The Lincoln County Historical Association netted over $15,000 at a festive event the evening of July 23 on the grounds of the historic Pownalborough Court House in Dresden.  Some 100 people attended the party, called Kermess — a Dutch word for an outdoor fundraising festival.  The proceeds will be used to support LCHA’s work in maintaining its three historic properties, and in carrying out its educational programs.

Fortified with liquid refreshments at an outdoor bar beneath the grape arbor, guests then walked around the lovely grounds overlooking the Kennebec River and toured the 1761 court house building.

Dinner was served under a large tent set up in front of the court house.  The guests gathered at round tables adorned with flowers donated by Kermess committee members and enjoyed period music by Castlebay.

This year’s signature entree was prepared by Ben Brown of Mainely Pig Roasts, who arrived on site at daybreak to fire up his charcoal grill and begin the ten-hour roasting process. Wiscasset resident Jorge Pena created a meatless South American-inspired dinner for vegetarians.

For the dessert course, 10 exquisite homemade cakes were auctioned off during a Cake Walk, which brought fun and amusement to the event.  Thanks to the entertaining auctioneering of Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, the cakes raised almost $2,000.  After that, spirited bidding stimulated by Veilleux brought in almost $4,000 for a number of popular experiential items such as vacation cabins, a catered dinner for six, a day at a spa and an airplane ride over Midcoast Maine.

Faye Snyder, a member of the LCHA Collections Committee, presented her initiative to preserve and frame 18th century samplers that had recently been discovered to be in danger of disintegration due to inadequate conservation. During the event, three samplers were adopted for a total value of nearly $1,000.  Another four were adopted early the following week. A raffle for gift certificates at 10 local restaurants also added to the evening’s success.

Major sponsors of the event were Ames True Value and First National Bank.  LCHA thanks all who participated as sponsors, patrons, donors, or attendees.

The non-profit LCHA provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For more information, please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine).