Skowhegan Falls History Walk
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Skowhegan Falls History Walk in Celebration of America’s 250th
Location: Benedict Arnold Park behind the Federated Church, Island Avenue, Skowhegan, Me.
Date: Thursday, June 25 (rain date: June 26)
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Guide: Melvin Burnham, Local Historian
Step into the past on a tour of Skowhegan Island with historian Melvin Burnham. This history walk offers participants in-depth information with vintage images that illustrate what role Skowhegan Island and Skowhegan Falls played in the development of industry and culture on the Kennebec River during the 19th century. Participants will learn what it was like to live and work in this era; how the power of moving water can shape the destiny of a community. This island once could only be accessed by rowboat, canoe, or bateaux. Native Americans used it for fishing, resting, growing crops, and gathering mineral resources for their weapons. Now thousands of vehicles cross this 12-acre island every day.
Many of the photos shared in this walk originated from the H. A. Wyman Collection assembled by Roland Taylor Patten (1864 – 1913), an early editor/owner of the Independent- Reporter and avid cyclist. Prior to his involvement in the Independent-Reporter photos used in the paper were discarded after use. Mr. Patten, realizing their value, decided to save them and over the years collected numerous photos depicting early Skowhegan history. Upon selling his interest in the newspaper and moving away, Mr. Patten secured funds from H. A. Wyman to assemble his image collection in binders and labeled each with valuable information. The Wyman Collection is now housed at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center.
The old Spinning Mill, now known as The Skowhegan, built in 1922, has been repurposed as housing units, a hotel, and a German restaurant. At the end of the walk, if arrangements can be made in time, tour participants will be offered a chance to tour this project to see how an historic structure can be reconstructed and continue to serve the community. The Biergarten will be open at noon for your luncheon convenience.
The ninety-minute walk will be tailored to participants’ needs and interests. Participants are welcome to bring and use lightweight folding chairs for their comfort and use their cameras along the way.
Join the walk and take a step back in time to see why Skowhegan Falls was and continues to be an important historic district in this community.
FMI: skowheganhistoryhouse.org
Location: Benedict Arnold Park behind the Federated Church, Island Avenue, Skowhegan, Me.
Date: Thursday, June 25 (rain date: June 26)
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Guide: Melvin Burnham, Local Historian
Step into the past on a tour of Skowhegan Island with historian Melvin Burnham. This history walk offers participants in-depth information with vintage images that illustrate what role Skowhegan Island and Skowhegan Falls played in the development of industry and culture on the Kennebec River during the 19th century. Participants will learn what it was like to live and work in this era; how the power of moving water can shape the destiny of a community. This island once could only be accessed by rowboat, canoe, or bateaux. Native Americans used it for fishing, resting, growing crops, and gathering mineral resources for their weapons. Now thousands of vehicles cross this 12-acre island every day.
Many of the photos shared in this walk originated from the H. A. Wyman Collection assembled by Roland Taylor Patten (1864 – 1913), an early editor/owner of the Independent- Reporter and avid cyclist. Prior to his involvement in the Independent-Reporter photos used in the paper were discarded after use. Mr. Patten, realizing their value, decided to save them and over the years collected numerous photos depicting early Skowhegan history. Upon selling his interest in the newspaper and moving away, Mr. Patten secured funds from H. A. Wyman to assemble his image collection in binders and labeled each with valuable information. The Wyman Collection is now housed at the Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center.
The old Spinning Mill, now known as The Skowhegan, built in 1922, has been repurposed as housing units, a hotel, and a German restaurant. At the end of the walk, if arrangements can be made in time, tour participants will be offered a chance to tour this project to see how an historic structure can be reconstructed and continue to serve the community. The Biergarten will be open at noon for your luncheon convenience.
The ninety-minute walk will be tailored to participants’ needs and interests. Participants are welcome to bring and use lightweight folding chairs for their comfort and use their cameras along the way.
Join the walk and take a step back in time to see why Skowhegan Falls was and continues to be an important historic district in this community.
FMI: skowheganhistoryhouse.org
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Where is it happening?
Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherSkowhegan History House Museum & Research Center
