Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization, PO Box 52, Freedom, ME (2019)

05/30/2019

Freedom Community Historical Society
"YARD SALE"
52 Pleasant St. Saturday,
June 1 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

10/31/2018

Do you have some treasure? Would you like to know what it's worth? Would you like to sell some of your collectibles? Will if the answer is yes to all those questions come on down and spend an evening and find out exactly what you have in your possession that is either Worth or worthless!

05/18/2018

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization

Freedom Residents:
The Freedom Community Historical Society is selling a collector’s item for $25.00. It is a customized mug showing the American Flag on one side and the Keen Hall on the other side with inscriptions. This is a fund raiser that only you can make successful. You can purchase one or more of this beautiful 8 1/2 oz. mugs by calling Myrick Cross at 382-6155. We have a limited supply, so buy yours now.
It will make a memorable gift for that special someone in your life for any occasion.

05/10/2018

Freedom Residents:
The Freedom Community Historical Society is selling a collector’s item for $25.00. It is a customized mug showing the American Flag on one side and the Keen Hall on the other side with inscriptions. This is a fund raiser that only you can make successful. You can purchase one or more of this beautiful 8 1/2 oz. mugs by calling Myrick Cross at 382-6155. We have a limited supply, so buy yours now.
It will make a memorable gift for that special someone in your life for any occasion.

02/04/2018

Town Office, Springvale Farm, Dirigo Grange Hall. The weather was clear and sunny, a bit chilly but beautiful. We had a very nice turnout, Everyone enjoyed the Pot Luck Supper and he Follies was "Fantastic". It was a great day in the neighborhood and a good time was had by all. Thank you to all those that helped put the Winter Festival together, the food and money donations and most of all, thank you for attending.

02/03/2018

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

02/03/2018

Winterfest is underway! Come out enjoy a sleigh ride , skating, sledding , friends!

01/26/2018

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

01/25/2018

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization

FCHS promotes appreciation and understanding of the Town of Freedom, Maine's past heritage as prelude to restoration and development of the future.

01/24/2018

Winter Festival/Freedom Follies Feb 3!!!!

01/13/2018

The Freedom Community Historical Society will be presenting “Winter Festival” on Saturday, February 3, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Springvale Farm located on Pleasant Street (across from the Town Office).The activities will consist of snow shoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, horse and sleigh rides, groomed sledding hill with snowmobile transport back up the hill! And "fat" tire bicycles to try out that new sport. Rec committee has skates you can borrow.

Also, there will be more information to follow regarding Freedom Follies 6 P.M. At the grange hall. Prentice Grassi of Villageside Farm will be the MC for this program. If you would like to perform doing what you like to do, contact Prentice. There will be a pot luck supper to be held before the follies. (Starting at 4:30 P.M) Donations of food and desserts are welcome, there isn’t any charge but money donation are more than welcome and will be greatly appreciated. The Freedom Rec Comm. will be serving hot drinks, food and snacks at the Town Hall during the day and a place to warm up. In the meantime, let’s hope the weather isn’t too cold and that there is enough of snow.

.It takes a lot of planning and different committee’s working together. I hope you will find it in your heart to come on out and have a great time. Show your support. I will update this next week if needed so stay tuned.

12/10/2017

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization

12/10/2017

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

10/28/2017

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization

October 23, 2017

“Local activists put Freedom history on the map ”

Freedom Community Historical Society recently has received two significant accolades, one from the National Park Service and one from the Maine Community Foundation. After completing the restoration of the Old 1857 Town Meting House, the small group of local historic preservation activists turned their attention to an endangered architectural gem in the center of the Village. Keen Hall, which sets on a high promontory of land at the intersection of Rt. 137 and Main Street, through unpaid back taxes, had reverted to Town ownership three years ago and was in danger of demolition.

Originally in the mid 1800s the Keen family homestead had been given to Freedom Academy as the Principal’s residence which it served for many years. Carter B. Keen, an attorney and alumnus was a benefactor of his alma mater, moved to Washington, D.C. and became the first Postmaster Inspector General of the new U.S. Postal Service.

The Academy, founded in 1837 was the first secondary school in this part of the State and had an illustrious history , both as a boarding and commuter school for generations of students from Waldo County and beyond.

