· Web view350 North Main Street (Birthplace and childhood home of Civil War hero General Joshua Lawrence. Chamberlain) Chamberlain) Early American Cape Cod house, 1 storey, built

BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER       “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history”

                                           Winter 2019                                FOLLOW THE BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT OUR WEBSITE : brewerhistoricalsociety.org AND

FACEBOOK: Brewer Historical Society

CONTACT US AT: [email protected]                                    T.C. Hanna , editor (989-2245)  

(FOLLOW BREWER HISTORY ON FACEBOOK: “You knew you grew up in Brewer Maine when….”

Sled in winter with a man and a woman ready for a ride The Brewer Historical Society would like to thank the following corporate sponsors and supporters

Camden National BankCity of BrewerBrewer Federal Credit UnionBrewer High School Air Force Junior ROTCBrewer Parks and RecreationCreative Print Services (Ray Curran)Northern Lights HealthJoseph Ferris, Esq.Getchell Brothers Inc.Gold Star CleanersGreen Thumb Lawn ServiceKiwanisMarsh Property ManagementPeople’s United Bank Rand / Rand DentistryTradeWinds Convenience Store

                        FRIENDS OF CHAMBERLAIN FREEDOM PARKGifford ElectricCross InsuranceAllen / Freeman / McDonnell InsuranceMachias Savings BankMarsh Property ManagementBrewer Federal Credit Union(Thank you for your support of Chamberlain Freedom Park and the Brewer Historical Society)

The Brewer Historical Society newsletter is copied using the facilities at Northern Lights Health. Thank you to Northern Lights Health and their staff.)

PLEASE NOTE NEW SCHEDULE FOR MEETINGS

Because of winter weather, the Brewer Historical Society will not have monthly membership meetings during : January….February….March

Membership Meetings will resume on the second Tuesday of the month in April. This is the annual membership meeting and will include accomplishments for the year and plans for the future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Board of Directors meeting will not be regularly scheduled for the months of December…January…February.

They will resume the last Monday of the month starting in March

If any questions or concerns please contact Charlotte Thompson at 989-6165

___________________________________________________________________________ “Life is lived in the present but understood through the past." …….Kierkegaard

If you enjoy “Facebook”, be sure to “Like” us on the new Brewer Historical Society “Facebook” page. It keeps you up to date on events, photos, meetings history and links. Brittany Goetting is administering the “Facebook” page as well as monitoring the website. Contact Brittany at: [email protected] if you have any questions or suggestions

The Brewer Historical Society Resource Center is open most Mondays during the winter months from 9AM to 11AM. If you have a research inquiry or have a donation to the Historical Society, please contact David Hanna at 989-2245 or [email protected] to make an appointment

                                             Gerald Doane Flies into Brewer Airport with Co-pilot cat, “Squeeky

Three Doanes at Doane Brothers Airport (Now Brewer Airport).Cindy Doane Perrone, Gerald H. Doane and Frances Doane Verow.October 16, 2018. (Today, rust has all but obliterated the Doane Aiport sign on the hangar)

This is an excerpt from an article that is scheduled to be published in “Memories of Maine” this spring. ”Memories of Maine” is distributed free throughout the area and the Brewer Historical Society will have some issues for its members

………….Gerald Doane makes his approach to the mowed grass landing field of Brewer Airport. “Squeeky”, his cat co-pilot is undisturbed by the soft landing and Gerald’s annual flight from wintering in Florida is concluded. Gerald is returning to the dream of an airport began by his father Gordon, and his uncle George; the Doane brothers. Gerald taxis his plane to the 70 year old hangar built by Gordon and George, although the letters “Doane’s Airport Inc.” are almost erased by the rust of time

An area of land that is off Elm Street in South Brewer was once owned by George and Gordon Doane, and has been used as a flying field since before World War II. It is through the vision of George and Gordon Doane that airplanes are still flying into Brewer Airport and engaging the passion of today’s pilots.

George Doane had returned to school out west in the 1930s to build airplanes. During WWII he worked as a mechanic at Dow Air force Base in Bangor. As a civilian, he worked for Eastern Manufacturing Company in the garage as a mechanic. He then became a plumber in the area until retirement.

George’s brother, Gordon, was a WWII veteran in the India, Burma and China theatre of operations. He was a member of the Army Air Corps. In civilian life, Gordon was also was an employee of Eastern Manufacturing Company.

