Readfield Historical Society

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Readfield Historical Society Readfield Historical Society exists to preserve the rich heritage of Readfield, Maine and its people. RHS is housed in what was an old schoolhouse.

Built in 1853, this two-story building accommodated a schoolroom on the first floor and a chapel upstairs. When the chapel moved to a building of its own, the older classes were moved upstairs, thus making a two-room schoolhouse. RHS has a small Library/Archives containing genealogical information, ledgers from Readfield businesses from the 1800's and early 1900's, Town Reports for Readfield, old letters and photographs, town records from the early 1800's-1900's, church records from 1800's, as well as an assortment of Town Reports from surrounding communities. The bulk of RHS exhibits is located on the second floor, which is handicapped accessible, with a stair- chair lift and a wheelchair and walker available at the second floor landing. We have a Farm section, a Home and Family Life section, a transportation area, a section on Churches and Civic Organizations and a Grange corner. As we receive more items, exhibits change, so we are constantly improving. The center of our exhibit floor is taken up with flat exhibits hung on dividers and display cases filled with small items and documents.

The Readfield History Hour episode this week will be about the origin of the Readfield Historical Society, founded 41 ye...
10/10/2026

The Readfield History Hour episode this week will be about the origin of the Readfield Historical Society, founded 41 years ago. The story is told by one of the founders, Dale Potter Clark in a 2016 interview conducted by Sydney Greene, who was an RHS intern at the time. This episode will air Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 7pm and on Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm. Random reruns will air M-W-F at 4:00 pm. Tune in on Readfield Radio 94.5 FM or livestream by following the link in comments below.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 12th at 6:00 pm when the Readfield and Winthrop Historical Societies will co-...
10/08/2026

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 12th at 6:00 pm when the Readfield and Winthrop Historical Societies will co-host this interesting historical program!

PHOTO CAPTION: Jackie Fournier will present a program on Colonial medicine as Dr. Samuel Colman at the Winthrop History and Heritage Center on November

Taken at the Readfield Grange Fair in the 1950s. Enza Turner (L) and Charlie Elvin center. We need your help with identi...
10/02/2026

Taken at the Readfield Grange Fair in the 1950s. Enza Turner (L) and Charlie Elvin center. We need your help with identifying the woman on the right.

Pumpkin contest at the Readfield Grange Fair year unknown. Taken in the exhibition hall. Far left is Enza Turner, center Charlie Elvin. Right unknown but she looks SO VERY familiar we cannot bring up a name! Can anyone help?

The Readfield History Hour episode this week is about the famous and historic Baptist minister and missionary Rev. Isaac...
10/02/2026

The Readfield History Hour episode this week is about the famous and historic Baptist minister and missionary Rev. Isaac Case of East Readfield. It airs Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Also, random reruns of the Readfield History Hour air on M_W_F at 4 pm on Readfield Radio 94.5 FM on your radio dial or livestream the show via https://sites.google.com/readfieldmaine.gov/readfield-radio/digital-streaming

This episode of Readfield History Hour, Asa Gile part II is the rr-run this week on M-W-F at 4:00 p.m., if you missed it...
09/29/2026

This episode of Readfield History Hour, Asa Gile part II is the rr-run this week on M-W-F at 4:00 p.m., if you missed it last week.

The Readfield History Hour broadcast this week will explore the history of the Readfield Grange  #217 which was organize...
09/25/2026

The Readfield History Hour broadcast this week will explore the history of the Readfield Grange #217 which was organized on March 24, 1876, with 38 charter members. Early Meetings were held for over two decades in members' private homes or local halls (such as E.O. Beane's hall) before a dedicated building was constructed. The Grange Hall was built on land given by the Methodist Society on Church Road and completed in 1897 at a cost of about $1,500. It served as a hub for agricultural education, social gatherings, a large community lending library started in 1889, and the annual Readfield Grange Fairs. Listen to the Readfield History Hour on 94.5 FM if you are in town, or stream it via the link below. Air Times: Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and repeats Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Random reruns air M-W-F at 4:00 p.m. Included are just a few of the many Grange photos in our collection. Enjoy! https://sites.google.com/readfieldmaine.gov/readfield-radio/digital-streaming

09/18/2026

What a day it was. Thank you to all that came to watch and support this historic day.
Thank you to the amazing crew of Preservation Timber Frame for crafting something so beautiful and getting it set safely in place.

The episode this week is Asa Gile part II - the first time airing will be Saturday Sept. 19th at 10am which will be abou...
09/18/2026

The episode this week is Asa Gile part II - the first time airing will be Saturday Sept. 19th at 10am which will be about Asa Gile later in his life, his marriage and business ventures. Also, when he donated the old Capt. John Smith house to the Union Meeting House for their vestry and had it moved to its present location. Then he built his mansion house in its place on Main Street, and later the Elmwood Hotel next to it. there is MUCH more about Gile in part II so be sure to listen in. Can read on for a little more about Asa Gile episodes I and II and when, where and how to tune in. Photos are AI generated and meant to create an atmosphere for the story and not to be precise in size, design and orientation.
Have you attended a meeting or event at Gile Hall on Old Kents Hill Road or at Capt. John Smith Hall on Church Road. Have you admired the 1868 renovation on the inside of the Union Meting House; or stood in awe at the sight of the Iron Fence Inn on Main Street and wondered about its origin and story? You can thank Asa Gile for the existence of the above and more. On the next TWO episodes of the Readfield History Hour you will hear Asa Gile's story - there was too much to share in one hour so our host, Dale Potter-Clark wrote two episodes. They will air a total of six times each week as every new episode does. In this case, Asa Gile part I will air on Sept. 12th and part II on September 19th,. The "Readfield History Hour" on Readfield Radio can be heard at 94.5 FM or streamed live via the link below, on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday at at 4:00 p.m. Random reruns of previous shows can be heard on M-W-F every week at 4:00 p.m. You can
stream Readfield History Hour via this link. https://sites.google.com/readfieldmaine.gov/readfield-radio/digital-streaming

Here are a bunch of screen shots we grabbed from the video when the Readfield Union Meeting House bell and spire (steepl...
09/17/2026

Here are a bunch of screen shots we grabbed from the video when the Readfield Union Meeting House bell and spire (steeple) were raised yesterday. What an amazing thing to watch!! The video is over 3 hours so if you do not have time to watch it click through theses photos quickly and you will get a pretty good sense of how it went. By the way, the video will disappear after 30 days (per Facebook) so be sure to watch it before then if you want to see it all. Thank you one and all for all the fundraising, grant writing, donations and hard work that made this all possible!! A GREAT and historic day for Readfield!!

Address

759 Main Street
Readfield, ME
04355

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