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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Orr's Island Library, Harpswell, Maine -- History and Genealogy Room and War Memorials


Two weeks ago, we were in Maine again and I was able to visit three of the nicest librarians and enjoyed my private tours. The first of this group was the Orr's Island Library, in Harpswell, Maine.

I must not be very observant, because I've been by this library at least 25 times. Thanks to road construction, on the narrow road, we drove at a snails pace, and I finally saw it. Within minutes, we took one of the two empty parking spaces. The small library has one librarian, but don't count that against the library, as she seems to have everything under control. It is open year-round, with a lot of community involvement. There is an annual book sale and fair, yard sale, patrons donate books, stuffed animals, paintings, boats, and other items. The library publishes a very nice quarterly 6-page color flyer called, The Dust Jacket, they have, reading programs and lectures. Last night the topic was, "Harriet Beecher Stow and her connection to Orr's Island." Harriet lived in Brunswick and I was pleased to see her old house renovation project completed (I've taken pictures of the process.)
These six photos were taken in the original front room built 116 years ago, showing the old floor and ceiling. The homey room would be a nice place to linger in to read, chat or use their WiFi.





Robert York Maine History Room
The history and genealogy books are on these shelves, as are books about fishing and sailing.


An addition to the right side of the building was completed in 2009 (photos above and below). The painting (below) was recently donated, and my husband absolutely loved it. I know it's hard to see the old bridge from this picture.

The librarian's desk, without a computer, but she does use library cards. Above, to the right, the photo shows the open door to the new addition built in 2009 (floor and ceiling match the original front room). Below shows the librarians desk again, the computer and desk with sign saying, "We now offer Ancestry Library" and entrance to the genealogy room. The Librarian does genealogy and we had a nice chat about that hobby.

The cabinet greets you as you enter the Library.
Two war memorials are in front of the Library.

Roll  of Honor

DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING NAMED
MEN AND WOMEN OF ORR'S ISLAND
WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF OUR
COUNTRY AND IN THE MERCHANT MARINE
DURING WORLD WAR II, 1941-1945


U. S. ARMY

BAKER, KENNETH E.
GILLIAN, CHARLES E.
JUDKINS, RALPH W.
BANGS, GEORGE H. JR.
GILLIAM, ROY M.
ROBINSON, WILLIS M.
CHASE, BURTON C.
HOUGHTON, RUSSELL
THURSTON, WATSON H.
DOUGHTY, WAITSTILL C.
JOHNSON, ALBERT C.
TIBBETTS, CHARLES E.
FERRIS, GARWOOD
JOHNSON, EDWARD R.
YORK, ALVIA F.

JOHNSON, JOSEPH E.




U. S. NAVY
BANGS, ROBERT B.
DUNLAP, CLYDE A.
ROOFF, EDWIN B.
BOYCE, WILLIAM H.
GILLIAM, ALBERT S.
SHEA, HERBERT G.
BOYCE, GORDON L.
GILLIAM, CHARLES W. JR
SHEA, JOSEPH W.
BAKER, WILLIAM J. C.
GILLIAM, DEWEY, L.
TIBBETTS, HARMON W.JR.
CURRAN, JOHN J.
HILLMAN, ERNEST F. JR.
TODD, CHARLES D.
CURRAN, PHILLIP E.
PRIDE, HAROLD H.
YORK, IRA J. JR.



U. S. MARINE CORPS
WAVES
ARMY NURSE CORPS
JOHNSON, FRANCIS R.
FERRIS, KATHERINE
ROBINSON, EDNA M.




MERCHANT MARINE

ALEXANDER, ROGER H.
GILLIAM, BURTON P.
HARRIS, JOSEPH




U. S. COAST GUARD

BANGS, EDWARD K.

LUBEE, HERBERT E.


"THOSE WHO SERVE ARE THEY
WHO ARE IMMORTAL"

THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED
IN HONOR OF THESE WHO SERVED
IN THE WORLD WAR

ALBERT W. BLACK
CHESTER E. DOUGHTY
HARTLEY L. DOUGHTY
AVERY M. FIDES
HERMAN GREEN
HORACE GREEN
EVERETT HUFF
HUGH JOHNSON
OTIS JUDKINS *
WALTER F. LEEMAN
ISAAC O. LINSCOTT JR.
BLANCHARD W. MATTOX *
ALBERT A. RICHARDSON *
ARTHUR W. RICHARDSON
CHARLES E. RICHARDSON
HERBERT C. SHEA
JULIE M. SHEA
WILLIAM E. STILPHEN
WILLIAM E. SYLVESTER
IRA L. YORK