Patten Free Library, Bath, Maine -- Sagadahoc County History and Genealogy Room

The Patten Free Library in Bath, Sagadahoc Co., Maine is the last library I visited this year. I'd been looking forward to seeing it for several months, and it didn't disappoint me.

Facing the library from the library park, you see the original building and the Kennebec River.

 Two charming readers greet you at the entrance.

Three photos below show the original rooms, the first picture with the four windows overlooks the river.

The above, looking into the original section. and below photo are both in the newer section.

When we visited the library at 11:00 A.M., I was well aware the History Room was not open (Hours: 12:30 - 4 P.M., Tuesday thru Saturday). Fortunately, I was able to ask the director if she would show me the room after I explained I would be posting a small report to my blog. She was more than happy to take me upstairs, and answered my questions. It's a rather large room, packed full with books, file cabinets and technology items. Yes, I was very lucky she had the time to do this for me.

These two pictures show the library from the outside. It was built in 1890 for $15,000. Two additions were later added in 1961 and 1998.

View from the library, the 1843 Winter Street Church. located at 880 Washington Street.

Photo taken by Barbara Proko, facebook friend

From a bridge, I took a photo of the USS Zumwalt. Much has been written about it, and I was quite excited to see it docked at the Bath Iron Works plant. My husband's uncle was and a cousin are draftsmen there.

From Wikipedia: "USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) is a guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy. She is the lead ship of the Zumwalt class and the first ship to be named for Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Zumwalt has stealth capabilities, having a radar cross-section akin to a fishing boat despite her large size. On 7 December 2015, Zumwalt began her sea trial preparatory to joining the Pacific Fleet. She is to be homeported in San Diego, California. The ship will be commissioned in Baltimore on October 15, 2016."

http://whdh.com/news/local/stealthy-destroyer-ready-to-set-sail-to-join-us-navy/

We've Waited so Long for Spring

 Photos taken April 30th and May 1st.

All in Lowell, Massachusetts

Newly planted 1,000 daffodils last fall, blooming in the Lowell Cemetery.

Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts on Grandparent's Day

It might seem strange to see a post about the famous Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts here, but there is a reason. Close to 5 months ago, fellow blogger, John Tew of Filiopietism Prism blog and I decided to do a post about this school. He had mentioned that one of his ancestors had gone there, many years ago, and I mentioned that it was rather close to me, and I had visited often, but never the campus. I offered to take current photos and he is posting ca 1912-1913 photos taken by his great-grandfather. I have seen one of them, and tried to locate that building, but never found it. The photos below were taken last month, and it was Grandparent's Day at the school. You will see three generations walking together, so my husband and I fit right in!

Unfortunately, I didn't write down names of buildings, so I don't know what they were. However, on the right of the church, really hidden, is the famous Addison Gallery of American Art. We go there often, because the collections are outstanding. In February (photos at the end of post) we saw the An American in London: Whistler and the Thames exhibit, especially meaningful since the artist was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, where I currently live. If you are in the area, this is worth visiting, it's free, but parking is limited.

Seen may be Samuel Phillips Hall, Bulfinch Hall, Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, Morse Hall, Graham Hall, Graves Hall, and Pearson Hall. If somebody can identify any, please let me know, thanks.

I just discovered a great map of the campus, which I didn't have during my visit. So perhaps another trip is in the works. I loved seeing most of the campus, got plenty of exercise, but I see from the map, there is a whole area we missed!

 

Cochran Chapel

The small cemetery has two entrances, something I just discovered on our walk. I had blogged about seeing the cemetery stone for Harriet Beecher Stowe, seen HERE.

Memorial Bell Tower

Also on the grounds is a wonderful Nature Sanctuary, see previous post HERE.

Addison Gallery on the left, Memorial Bell Tower straight ahead.

Seeing Chelmsford, Massachusetts on May Breakfast Day

May breakfast on the first Saturday in May has been a tradition at my former church for 88 years. After a discussion regarding May breakfasts on facebook, some wondered if they were still being held. I knew of this one, so on this early spring morning, my husband and I went to it, only 5 miles away. Another post will follow, with more photos of the Chelmsford green. It was like seeing it for the first time, since they recently took out the power lines and improved the area, I even saw some historical sites, new to me.

Several signs around the church and on bulletin boards.

 We were early, so it wasn't crowded. Beautifully decorated.

 Oh the handmade baskets, each filled with six or so pieces of fudge.

 When I mentioned my mother and the elevator next to the table to where the baskets were being sold, both ladies got a little emotional. They knew my mother and still are so thankful that my mother left money to the church when she died. The church was able to install the elevator. Since I was curious if they needed to raise more funds, I was told no. One of these days, I'm going to have a plaque put there with her name.

 One of the ladies took me into the storage area to show me the additional baskets, it looked like a period room.

 Looking out the church window at the square.

 Real flowers and menu at each table.

  The "new" town hall is below, as seen from the church.

Chelmsford green, with church.