PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Forty seven fourth-graders from Ms. Pangburn and Ms. Kelley’s classes at Zippel Elementary School took a field trip to the E. Perrin Edmunds Library at Northern Maine Community College May 30 to view the Presque Isle Historical Society’s Civil War exhibit.
The students met with Kim Smith from the historical society, who was garbed in Civil War mourning dress. Smith engaged the children in a conversation about the Civil War and demonstrated how it impacted Presque Isle. She then walked the students through the exhibit.
The wooden peg leg used by a Civil War veteran from Presque Isle and a wreath made from human hair by a family to mourn the loss of their loved one were of great interest to the students.
Other authentic Civil War artifacts on display from the society’s collection included Civil War currency, discharge and promotion certificates of Civil War soldiers from Presque Isle, an officer’s sword, tintype photographs, a muster roll indicating who had enlisted and a mourning dress and bonnet.
Many of these artifacts may be viewed during the society’s monthly guided tours of the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum. The next tour of the House Museum located at 16 Third Street will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 1 p.m. Reservations are required due to limited space and admission is $2 per person.
The exhibit was part of the final celebration for the year-long grant received from Maine Historical Society and Maine Humanities Council to study the impact of the Civil War in Presque Isle. Local grant partners included Presque Isle Middle School, Northern Maine Community College, Turner Memorial Library and Presque Isle Historical Society.
Over the last year, the partners have hosted several readings on books pertaining to the Civil War and exhibits. The grant culminated on Saturday, May 31 with the unveiling of Presque Isle’s online Civil War exhibit.
The mission of the Presque Isle Historical Society is to study, promote and preserve the history, culture, heritage and physical artifacts of Presque Isle for future generations.
For more information, visit pihistory.org, e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com or call 762-1151.
