Located on the corner of routes 27 & 16 in Stratton you’ll find the Dead River Area Historical Society. It may look like just an old church from the outside, but inside is chock full of artifacts and exhibits which chronicles the rich history of this area. From Benedict Arnold’s march through the area to Quebec, local Celeb Jud Strunk to the flooding of the towns of Dead River and Flagstaff there’s a ton to see. Retired game warden Scott Stevens takes us through as you can see in the videos. Check it out! [Read more…]
More from a real Local on Adventures/Tales from Life in Eustis & more/beyond!
What’s a picture of the old fire tower on top of Bigelow got to do with a guest on our Mountain Report?? You will find out when you listen to our friend & a favorite guest in our studio, the always wicked interesting multi-generational local historian with no moss growing under his feet, Kenny Wing! Photo from Jay Wyman, ANOTHER multi-generational local who posted it just before we uploaded Kenny’s interview, how awesome is that for timing??? Thanks for another of your pics, AGAIN, Jay!
Carrabassett Valley History Committee
Jean Luce and Tim Flight stopped by to inform us about something they have been working on for quite sometime. Their efforts have paid off. Check out the History of Carrabassett Valley at www.history.carrabassettvalley.org. So much cool stuff to learn about and you’ll see why certain things around here are named as they are, etc. Did you know there used to be a zoo in Carrabassett?? Watch the interview and check out the website to see more!
Stanley Steamers: local history that still inspires!
The Stanley Steamer is one of those special inventions that you fall in love with when you first see (& hear!) one, if you should be so fortunate! This video from WSKI’s Archives by an unknown producer is timeless in its presentation of one of the incredible creations of the brilliant Stanley brothers of Kingfield at the turn of the 18th-19th century. As stated in the mission of the Stanley Museum, where you can see actual Steam Cars (1905, 1909, 1910, 1916), & other inventions including Air-Brush Portraits, Paintings, Violins, Photographs, & more: ‘The Stanley Museum keeps and shares the traditions of Yankee Ingenuity and creativity as exemplified by the Stanley family in order to inspire those values in children and adults’. The Museum commemorates and preserves the heritage of the Stanley family genius, including sister, Chansonetta, whose photographs depicting rural turn-of-the-century American life can also be viewed at 40 School Street, Kingfield. Museum hours: June through October, Tuesday to Sunday 1 to 4 PM; November through May, Tuesday to Friday 1 to 4 PM; or by appointment. www.stanleymuseum.org
River Drivers
When hard work, danger & hardship meant worthy skills, fearlessness, & great friendships. River Drivers moved the timber from forest to the sea & sawmills along the way! Just a few years back I brought my visiting mother to the River Drivers’ reunion day at the Dead River Historical Society in Stratton where I shot these interviews on the spur of the moment because I had the camera in the car & pulled it out to record the tales being told by these amazing men of a generation gone by.