Before WWII, George and Gordon cleared some of their land to be used as an airfield. They also built an office building. The site has been operational since 1935; however, the realization of an incorporated airport would have to wait until the end of the war.

Doan Airport, later Brewer Airport, was originally created as a partnership between George and Gordon Doane. They named the operation “Doane Airport, Incorporated” and had the name painted on the airport hangar. Later, they were joined in ownership by George Sailor, an Orono businessman. Around 1949 Gordon Doane sold his share of the partnership to George Sailor, so at that time Mr. Sailor had controlling interest in the airport.

George Sailor changed the name of the site from Doane Airport to Brewer Airport and the business name of the company to Penobscot Aviation. During this period the airport offered flight instruction and had a series of airport managers. At that time there were two runways, a hanger, a “T” hanger, a maintenance building, an operations building and gas pumps. “Brewer” was painted on the “T” hanger roof and red checks on the maintenance building.

Today, you can’t help wondering, as you walk through the almost 70 year old airport site, if there wasn’t a way to bring it back. It’s all still there. You believe that it could be Doane Airport again, for this airport is a part of Brewer history and heritage. No matter what the outcome of its future, you can’t be there without feeling a small part of what the pilots, mechanics, operation managers and kids feel who “just want to hang around planes.”

Brewer Register of Historic Places

The Brewer Register of Historic Places is a program developed in cooperation with the Brewer Historical Society and the City of Brewer. It has been active for over 6 years. There are presently 29 sites on the Register and include historic homes and sites. This program has been important in maintaining the historical integrity of Brewer and is an integral part of the community. In this issue of the Newsletter, we will begin a review of these sites. You can check all the sites involved on the Brewer Historical Society webpage (brewerhistoricalsociety.org). Click under “places”. We wish to thank those individuals who have placed their homes and historical sites on the Register. If you have a house that is over 100 years of age, you are eligible for the program. There are no requirement as to what you can do with the house. The program is a way to recognize Brewer’s historical heritage.(Please contact David Hanna at 989-2245 or [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to list your property)

An Overview of the Brewer Register of Historic Places Program

The Brewer Register of Historic Places is a program to increase awareness of Brewer’s history by developing a registry that recognizes houses over 100 years old, residences of historic figures and important historic city sites. The program is a partnership between the City of Brewer and the Brewer Historical Society. This register is open to all Brewer property owners and is a non-regulatory recognition of the value of Brewer’s past history.

The City of Brewer, through the City Council’s Historic Resources Advisory Board, provides a clearing house for historic place registration. The Brewer Historical Society maintains the documentation of the Registry.

The program will be promoted to the citizens of Brewer as a way to become actively involved in the City’s history by displaying a sign on the outside of a qualified property that depicts the homeowner’s naming of the house, the date the property was built, a replica of the historic Brewer seal and the Brewer Historical Society designation at the bottom. A Historic Resources Advisory Board member will interview the property owner, complete an architectural and historical history, provide a historical deed chain for the records and the homeowner, and arrange for the historical sign. The owner will pay a nominal fee for the sign. All records, photographs, and historical information will be archived by the Brewer Historical Society.

At the time the sign is produced, the property owner will be notified and the sign will be presented to the property owner and the property recognized as being part of the Brewer Register of Historic Places.

                                Selected Brewer Register of Historic Places Sites

(A complete listing of places on the Brewer Register of Historic Places is available on our website brewerhistoricalsociety.org. There are now 30 sites and many are within walking distance of the Brewer “Waterfront Trail”)

1. 350 North Main Street (Birthplace and childhood home of Civil War hero General Joshua Lawrence. Chamberlain)

Early American Cape Cod house, 1 storey, built in 1818 and rebuilt using dormers in 1900 into a Gothic Cottage style house.

This house located at 350 North Main Street was the birthplace and early childhood home of Civil War hero General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. The Chamberlain family lived here until around 1835 when they moved to their newly built larger house at what is now 80 Chamberlain Street. The 1818 house is an Early American one storey Cape Cod house; rebuilt, incorporating dormers and a Palladian window about 1900 into a Gothic Cottage style house. The house was placed on the Brewer Register of Historic places by owner Dr. Daniel Moellentin in 2012.

