The Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum will open for the summer season on Thursday, June 22.
The summer hours will be Thursdays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. each day until Labor Day. Private tours can be arranged by calling Jane Nicholson at 207-538-8206.
Volunteers have been busy cleaning and preparing the grounds for the upcoming season. Many new items have been donated and will be on display for the summer.
One of the latest donations is a collection of native American wicker baskets given by Frank Bell of Houlton. They can be viewed in the grass tool room along with the largest Native American potato basket.
The museum gym with kitchen facilities is available to rent for private functions. Call Debbie Campbell at 207-538-9583 for details and available dates.
Volunteers are needed for tour guides, overseeing events to open and close the facility, small fix-it jobs, cataloging or cooking for monthly suppers. Anyone interested in helping should contact Nicholson or Karen Donato at 207-694-6099. The museum is a great place to meet new people, work on your own schedule and your time is greatly appreciated.
The museum has been open since 2001 and has built a vast collection of farming equipment and household furnishings unique to the state of Maine and Aroostook County. There is something for everyone in this collection.
At this time Matthew Bolstridge is constructing an addition to the Carl & Helen Hagan Barn. This addition will be in memory of George Smith of New Limerick. Smith was an active volunteer and spent many hours helping build the museum as it is today. He earmarked funds for projects and with a grant from Rural Development and support from the museum it is under construction at this time.
Current officers for the museum are: Paul Klein, president; Francis Fitzpatrick, vice-president, Debbie Melvin, secretary; and Debbie Campbell, treasurer.
Museum meetings are held the first and third Saturdays of the month at 9 a.m. All are welcome to participate in the meetings held at the museum, 1664 Route 1 in Littleton, just before the Pit Stop.
