Hallowell 1820: A Celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial
1820: A Celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial
Hallowell is celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial just a year late. “Old Hallowell” has a great story to tell regardless of the date!
It is the birthplace of the Maine State Seal and the State Capital for a few brief hours.
On-line now! Hallowell Salutes Maine’s Bicentennial – A thirty-five minute video presentation of the City’s Celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial. Ron Kley, Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead Archivist describes the design of Maine’s State Seal. Earle Shettleworth, Jr., Maine State Historian, explains how Hallowell was almost the state capital. Available for viewing at the DigitalMaineRepository. https://vimeo.com/534998291
April 26, 2021 – The 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the town of Hallowell Commemorative Publication of Hallowell in Olden Times –Columns from the Hallowell Gazette – Introduction by Earle Shettleworth, Jr.Row House, Inc., Hallowell historical society, brings back the memories of the city in the late 18th and early 19th centuries provided Hallowell natives Alpheus Lyon, resident of Bangor, and the mysterious Senex living somewhere “out west.” Originally published from August 15, 1863 to February 20, 1864. Order a copy. www.rowhouseinc.org
Reimagining the State Seal – Honoring the historic elements while also contemplating how Maine has grown and changed in 200 years. A display at the Hubbard Free Library opening April 27, 2021.
Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead sponsored a contest inviting artists to re-imagine the Maine State Seal. The winning design will be officially unveiled as part of Maine’s Bicentennial Celebration. www.vaughanwoods.org www.hubbardfree.org
A Dress Designed for Discovery – On Display beginning June 1, 2021 at the Hubbard Free Library. The discovery of history and celebration of events can take on many forms. Katie Concannon, summer intern at Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead, created a dress to explain how she saw Hallowell women’s history.
Hallowell’s Walking the Homestead – Opening June 2021 Ground and Gardens of Vaughan Homestead. While the Vaughan Homestead has been closed to visitors during the COVID pandemic the Vaughan Woods have been and a new self-guided tour will allow visitors to enjoy the grounds surrounding the Homestead to celebrate statehood, the summer season and the incorporation of the town of Hallowell. www.vaughanwoods.org
Tour of Old Hallowell in 1820 when Maine became a state! July 17,2021
The plan was that Row House would rent a trolley for Old Hallowell Day and offer guided tours of buildings around town two hundred years ago. A self-guided tour map will allow a step back in time. Copies of the map will be available around town and online. www.rowhouseinc.org
Hallowell’s Historic Mural – Raising the Curtain August 2021 (exact date to be determined) 89 Water Street.
Chris Cart, noted muralist, has been researching, designing and painting his largest work to date, a detailed painting 20-feet wide and 30-feet high. The painting will be affixed to the north wall of the former Knights of Pythias building at the corner of Winthrop and Water Streets in Hallowell. www.hallowellmural.org
Hallowell Granite Symposium – September 10 through 21, 2021 – Steven Commons
Bringing together diverse groups: artisans, historians, city officials and committees, to commemorate Maine’s bicentennial by connecting to Hallowell’s unique past. A special presentation on the story of the granite industry in Hallowell will formally launch the symposium. Presented by Vision Hallowell in cooperation with the Maine Stone Workers Guild. www.hallowellgranitesymposium.org
Blue Stocking Society – Voices of Hallowell Women – October 2021 – Display and Discussion – Hubbard Free Library in cooperation with Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead. The Blue Stockings Society was an informal women’s social and educational movement founded as a literary discussion group, a step away from traditional, non-intellectual women’s activities. The Peabody Sisters came to Hallowell from Massachusetts to support the education of local girls and women. They developed long-term relationships documented in letters painstakingly transcribed by volunteers at the Homestead. www.vaughanwoods.org
Check the Maine’s Bicentennial Calendar for more information.
