if you have dreamt of what it would be like to step back in time, a visit to the Corinth Historical Society is in order! Thoughtfully acquired antiques arranged beautifully and timely can whisk you away to bygone days. Older folks can reminisce, while younger folks can be educated on how it used to be. Pure delight to meander through our beautiful historical society wonder.
Several years ago, we made a trip from Pennsylvania to Maine for the purpose of genealogical research. My ancestors were from the Corinth area. Eleven of them are buried in the Corinthian cemetery. We found Historical Society volunteer, Pauline S, via e-mail prior to making our trip. She answered a few basic questions on line and then while we were in Maine, she and Carol gave up time from their busy day to go with us to the cemetery, find our ancestors' graves, and give us a tour of your marvelous museum. That's above and beyond the role of volunteer, we think! The coolest part of the story . . . . one of her ancestors was married to one of my ancestors. We've stayed in touch since then and refer to each other as cousins :-) Small world.
The Corinth Historical Society is a huge blessing to my community. We have some outstanding leaders and volunteers who donate countless hours, who selflessly give so much of their heart and time to this cause. The building of artifacts and the landscaping with it's village is so detailed and well-kept, arranged in a most user friendly way! It is a true delight every time I walk throughout the building and the around the village. There is so much to see, and it's set up in a way that is not crowded, with like things together, which makes it much more enjoyable, and a more in-depth educational experience. I hope to introduce my five grandchildren to this wonder that we are so blessed to have!
Corinth Historical Society is doing a wonderful job of preserving the heritage of the Corinth area. In the years that I have been a member I have watched the Museum collection grow as local families realize that there is indeed a group of community members that will care for and protect their memories and treasures.
The work that the membership does is phenomenal, and the support from the community is heart warming. More volunteers are needed, however, to enable the Society to continue with this all important project.
Every time I visit the Corinth Historical Society's museum I am so-o-o impressed. They have done a wonderful job of utilizing the old Grange Hall and turning it into a museum with something of interest for all ages. Being involved with another historical society, I must admit I am always a bit jealous. They have the volunteers who, obviously, are willing to share their interests in preservation and their time to produce eye catching displays, in a building so well suited, historically. Although I have not personally experienced the use of their archives, I have heard from others that they are well organized, and their keepers are always willing to share their help and their knowledge of Corinth's past. The CHS is fortunate to have these volunteers, dedicated to carrying out the society's mission.
I have been a member for several years, and live in the area, members of my family have resided in Corinth. The Society has many wonderful displays and artifacts that have been donated by townspeople and the members encourage people to use the records for ancestry research. All board members are very dedicated to the Society. I have not had the time recently to be more helpful due to my job but I encourage everyone to stop in on Wednesdays during the summer months to see how they can be of help to you.
Corinth Historical Society started out as being more like a traveling show. Everything we had acquired through donations and purchases were stored in trunks and boxes for decades. Whenever there was a town function we would ask permission to set up a tabletop display to interest people in preserving Corinth's history and recruiting members. I believe we had around 30 members before we had a building so the interest was there.
Eventually a former Grange Hall which had been given to the Town became vacant and we pounced on the opportunity to use the building as a tenant and prove to people that we were serious about the work at hand. Up until then people were reluctant to donate family historical artifacts because it was only going into storage boxes and brought out occasionally. Having a building with our name on it showed citizens we could now accept donations and loans for display.
In our outreach, there is an annual Children's History Day where the entire fourth grade classes from our consolidated school are given a talk at the school of what to expect at the museum and then a day for them to visit and discuss the uses of various items with volunteer guides. This usually brings around 70 to 80 children and remind them this is a free museum and invite their parents to come back with them during the summer months.
We have worked very hard creating meaningful displays and the vast majority of the investment has come from dues and fund raising activities with volunteers.