The local Historical Society applied for status as a 401(c)(3) non-profit, raised money from individual contributions and purchased Keen Hall from the Town. Shortly thereafter it was listed as one of ten most endangered historically significant properties in the State by the Historic Preservation Commission.

After a long application process, and support from the Commission, Keen Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Park Service. The only other National Register property in Town is the Mill at Freedom Falls, home of the Mill School and the Lost Kitchen eatery.

The Society was recently awarded a grant of $ 13,400. from Maine Community Fund’s Belvedere Fund for historic preservation. Along with several other grants including the Gibson Foundation and the Butler Conservation Fund, the initial stage of jacking the building and pouring a new foundation can be started.

Long-range plans for the building include a Freedom Academy Archives Room, a small town library, Historical Society work, archival and exhibit space, local arts and crafts exhibit areas, small group meeting space and a one-bedroom apartment.

The Society meets monthly the second Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Town Office and sponsors several community events such as the “Freedom Follies,” a Winter Festival, and this December 9th is planning the First Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Keen Hall, followed by a Potluck and Contra Dance at Dirigo Grange Hall.

Individual donations can be made to support the Society’s work at FCHS, P.O. Box 52, Freedom, Maine 04941 or through the web site at freedomhistory.org.

Submitted by Myrick Cross, President
Freedom Community Historical Society
P.O. Box 52
Freedom, Maine 04941
513.722.6249
[email protected]

Freedom Community Historical Society
________________________________________________
Honoring the Past Envisioning the Future

10/28/2017

October 23, 2017

“Local activists put Freedom history on the map ”

Freedom Community Historical Society recently has received two significant accolades, one from the National Park Service and one from the Maine Community Foundation. After completing the restoration of the Old 1857 Town Meting House, the small group of local historic preservation activists turned their attention to an endangered architectural gem in the center of the Village. Keen Hall, which sets on a high promontory of land at the intersection of Rt. 137 and Main Street, through unpaid back taxes, had reverted to Town ownership three years ago and was in danger of demolition.

Originally in the mid 1800s the Keen family homestead had been given to Freedom Academy as the Principal’s residence which it served for many years. Carter B. Keen, an attorney and alumnus was a benefactor of his alma mater, moved to Washington, D.C. and became the first Postmaster Inspector General of the new U.S. Postal Service.

The Academy, founded in 1837 was the first secondary school in this part of the State and had an illustrious history , both as a boarding and commuter school for generations of students from Waldo County and beyond.

The local Historical Society applied for status as a 401(c)(3) non-profit, raised money from individual contributions and purchased Keen Hall from the Town. Shortly thereafter it was listed as one of ten most endangered historically significant properties in the State by the Historic Preservation Commission.

After a long application process, and support from the Commission, Keen Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Park Service. The only other National Register property in Town is the Mill at Freedom Falls, home of the Mill School and the Lost Kitchen eatery.

The Society was recently awarded a grant of $ 13,400. from Maine Community Fund’s Belvedere Fund for historic preservation. Along with several other grants including the Gibson Foundation and the Butler Conservation Fund, the initial stage of jacking the building and pouring a new foundation can be started.

Long-range plans for the building include a Freedom Academy Archives Room, a small town library, Historical Society work, archival and exhibit space, local arts and crafts exhibit areas, small group meeting space and a one-bedroom apartment.

The Society meets monthly the second Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Town Office and sponsors several community events such as the “Freedom Follies,” a Winter Festival, and this December 9th is planning the First Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting at Keen Hall, followed by a Potluck and Contra Dance at Dirigo Grange Hall.

Individual donations can be made to support the Society’s work at FCHS, P.O. Box 52, Freedom, Maine 04941 or through the web site at freedomhistory.org.

Submitted by Myrick Cross, President
Freedom Community Historical Society
P.O. Box 52
Freedom, Maine 04941
513.722.6249
[email protected]

Freedom Community Historical Society
________________________________________________
Honoring the Past Envisioning the Future

10/10/2017

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

10/07/2017

Clearing trees around the Keen Hall Project.

02/07/2017

No dates or information, only pictures of the Freedom Academy being built.

