Friday, June 21, 2019

Hawthorne Community Association continues Strawberry Festival

By Lorraine Glowczak

In an effort to keep a bit of history, cultural and literature alive and well in Raymond, the Hawthorne Community Association will host their annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 29 at the Nathaniel Hawthorne House at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond. The event will begin with a guest speaker at 6:30 p.m. followed by homemade strawberry shortcake, coffee, punch and a social hour.
Nathaniel Hawthorne house in 2007

Briefly, Hawthorne’s boyhood home was built around 1812 by Richard Manning, who was an early settler in Raymond and an uncle to Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne is known to have lived for some years with his mother and sister in this house, and probably continued to visit it during his years at Bowdoin College (1822–25). Many are aware that the home was eventually converted into a church, but few realize that it was also a tavern.

Former Windham High History Teacher and the guest speaker for the evening, Terry Christy, will present his talk: “Taverns, Shanties and More” about the home’s incarnation as Colonel Scribner’s Tavern in the mid-1800’s. The community will also learn about the time when canal boats and stagecoaches were the most modern means of travel and people needed places to rest for the night. Christy is a known to have an entertaining and informal style you will be sure to enjoy.

Donations for the event are $10 per adult or $5 per child (8 and under). All proceeds go to preserve and maintain the Nathaniel Hawthorne boyhood home. Although walk-ins for the event are welcome, reservations are helpful for planning purposes. Please make your Strawberry Festival reservations before June 24th at e-mail jmanoush@twc.com, call 207-655-7660 or text 207-756-9260.



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