2. 5 East Summer Street (Fiddlehead Inn)

Victorian 2.5 storey house with Queen Anne features, built around 1885 This well preserved house located at 5 East Summer was built around 1885 and is a fine example of a 2.5 storey Victorian with Queen Anne features. The interior has many excellent architectural features and was formerly a Bed and Breakfast. The house was placed on the Brewer Register of Historic Places by owner Saundra Haley.

3. 173 Wilson Street (Fannie Hardy Eckstorm house)

Classical Revival, mid19th Century, 1.5 storeys with many original external details still present. Wide corner boards, door lights, likely original clapboards.

This house was built in the mid1800s. In 1900, the house was purchased for Maine author and naturalist, Fannie Hardy Eckstorm by her father Manly Hardy. Fannie Hardy Eckstorm achieved national prominence for her writing and naturalist skills. She spent her life experiencing and writing about the Maine woods including its flora and fauna. She also archived Maine music and was recognized as an excellent folklorist. The house was placed on the Brewer Register of Historic Places by owner’s Ernest and Dr. Teresa Steele

4. 57 Parker Street: (Parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Brewer from 1873-1922) )

Early American Style, 1.5 storeys, Cape Cod with door window. Built pre-Civil War.

This house was built prior to the Civil War and was at one time owned by Joseph Baker who, in 1873, donated the property as a parsonage to the trustees of the Brewer Methodist-Episcopal Church (which is now at 40 South Main Street). It remained the parsonage until 1922 when a new parsonage (now gone) was purchased. The house was placed on the Brewer Registry by present owner Bill Grant

New Flag for Chamberlain-Freedom Park Flown over Capital

The American Flag which flies over Chamberlain-Freedom Park will be be replaced this spring with a new flag donated by Senator Angus King that was flown over the United States Capital in Washington. Brewer Historical Society Board member, Archie Verow, met with Senator King at a local event and obtained the Senator’s authorization for the flag. He presented it to Board member Jean Lyford at the October meeting of the Brewer Historical Society. A formal ceremony will take place in the spring at the park, at which time the new flag will be raised. The certificate which accompanied the flag states that the flag had been flown over the capital in behalf of Chamberlain-Freedom Park and is signed by Senator King. Senator King’s respect and admiration for General Chamberlain is well known to those who have heard him speak and he was a supporter of the dedication of the park.

A special thank you to Bill Grant for providing historical photos of J.J. Nissen Bakery for Geaghan Brother’s Brewery in Brewer. Bill had worked at the bakery for many years and

when Geaghan Brother’s wanted some historical pictures for their tasting room, Bill was able to provide some for them. Thank you Bill.

Speakers Gallery

The October 2018 membership meeting featured Carol Smith, former President of the Brewer Garden and Bird Club. The Brewer Garden and Bird Club is celebrating its 85th anniversary and over the years has made a considerable contribution to the community. From its inception in 1933 the club has made displays and promoted gardening that have been important beautification, education and social functions in Brewer. The club is part of a national federation of garden clubs that communicate ideas and programs throughout the country.

The November 2018 membership meeting talk was by Brittany Goetting. Brittany is a Doctoral student at U of Maine and is now on the Board of the Brewer Historical Society. Brittany discussed the role of social media and how the Brewer Historical Society can use it effectively. She showed the new Brewer Historical Society Facebook page and discussed all the options it presents for promoting the organization. She also discussed the group use demographics to determine who would use the medium. The interesting discussion that followed opened up some exciting new areas for the Society to explore.

New City Liaison to the Brewer Historical Society

The Brewer City Council provides a historical liaison to the Brewer Historical Society. This important relationship with the City allows for good communication within the community and allows for the special relationship between the Brewer Historical Society and the City of Brewer. It is also one of the most important methods of allowing the City Council to be kept current on historical events. The City Liaison appointed by the City Council for the last few years has been Councilor Matthew Vachon. Matt has been invaluable in allowing the programs and contributions of the Historical Society to be known to the City and the Historical Society provided Councilor Vachon with a Certificate of Appreciation at a recent City Council meeting. Matt will continue to be part of the Historical Society and will be of invaluable assistance.

The new City Council has appointed Thomas Morelli to be our next Historical Liaison. Tom’s interest and appreciation of Brewer’s history will make him a welcome member of the Board and we look forward to his input. 