02/07/2017

I will be posting pictures that were given to the Freedom Community Historical Society of the Freedom Academy while being built. I don't have any other information, as to the date, etc. They were given by someone who would like to remain anonymous.

01/24/2017

Join us for a fun time at the Winter Festival on Saturday, February 18, 2017. There will be sleigh rides, ice fishing, sledding, snowmobile rides, cross country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, hot dogs, hot drinks, stew or soup and cookies. Also there will be a potluck supper at 4:30. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a day of old fashioned winter fun!

01/04/2017

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

12/23/2016

Freedom Community Historical Society receives grant for Keen Hall

Freedom — Freedom Community Historical Society announced Dec. 16 it has received a $25,000 grant from the Butler Conservation Fund toward the cost of preserving Keen Hall in Freedom Village.

11/19/2016

Here are some photos that I received of the acts from the Freedom Fall Follies.

11/19/2016

Here are some pictures submitted of the acts at the Freedom Fall Follies. I hope you enjoy them. We have Joseph Grassi playing the fiddle Martha Story Foisy reciting poetry Catherine Cross singing Silent Night and dedicated to her mother in heaven, Brian Jones singing and playing the guitar,

11/17/2016

Held at the Grange, a night filled with laughs, love and great entertainment.

11/15/2016

Freedom in General

10/20/2016

Freedom Community Historical Society- Non-Profit Organization's cover photo

10/14/2016

Freedom Community Historical Society:

There was an election of officers at the October 12 meeting. Stepping down as President, Viola Greeley held this office for decades. Thank you Viola for your many years of leadership. The newly elected officers for 2016-2017 are as follows: Myrick Cross, President, David Adamson Vice President, Kate Flynn, Secretary and Paul Flynn, Treasurer. Congratulations to the new officers.

SAVE THE DATE;

There will be a Fall Follies held at the Dirigo #98 Grange Hall (RT.137) on Saturday, November 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. It will be the Second Annual Freedom Fall Follies. We are seeking talent! If you have some talent in any type of area, such as singing, playing an instrument, comedian, story teller, dancer, juggler, poetry, no matter what, we want live acts. Any type of entertainment. Refreshments will be served, and there will be a 50-50 raffle. Donations accepted at the door. Please contact Paul Flynn, 314-5525 or David Adamson,

10/05/2016

October 2014 working on cleaning the outside of Keen Hall. Working is Myrick Cross, Brian Jones Paul & Martha Story Foisey, serving refreshments, Lorraine Overlock, Marilyn Perry and Sallyann Hadyniak, Sorry if I overlooked anyone,

10/02/2016

Visiting Volunteer Cleaning Crew gathers in front of Keen Hall in Freedom on Saturday, October 1 with hostess Marilyn, following a successful emptying of the historic property.
Thank you guys, and Marilyn for a job well done.

09/10/2016

August 17m 2016 Historical Society BBQ and meeting at the Cross Homestead.

08/24/2016

Freedom Farm Days

It was a beautiful day for a parade and to spend some time in the park. There wasn’t any humidity, cool breezes, and lots of sunshine, blue skies, family, friends and neighbors.

08/21/2016

Some pictures from the Freedom Farm Days Parade August 20, 2016

08/19/2016

Post Office Square, Freedom, Maine

Note the skyline of this image which does not include telephone and telegraph wires. Perhaps it was taken before rural electrification reached Freedom, Maine. This image is part of the Wittemann collection which is a large set of photographs taken by members of the Wittemann family, made into postca...

07/21/2016

Freedom Town News

The Freedom Booster and Recreational Committee is planning a community event in Freedom on August 20. It will be a community

07/06/2016

Town Of Freedom Turning 200 years Old | WABI TV5

The town of Freedom will celebrate their 200th birthday this weekend.The festivities kickoff Friday night at 7:00 with a birthday celebration at the Old Me

06/28/2016

Freedom Bicentennial

06/17/2016

Given by the Freedom Community Historical Society. Local talent and a well atended night,

06/17/2016

ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing, sledding, etc. Hot drinks were available at the Town Office by the Rec. Comm. It was below ZERO Temps, which kept many at home in their warm houses,. Those that were there had a great time..