Bob Appleby, Joe Berry, Donovan Bowley, Gwen Brodis, Bill Jones, Ann Leadbetter, Barbara Ludwig and Nancy Pike (Lincolnville) met at the Hope Historical Home at 2:30 to carpool to Searsmont where members of the Searsmont Historical Society, Norman Withee, Jenness Robbins and others gave us a guided tour of their newly-constructed post-and-beam barn with its collection of farm machinery and a turbine from the Robbins mill, then an explanation of SHS's area of the new town-office building and of their collection therein. During World War I, when petroleum fuels were severely rationed, the Robbins mill was able to operate normally because it still used water power from the Saint George River. Following a lengthy and fascinating tour, the HHS members returned to a potluck supper at our own Home and a brief business meeting.
During the business meeting, we unanimously agreed to have President Bowley draw up further plans and get estimates of the costs of putting in a wheelchair ramp, an improved downstairs bathroom, and of converting the ell shed into a meeting & display room dedicated to our late Treasurer Faith Ludwig Hart.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Jones, Secretary