Letter from Brewer Historical President Charlotte Thompson:

Greetings to all the members and friends of BHS.  We had a good 2018 and many thanks to the board and volunteers for making it possible.  The Spaghetti Supper was a great contribution to the City of Brewer.  

With the start of 2019, in the spring, we will be looking for new ideas, lots of enthusiasm and help on projects.  Together we will accomplish a satisfying 2019.

And so to you all I wish good health, prosperity and friendship.

Happy New Year from your President.

The Brewer Historical Society Accomplishments in 2018

…..2018 was the Centennial of the end of World War I. The Brewer historical Society, as part of the regional WWI Committee, provided numerous oral presentations and educational displays to organizations, the Brewer Auditorium, schools, and businesses. A special display case was developed for the Brewer Community School. 

…..The Historical Society continued to modify Chamberlain-Freedom Park.  New advertising space (to the Brewer Federal Credit Union and Marsh Property Management) was provided. The Park grounds were maintained by professional service. A new interpretive sign for the “North to Freedom” statue was created and will be inserted this spring. A new flag was presented to the Brewer Historical Society by Senator Angus King. It had been flown over the U.S. Capital and will be installed this spring.

…..The Clewley Museum barn was repaired and a window replaced. The outside stairs are being re-painted. Inside, the upstairs storeroom was completed and a Military Display room begun on the first floor. 

…...The Resource Center obtained all the written records from the First Congregational Church. These records began in 1800 and have many original documents. They are being accessed and catalogued for research.

….The annual “Brewer Days” Spaghetti Supper and Silent Auction has become a major fund-raiser for our annual scholarship program and also has become a part of the “Brewer Days” festivities.

…..The display cases in the “Brewer Community School” included a special World War I display informing students of the important effects of the war. In addition, the Brewer Historical Society continues to maintain a display case emphasizing the history of Brewer.

…..The organization continued its scholarship program at Brewer High School. $1000 is presented to a high school senior for his or her education. The scholarship emphasizes community service and an essay about the importance of Brewer’s history to the student.

….An active technology program was expanded, It includes an exciting new Facebook page with events, photos and much more, an ongoing website that includes all new copies of the Brewer Historical Society Newsletter, photos, and the scanning 1200 pages of the one-of-a-kind copy of the Brewer Register for the Maine State Library and our records.

It is time for members to begin thinking about your annual membership renewal. The renewal date is April 1st, but early payment is always appreciated. If you are a new member since August 2018, your dues have been paid through 2019. If you are presently an honorary member because of listing your home on the Brewer Register of Historic Places or a courtesy member because of being a speaker in 2018, please consider becoming an active member.

Dues

Active individual………………….$20Active family…………………… $30Lifetime………………………… $200

Corporate ………………………. .$100

Please send a check made out to Brewer Historical Society. You can mail your check to Brewer Historical Society, PO Box 602, Brewer, ME 04412. You can also pay at membership meetingsFor more information please contact TC Hanna at 989-2245

Recipe for this newsletter was originally in the September 2010 issue.

Wiener Schnitzel by Helga Kittredge.  This recipe originated in Helga’s native Austria where it was often a Sunday special dinner.

Helga and Ron are long time members of Brewer Historical Society

5 slices of veal (1 lb serves four)Salt and pepper1 egg, beatenFlour and bread-crumbs(seasoned or plain)Oil and butter

Pound veal slices until fairly thin, and season with salt and pepper.  Make an assembly line: dip the veal in the flour, then the egg and then the breadcrumbs.  Let sit for 30 minutes.

Heat the oil and butter in a skillet on medium heat and fry the veal, one piece at a time, 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it reaches a light golden brown (make sure not to overcook).  Place the cooked veal pieces on paper towel to remove excess grease.  Keep cooked pieces warm while cooking the remaining pieces.  Serve with lemon wedge and parsley potatoes.

From 1st Congregational Church cookbook (1985) (Kitchen Treasures)

Chicken Supreme   Jean Lyford and Ellen Hayes

2 cups cooked chicken2 cups raw macaroni2 cans mushroom soup2 cups milk1 medium onion chopped (Optional)3 Tbsp. melted butter

1 tsp. salt and pepper

Mix and put into casserole.  Top with 1 cups of shredded cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Cook 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours.