June 19th, 2023

Castine: The Castine Historical Society is in the early stages of planned renovations to its exhibition building, the Abbott School, to broaden accessibility, expand exhibit space, and create a permanent Castine history exhibit. The Historical Society is seeking input from people to help guide this exciting process! The first of four meetings will take place Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Each stakeholder meeting will be the same and are designed to provide times throughout the summer for everyone to attend.

The Abbot School was built on the Castine Town Common in 1859. Since the mid-1990s when the Castine Historical Society purchased the building, the first floor has been used for changing history exhibits, a gift shop, and a public restroom. The second floor is unused and accessible only by a narrow staircase. The Historical Society’s new Strategic Plan calls for making both floors accessible to visitors with an exciting new, permanent exhibit about Castine’s long and extraordinary history. The first floor will continue to be used for temporary exhibits and an expanded gift shop.

The Historical Society would like to hear from community members and other interested people about the planned Castine history exhibition. At the stakeholder meetings a facilitator will ask questions about what stories, artifacts, and histories should be told in the exhibit; what new technologies could bring the past to life; and what would spark visitor’s imagination and deepen understanding of Castine and its long history.

During the stakeholder meetings, attendees will tour the two floors and then convene to learn more about the project and give feedback, ideas, and inspiration. The responses will help CHS and the architects, engineers, and exhibit designers who will be engaged to renovate the Abbot School building during the coming years.

The stakeholder meetings will take place on the dates below. Registration is required for the Zoom meetings. For questions, please call or email the CHS staff at info@castinehistoricalsociety.org or call 207-326-4118.

 

Wednesday June 28, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is required at castinehistoricalsociety.org or by calling 207-326-4118.

 

Tuesday July 18, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. In person in the CHS Mitchell Room. No reservations required.

 

Monday, August 7, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is required at castinehistoricalsociety.org or by calling 207-326-4118

 

Monday August 28, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. In person in the CHS Mitchell Room. No reservations required.

 

The Castine Historical Society makes Castine history accessible, relevant, and inspiring to all. The Historical Society preserves local history and hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as lectures, educational events, and town walking tours. Currently on display for the 2023 season in the Abbott School gallery at 17 School Street is “Clark Fitz-Gerald: Castine’s Celebrated Sculptor-in-Residence.” The Grindle House offices, collection facility, and research library are located at 13 School Street, Castine.

The Historical Society exhibits are free and open from June 5 – September 4, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Fall hours are September 8 – October 9, Friday, Saturday, Monday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Free one-hour walking tours of Castine are offered Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 10:00 a.m. beginning June 23. For further information about exhibits, events, and the Historical Society visit castinehistoricalsociety.org, call 207-326-4118, or email info@castinehistoricalsociety.org.