Hastings Homestead Museum

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

An important hold-over from earlier architectural forms in western Maine is the meetinghouse, as distinct from the church form with its nave-like hall. In Oxford County, the "Old Meeting House" in the town of Porter was begun in 1818 and completed in 1824. One of the last of its type constructed in Maine, the building displays an open interior with three-sided gallery, box pews, and high pulpit.

Learn more about Oxford County's early meetinghouses and churches on June 14th at the Lower Meetinghouse (East Bethel Church). A free event!

05/11/2026

The 1803 Baptist Church at Paris Hill, Maine, followed an eighteenth-century architectural tradition. With a high pulpit and galleries around three sides, the building was used for Oxford County court cases from 1805 to 1815, when the first County Courthouse was completed a short distance away. Likewise, the church was utilized for Paris town meetings until it was replaced by the present Greek Revival Baptist Church in 1838.

Learn more about Oxford County's early meetinghouses and churches on June 14th at the Lower Meetinghouse (East Bethel Church). A free event!

04/28/2026

Remembering Stan Howe (1943-2026), the last Hastings descendant to reside at the Homestead. What he contributed to the community was remarkable.

04/21/2026

“The Hastings Homestead in Bethel represents a rare instance in which the historic furnishings of one family have been preserved by each successive generation. Every room portrays the changing styles and tastes of Maine life during the last two centuries.”

Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Maine State Historian

04/19/2026

After a number of delays due to renovation and restoration projects, the circa 1822 Hastings Homestead will open to the public starting on Thursday, June 25th. There are no regular hours and tours (approximately one hour long) will be by appointment only (call 207-824-2291 or email [email protected]). Because of the great wealth of original furnishings and artifacts on display, groups will be limited to no more than 4 people per tour, unless special arrangements are made. The cost is $10.00 per person, which goes directly toward the preservation of this National Historic Site.

04/02/2026

Please join us at the Lower Meetinghouse (East Bethel Church) on Saturday, June 6th, as we celebrate the life of Dr. Stanley R. Howe, the 5th and last generation of Hastings descendants to reside at the ca. 1822 Hastings Homestead. Beginning at 2:00 pm, there will be special remarks by family and friends, followed by memories/comments from those attending.

The Lower Meetinghouse and East Bethel Cemetery are located at 1797 Intervale Road, nine miles below Bethel Hill Village.

03/06/2026

Planning is underway for a celebration of the life of Stanley R. Howe at the historic Lower Meetinghouse ("East Bethel Church") on Intervale Road sometime in early June. An exact date a time will be announced here soon. Remarks will be made by Stan's sister, Sue, and brother, Greg, plus longtime friend and colleague, Randy Bennett. All will be welcome and the sharing of memories encouraged.

03/03/2026

To those who have already sent donations to the Hastings Homestead Museum in Stan Howe's memory we extend our sincere thanks. Contributions in any amount can be mailed to P.O. Box 1642, Bethel, ME 04217.

01/16/2026

Did you know ... that the Hastings Homestead is large enough to have included servants' quarters when the ell nearest the barn was remodeled in the late 19th century? Accessed by a winding, third staircase to the second floor, modest quarters for a hired girl and hired man were provided in rooms indicated here by the large dormers closest to the barn. In the 1960s, family members knocked through the walls separating these spaces from the back bedrooms, thus creating four rooms in total available for the family's use.