Boothbay Region Historical Society celebrates 50 years

KATRINA RICKERMANN, News Contributor
Tue, 08/08/2017 - 7:00pm
President Kathy Tibbetts, left, checks in with trustee Sarah Giles, who handed out cake and ice cream to visitors at the Aug. 6 celebration. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
Ben Betts, local musician, plays the guitar and steel drums. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
Visitors Linda Thompson, left, and Terri Reynolds (with the dog, Jack), right, on either side of the homemade telephone donated by their maternal grandmother, “Hot Rod Helen.” KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
Crowds gather and take pictures around Charlie Bamberg’s vintage 1957 pumper truck. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
Boothbay Region Historical Society museum. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
A homemade telephone, using the same principle used in kids’ tree houses with tin cans and string. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register
Signs in front of the Historical Society welcome visitors. KATRINA RICKERMANN/Boothbay Register

    The tent was up and the music was flowing on the lawn of Boothbay Region Historical Society on Sunday, Aug. 6 as the community and volunteers celebrated the Society’s 50th year.

    “It’s about the families,” said Kathy Tibbetts, who became president of the organization in March. “Families come and like to learn about their history, about what Boothbay used to be like. People also like to learn about the properties they own in the area.”

    According to Tibbetts, people contact the organization on an almost daily basis, and Barbara Rumsey, well-known local historian, does everything she can to answer each and every one.

    “We have a phenomenal resource room in the back,” Tibbetts said. “And Barbara does amazing work. I’ve known her for years; she does a truly fantastic job.”

    Volunteers handed out cake and ice cream under a large tent on the side lawn, while local musician Ben Betts played the guitar and steel drums.

    Inside the museum, more volunteers greeted visitors and encouraged them to play the “Focus on 50” scavenger hunt game, a search to find the 50 pieces of the museum’s collection being highlighted. They include items such as a lens from Ram Island Lighthouse, a sailmaker’s bench, a unique homemade telephone, and a high school yearbook from 1967.

    Also out on the lawn was Charlie Bamberg with his 1957 “International Pumper” fire truck. Bamberg said he bought it at an auction at Owls Head, “as a bit of a joke, on a whim,” intending to sell it for scrap.

    “Within three days, we fell in love with it. That was seven years ago,” Bamberg said. Bamberg encouraged visitors to the museum to take their picture in the truck.

    “We’re on a wonderful path,” Tibbetts said. “I’m very thankful that we have the support of our community and volunteers.”

    The scavenger hunt continues at the museum. Visitors can play it whenever they stop in. The museum is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A local historian is available on Wednesdays between 1 and 3 p.m. by appointment only and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., no appointment necessary. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.

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