans, Collins and the lands they owned in the town,” Harris explained. “Others are more general interest; the one-room schools, for example. I think there are now four different brochures on early schools and education.”
Other topics include an antique plow from the Green Ridge Grange, a “portable” sawmill and a map of the Harriet Cousins Nature Trail, located in back of the museum grounds.
“We have 52 brochures and counting,” Harris said. “They’re on different topics about Caribou’s history, and they’re done up to be just a quick thing somebody can grab on a topic they’re interested in, and take with them when they visit. And they’re free,” he added.
Among the museum’s latest offerings are:
• Two pamphlets featuring Olof Nylander. The city’s famous Swedish-born immigrant had a somewhat roundabout journey as a self-taught naturalist and expert in local flora and fauna. Learn how his extensive specimen collections became the foundation for the Nylander Museum.
• “Sleeper’s,” which tells the story of the first Joe Sleeper and the history of Sleeper’s Market. Read how the Lebanese immigrant began peddling wares through the area’s farming communities with a backpack, eventually opening the first Sleeper’s store in 1914.
• The story of Olaf P. Pierson, the inventor of the frozen french fry. Pierson patented the process and sold the first frozen french fries from Caribou’s Birds Eye plant, later going on to design the first McCain french fry plant in Florenceville, N.B. Check out the literature for more on his inventions and life journey.
• “The Vaughan House and One Vaughan Place,” which details the original Vaughan House buildings and fires, and the metamorphosis into One Vaughan Place.
Additionally, a three-brochure series will soon be available featuring a chronological history of the Caribou Historical Society. Part one will cover the years 1974-88, part two, 1989-97, and part 3, 1998-2008. The center’s assortment features brochures on Alexander Cochran, S.W. Collins, the Caribou Woolen Mill, the Aroostook Valley and Bangor & Aroostook railroads, Dr. W.E. Sincock, the Aroostook War and numerous other personalities and historical events.
The CHC also has publications available for purchase, including the newest projects by Caribou historian Phil Turner. “Champlain in Maine,” printed in both English and French, details the travels of French explorer Samuel de Champlain and his exploration of Maine. “Exodus” tells the story of three brothers’ lives after they leave Scotland.
The museum is open each Saturday from 12-4 p.m. For more information, contact the society at 498-2556.
