The
Raymond Casco Historical Society Museum on Route 302 in Casco is a treasure,
hidden in plain sight. Though the bright red building is hard to miss with its extensive
mural of the Raymond steamboat dropping off passengers to be picked up by the
Casco stagecoach it doesn’t always inspire people to stop and check it out. But
it should.
Inside
the large building a wide range of historical artifacts details the history of
the two towns, which began as one community called Raymondtown, according to
RCHS president Frank McDermott. The town hall for Raymondtown sat in the same
place as Raymond’s current town hall on Route 85. The long drive from Casco to
visit the town hall prompted the split into two towns, McDermott said. With the
common history, it only makes sense to have a common museum, he added.
The
RCHS is a 45-year old organization, started by Ernest Wright, who was active in
the society until his death. A collection of books by Wright is for sale at the
museum. These books include two volumes that showcase historical pictures and
modern photos of the same location side by side, a collection of old historical
society newsletters and more.
The
purpose of the society is to preserve the history of Raymond and Casco,
McDermott said. One of the challenges is the movement of people, he added. “Casco
still has some old families, but Raymond doesn’t. The old families have gone by
the wayside,” he said. When families haven’t been in the towns for several
generations, history doesn’t mean as much to them, he said.
The
society makes a point of presenting a complete history of the area, starting
with native people. “We don’t start with the history of the whites showing up here.
We try to emphasize we were not the first people,” McDermott said. “It’s not
just what’s gone on here since the late 1600s. It’s the real history of the
area.”
The
work is not easy, McDermott added. There are only about 10 active, working
members in the RCHS, and there is a lot to do. In addition to the museum, the
society operates the Friends Schoolhouse in Casco Village. They have just begun
discussions with the town to move the schoolhouse to the museum site, to
consolidate activities. But until that happens, volunteers are split between
the two. They have just enough people to keep the museum open for a couple of
hours three days per week, with two volunteers present each day. “The people
who do it do it for the love of it, and it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve learned a
lot along the way,” said McDermott, who along with his wife is a charter member
of the society.
The
museum collection is spread between two buildings – the main museum and the old
barn from the Watkins farm. Displays are unique and varied, including
photographs of the Wilson Spring House, an early competitor of Poland Spring,
an exhibit on Princess Goldenrod, a local Native American entrepreneur in the
1950s, Casco High School memorabilia, and much more. The barn houses some of
the larger items, including soda fountain and advertising memorabilia,
collections of tools and farm equipment. And out back a surprise awaits
visitors in a third building, the classic antique automobile barn. Skip
Watkins, who donated the land and built the museum for the society, and leases
them the historic barn, houses his vast collection of restored classic cars here,
which the historical society can show to visitors.
The
RCHS is funded in part by the towns of Casco and Raymond, with each community
contributing $1,800 per year to the society. Other funding comes by way of donations
and special events. Museum admission is by donation, rather than a set
admission price.
In
early August, the museum will host its annual Antiques & Collectible
Appraisal event. On Wednesday, August 10th at 5 p.m, people can bring their
antiques and collectibles to the museum. For $5 per item, they will receive an
appraisal by Harry Hepburn III, a licensed and bonded appraiser and auctioneer
who has been dealing in antiques since 1971. McDermott said Hepburn has a
sterling reputation in the area, and puts on a good show.
“There
are treasures that come through, there’s no doubt about that” said McDermott,
remembering a painting on wood that had potential to be worth thousands. “It’s
been very successful. We draw a good crowd, and we are hoping to have another
good crowd this year,” he said.
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