The Corinth Historical Society is a great organization, even though I don't live close by I try to stay abreast of everything that's happening with them and look for ways they may need my help in some way. They are always a big help in my research and have been willing to loan me materials and also make copies of documents then mail them to me. My family dates back to the very first days of Corinth's history and I am grateful that there is a place I can go to find any information I may need. I have attended a meeting and was able to assist the society in removing some un-wanted appliances to free up some much needed space. I got to meet and talk to other society members and it was a great experience. I am still a active member of the Corinth Historical Society and plan to remain so for a good long time.
Michael Rockwell
My husband & I made a trip from Yakima, WA to Corinth in October of 2009 to research family residing there in the early 1800's. Our first stop was the Town Office. They were very helpful. They gave us all the information they had, and when they were unable to answer all our questions, they called Jan Bryan, a volunteer/archivist & researcher with the Corinth Historical Society. Jan offered to meet us at the museum, and check the information she had in her files. As I mentioned above, it was in October, and cold, and there was no heat in the building. Still, she opened the museum to us, then retrieved the information from the museum files pertaining to our family, and let us make copies of everything she had on file! We couldn't believe her willingness to go the extra mile. Periodically, we have received follow up e-mails with helpful tidbits. The museum is very well done and the volunteers are amazing!
I am sort of a shadow volunteer because I do most of the thank you notes even when in Florida for the winter. I love this organization and the many volunteers who are dedicated to improving and keeping the society going. Constantly changing displays each year is a big job but we have a few dedicated people who do it and do it well. I especially love getting back in time to help with History Day in which we have the 4th graders and their teachers, from Morison come down for a tour. I have participated in presenting a program in years past. This always is a fun time for the kids and us as well! My husband and I also restored a donated miniture village that stands in back of the museum. PLEASE COME AND VISIT THE CORINTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN CORINTH, MAINE. It's well worth you time and well worth the hours volunteers have spend working there.
As a descendant of an old Maine family, I have had occasion to request information from the Corinth Historical Society as I am not a Maine resident. The volunteers have been most helpful in my search for information and I plan to visit the museum on a future trip to Maine.
The Corinth Historical Society has made great strides in the past few years, improving their displays and increasing their level of professionalism. Their quarterly newsletter is one of the finest I have seen come from an organization of this size, comprised entirely of volunteers. In fact, at the time of my Mother's passing, everyone was in agreement that as a family we would work with the Society to set up a segregated fund to which people could contribute money in lieu of flowers at Mom's funeral. Days prior to her passing, Mom even made it clear that she felt the Corinth Historical Society was the only place for her most prized possession: her father's favorite rocking chair. She made that donation above allowing one of her children to have it, so strong was her commitment to the organization. We all agreed that it was a great place for her memory to be honored. We encourage others to think of the needs of the Corinth Historical Society in this way. In the end, any donation there is a gift to everyone.
The Corinth Historical Society Museum is well organized with many displays of authentic artifacts on many subjects and events in the town's history. They have an impressive collection of Civil War artifacts and soldier pension files. Family geneology files are expanding all the time with more donations from local families and contain some diaries, photos, scrapbooks, obituaries and other items of interest.
The staff are well versed in the local history and are willing to help everyone with research. it's been a pleasure volunteering for this organization. The museum is an integral part of the village and is strongly supported by the town residents and town government officals.
Corinth Hist Soc has a beautiful 2-story museum located in the old Grange Hall, Main St, Corinth. It is open summers on Wednesdays 2pm- 7pm and certain other days as scheduled. A wide variety of displays illustrate life as it was once lived using actual artifacts. Displays include horse-draw vehicles such as the town hearse, 1st fire engine, and several farm implements. Separate rooms display a recreated one-room-schoolhouse, general store, and millinary shop . The research area contains archives of interest to the genealogist, including files on over 300 Corinth family surnames, high school yearbooks and Town Reports going back to the 1800s, cemetery listings and maps, and much more. This building is in critical need of climate control. Right now there is no heat and just one dehumidifier for 2 floors. There is also an ongoing need for adult volunteers. I have worked as a volunteer with this organization for 8 years and have had a fine time working with enthusiastic and knowledgable local historians. For additional information see www.angelfire.com/me2/corinthhistorical/ and Facebook.
Review from Guidestar