More than 100 people turned out on Monday, July 16 for the kickoff event for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Hendricks Hill Museum on Southport Island. Ron Orchard, Evelyn Sherman and Jean Thompson, all involved with the museum from its very inception, were on hand to retell stories about the early days. Gerry Gamage narrated a visual presentation of the history of the museum and recounted his own story of getting tired of waiting for snow to melt so he could begin work on the foundation for the addition to the boat house. Finally taking matters into his own hands he painstakingly removed the snow only to wake up one sunny morning a few days later to find that every bit of remaining snow had completely melted away.

Jean Hawley, who has been involved with the museum since the mid-90s, manned a table with examples of some of the interesting artifacts from the museum including a raisin seeder and a very early version of an electric toaster. Over the years Hawley has created and maintained acquisition data bases, served as director, vice president and docent, doing everything from transcribing minutes to baking brownies and, more creatively speaking, worked on projects including the Old House book and the postcard and photo collection.

Cathy Messmer, president of the Friends of the Southport Historical Society and emcee for the evening, outlined upcoming events and encouraged those who are not yet members to join the society whose quest it is to preserve for future generations the rich history of Southport Island.

The celebration events continue through August with the next event being a “Small Talk” on Thursday, Aug. 2, given by Pegi Stengel on Morgan Rhees Jr, a well-known artist long associated with Southport. Stengel has done extensive research on Rhees and will share diverse examples of his works, some of which are on display in the museum. The talk is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the reference room at the museum. Space is limited so please register in advance by calling 633-1102.

For future events watch the “What’s Happening” column of the Register, read the weekly Southport column by Leigh Sherrill or check the website at www.southportmainehistory.com. Better yet, make a trip to the museum and find out what’s going on first hand! While you are there go upstairs and look for Dorothy’s ruby slipper, take a peek inside the little door under the front staircase or ask one of the docents how the museum came to have a British bobby helmet as part of its collection. The museum, located at 419 Hendricks Hill Rd, Southport, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during July and August.