ROCKLAND — In 2001, artist Steve Lindsay received a contract from The First to carve an image of Rockland history. Lindsay worked from a historic photograph. And, who better to garner that photo from, but the final president of the Rockland Rockport Lime Company?

From that black and white, one-dimensional image, life sprang outward in depth and color for patrons and employees of The First’s Rockland branch to see for many years. 

On Thursday, Dec. 12, The First gifted the carving back to David Hoch, final president of the Rockland Rockport Lime Company and owner of the original photograph. 

Until that photograph can be located, the names of the workers in the image remain elusive. Yet, when looking at the carving, at least a few faces stoked the coals of Hoch’s memory as being the “grandfathers” of later generations.

Immediately following the gifting of the carving to Hoch, Hoch presented the work of art to the Rockland Historical Society. 

Hoch and fellow Historical Society members Ann Morris and Ben Perry have already envisioned where the carving will hang – in a place where visitors of both the library and the Historical Society have access.

Perry organized Thursday’s event after hearing from Lindsay. According to Perry, the artist had recently stopped in at the Historical Society and mentioned that the carving had been in The First’s storage following recent renovations to the bank. Lindsay suggested that the Society should have it. From there, Perry made some phone calls. 

“The carving belongs here,” said Hoch. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com