Ellsworth, ME Historical Society Announces New Webpage

Ellsworth, Maine – February 15, 2011 – Today, The Ellsworth Historical Society announces its first ever webpage at www.ellsworthme.org/ellshistory/

Terri Weed Cormier – Co president of the society was pleased to make this announcement and said “This webpage marks a transformative experience for the society’s long history. This represents the next major step ahead as we continue to expand our community outreach and make more people aware of the society’s goals and continued preservation of our building and archives. We could not have done this without the help of John and Allison of MDI Web Design who offered their services to us as well as the webhosting at Ellsworthme.com and Ellsworthme.org who have been wonderful to work with in helping us achieve this goal”

The Ellsworth Historical Society evolved from a meeting held in 1978 of interested members of the community to save and protect our history. An item in the Ellsworth American invited those interested in forming a local historical society to meet at the First Congregational Church. The attendees decided to meet again and the first meeting of the Historical Society was held on May 22, 1978.

Since that time the society has been collecting the history and memorabilia of Ellsworth and serving the local community in preserving and sharing our local history through exhibitions and local outreach.

The Society and the Ellsworth Historic Preservation Commission joined forces to preserve the Old County Jail from demolition in 1980 and after working with the County Commissioners office an agreement was made that the building was a fitting place for the society and in 1980 a lease was signed that allowed the society to finally have a home. The first meeting was held in the Old County Jail in June 1981. The building was officially transferred to the society with the signing of the deed in 1998.

Restoration of the interior of the building started at once and with local help from area businesses, groups, and concerned citizen’s work began to restore the interior of the beautiful brick Queen Anne Revival Building that was built in 1886. The building now houses the society’s collection of Ellsworth history, with displays and changing exhibits from the society’s collections. The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August free of charge.

In 2008 the building was named to the National Registry of Historic Places. The announcement was made by Earle Shuttleworth Jr., President of the Maine Historic Commission which submitted the nomination. The front of the building was a former residence for the jail warden and his family, and the back contains 14 small cells on two floors. A dividing wall between the two sections once allowed the warden to monitor inmates through two small wickets that are still in place today.

The Ellsworth Historical Society is an all volunteer society that is dedicated to preserving the history of Ellsworth for future generations. Membership is open to all and we look forward to growing more in our local community, continuing to collect and preserve local history, and to helping others know the history of our home town we hope that everyone will visit our new website and join us to show your support. For additional information please email us at ellsworthhistory@yahoo.com or write to us at The Ellsworth Historical Society PO Box 355 Ellsworth, Me 04605

Genealogy Workshop in Ellsworth

The Hancock County Genealogical Society announces a Genealogy Workshop to be held on Saturday, June 20, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Ellsworth Public Library.

Are you having trouble finding your Hancock County ancestors? Are you trying to get started on a genealogy research project? If you are, join the members of HCGS on Saturday, June 20. A chance to ask questions of local genealogists. The Library's genealogy collection will be available for researchers to use.

They do suggest that it would be a big help if you would let them know what names you are interested in researching ahead of time. Contact Charlene Fox Clemons by email at foxtail994@roadrunner.com or by phone at 667-6363 (W) or 667-7210 (H).

Take advantage of this opportunity!

April Genealogical Events

Here's what's happening genealogically around the state for April:

April 5, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Grandma's Obituary Box presented by Pam Stone Eagleson, CG

April 13, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogical Society
Brunswick, Maine
Lisbon Historical Society presented by Al & Dorothy Smith and Bill Barr

April 16, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
Cousins Explained presented by Roxanne Moore Saucier

April 19, 2008
Finding Your Ancestors in Court Records
with Diane Rapaport
Maine Genealogical Society's One-Day Workshop
Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine
For more information, visit www.maineroots.org

April 19, 2008
Hancock County Genealogical Society
Ellsworth, Maine
Program To Be Announced

April 19, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Monthly Workshop - The Master Genealogist

April 20, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Organization Strategies presented by Carolyn Browne and Janet Weymouth

April 28, 2008
Aroostook County Genealogical Society
Caribou, Maine
CD of the MOCA Gravestone Repair Workshop of 7 Oct 2006 in Westbrook

March Genealogical Events

Here's what's happening genealogically around the state for March:

March 1, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Scottish Prisoners Brought to America in the 1650s presented by Bruce Tucker

March 9, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogical Society
Brunswick, Maine
Women's History Walk presented by Nikki Strandskov

March 13, 2008
Wassebec Genealogical Society
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Finding Ancestral Treasures on Ebay presented by Dale W. Mower

March 15, 2008
Hancock County Genealogical Society
Ellsworth, Maine
Program To Be Announced

March 15, 2008
Wassebec Genealogical Society
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Beginning Genealogy, A Special Workshop presented by Dale W. Mower

March 15, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Monthly Workshop - The Master Genealogist

March 16, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Show & Tell because it's fun to share!

March 19, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
Bangor's Historic Devil's Half Acre presented by Michelle Thomas

March 24, 2008
Aroostook County Genealogical Society
Caribou, Maine
Old Medical Terminology facilitated by Brenda Bourgoine

February Genealogical Events

Here's what's happening genealogically around the state for February:

February 2, 2008
Greater Portland Chapter of MGS
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Your Shaker Ancestors presented by Linda Aaskov

February 10, 2008
Pejepscot Genealogical Society
Brunswick, Maine
Why Don't I Get an Answer to my Query? presented by Marge Erickson

February 16, 2008
Hancock County Genealogical Society
Ellsworth, Maine
Annual Meeting and Election of Officers

February 16, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Monthly Workshop - The Master Genealogist

February 17, 2008
Taconnett Falls Chapter of MGS
Winslow, Maine
Valentine's Party and a short video about the Gerald Hotel

February 20, 2008
Penobscot County Genealogical Society
Bangor, Maine
A View to Organization: Taming the Paper Pile presented by Phil Getchell and Dale W. Mower

Hancock County Genealogical Society

Hancock County Genealogical Society announces a couple of upcoming meetings. Their meetings are held the third Saturday of each month at the Ellsworth Public Library starting at 2:30 p.m. The library is located at 20 State Street, in downtown Ellsworth.

On January 19, 2008, the topic is "Working on Maine Families in 1790 Project."

On February 16, 2008, they will hold their annual meeting and election of officers.

Other dates to mark on your calendars now include March 15th and April 19th, topices to be announced.

To learn more about Hancock County Genealogical Society, visit them at http://ellsworthme.org/hcgs/.