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July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 The Grist Mill Museum closed on October 1, 2005 and reopened on June 12, 2006. Amanda Pullen returned for her third year as intern to assist Curator Richard Whitney. They mounted a new exhibit honoring the Dexter High School class of 1956 for their 50th reunion. A new acquisition, a corner china cabinet, that was made at Eldridge Brothers around 1920, was placed in the kitchen area with a display of china including the green and white dishes from the Jose family. The fire department area was redesigned, with the addition of a print on loan from the Dexter Fire Department. As usual we participated in Wild West Days with additional open hours and a large attendance. A group of scouts and Mr. Whitney's history classes toured in the fall and Foxcroft Academy and NOE toured in the spring. A new oval sign with gold letters on black was placed at the Abbott Museum crediting the Dexter Historical Society. The gift shop entered its second year with increased lines of products and consignor items on offer. The Lancaster Reading Room was papered and a bookcase built which displays the many newsletters from local and state historical organizations that are available for perusing. The room offers a pleasant and adjustable space for meetings as well as individual or group research. When the Dexter Odd Fellows disbanded in the winter they donated many of their artifacts and records to us. They also made a monetary donation that was used to provide cabinets, counters and a microwave for the staff area. We applied for and were awarded a matching grant from the Historical Facilities Grant Program funded by the New Century Program and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to assist in completing the renovation of the lower floor for museum display space. We have a new tri-fold full color brochure designed by Ivy Stickler, which has been widely distributed. In April we attended the SPCCC Expo in Guilford with an exhibit about activities on the homefront in Dexter during World War II, which was later set up in the Lancaster Room. We also displayed many of Bert Call's hand tinted photos there in the spring Elizabeth LaForge gave two public talks on repairing or restoring pottery and fine art. Several groups have used our facilities for regular or one time meetings. We encourage such use, as well as group tours. We also welcome volunteers at all the museums and at the gift shop, for a variety of activities. Our regular public meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM. We may be contacted at: Dexter Historical Society, P.O. Box 481, Dexter, ME 04930. Phone: 924-5721, email: dexhist@panax.com, web:www.dexterhistoricalsociety.com. Respectfully submitted, |
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