Founded:
The Bridgton Historical Society was founded in 1953 for the purpose of collecting and preserving historically significant material, and to encourage an appreciation and understanding of the events, customs, and traditions of Bridgton and the surrounding area.
Mission:
The Bridgton Histoirical Society exists for the purpose of collecting and preserving historically significant material that encourages an appreciation and understanding of the events, customs, and traditions of Bridgton and the surround area, as it pertains to Bridgton, and making that material available to the public through the operation and maintenance of museums, historical properties, and research facilities.
Collections:
Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Papers
This collection consists of approximately 1,600 pieces (4 linear feet) of business records generated by the Bridgton & Saco River Railroad, or by other companies (mostly the Maine Central Railroad) doing business with the Bridgton & Saco River. The records detail passenger and freight business at the various stations along the line, and with other lines, 1890-1900 (primarily 1897-1900). Documents from the B&SRR include Accounts of Merchandize Received & Forwarded; Reports of Tickets Sold; Abstracts of Footings and Way-bills, etc. The collection includes similar documents generated by the Maine Central Railroad, as well as divisions of revenue and corrections in interline ticket sales.
A few of the documents in the collection were generated by other companies, including the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co., 1900; Boston and Maine Railroad, 1890-1900; International Steamship Co., 1890, 1897; New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Co, 1899-1900; Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 1900; Portland and Rochester Railroad, 1898; Portland and Rumford Falls Railway, 1897, 1898; Portland Steamship Company, 1890-1900; Thomas Cook and Son, 1899, 1900; Lake Shore and Michigan Southern; American Express Co., and several other railroads.
Facilities:
The Society operates a museum and research center at 5 Gibbs Avenue in downtown Bridgton, and "Narramissic," the Peabody-Fitch House, a restored 19th-century farm, complete with a working blacksmith shop, in South Bridgton. "Narramissic" is located near the end of Ingalls Road, one mile in from route 107.
Activities:
Bridgton Historical Society blog
Hours:
The Blynn Davis Memorial Archives:
Open Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Starting June 27, 2012
Gibbs Museum: Grand Opening June 23, 2012
Open Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Starting June 27, 2012
Narramissic Open June 23, 2012
Tours Fridays & Saturdays
The grounds are always open during daylight hours -- hiking and picnic tables are available.