Fair offers history lesson
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — History buffs with an interest in the “War Between the States” may want to pay a visit to the Historical Pavilion at the Northern Maine Fair this week to check out an exhibit called Presque Isle’s Connection to the Civil War.
The booth will include authentic Civil War artifacts, such as a framed promotion certificate from well-known Presque Isle resident James Phair and a sword, hat, cord, ceremonial sash and black powder container from Presque Isle resident Benjamin Owen.
Also on display will be other items from that era, including a hair wreath and hair brooch.
“These ornamental items are made from actual human hair, which was a common practice in remembrance of lost loved ones during that era,” said Kim Smith, treasurer for the Presque Isle Historical Society.
Smith said plans included having a local school band play Civil War music. “We already have the sheet music.”
“And as usual, our booth will also have the six-foot tall telescoping historical banners depicting Presque Isle’s history and live ‘freeze’ models in historic clothing,” she said.
Visitors will be able to read up on how the Star City factored into the Civil War.
“The story panels on our connection to the Civil War tell the story of how many local men fought and died in the war. This will include pie charts illustrating the high percentage of the local population of that era that were involved,” said Smith, noting a bound listing of the 114 Presque Isle men who served and what regiment they served in, if known, will also be available for viewing.
“A bound notebook listing all Maine Civil War regiments, when they mustered in and out and where they were stationed or fought will be there too,” she said. “And we have a bound notebook of Presque Isle cemeteries containing the burial sites of Presque Isle’s Civil War veterans.”
Smith said there’s been a lot of interest generated about this exhibit. She said groups and organizations, including schools and libraries, were signed up to display the exhibit next year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The exhibit will be on display Aug. 3-5.
