Up the hill from the Beach on Beach Road, on the right, tucked back a bit, is the Beach School House. One of the last holdouts from the schoolhouses that dotted the town, it closed in 1948 when the first iteration of LCS opened in the Center. The Beach School a giant among school houses, is unique in that it is a two-story building, though its schoolroom was on the second floor.

A town-owned building until very recently, it was managed by the Lincolnville Improvement Association, and many years ago, the upstairs room was converted into the Lincolnville Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum. 

The Schoolhouse Museum houses a number of artifacts from our town, largely donated by local families. The members of the Historical Society keep databases of documents and letters pertaining to the town, and maintain exhibits ranging from domestic life, the industries of farming and fishing, the general stores and mills, the military service of townspeople, and a collection of artifacts and crafts by the native Wabanaki people who were here first.

When, around 2020, it became clear that the building was in need of significant repair far beyond the means of the town’s coffers, the LHS reached out and found massive support among townspeople to save the building and save our history. The town agreed to sell the old schoolhouse to the LHS for the traditional sum of $1.

And the LHS went to work, soliciting donations and grants to eventually raise $354,000, and secure the building’s future. Entering the schoolhouse today, it has been structurally and aesthetically completely refurbished, with the downstairs room and attached kitchen looking amazing- the original wood floor restored and gleaming, and an actual functional bathroom. Many, many years ago, we held my wedding rehearsal dinner there, so the old place holds some nostalgia for me.

But the work is not done. Two major projects are next on the agenda. The water system needs to be overhauled — something not surprising to anyone who owns a home in this town. And the driveway/parking lot could definitely benefit from paving, both to avoid it becoming a mud pit and to keep mud and gravel from being tracked onto those beautiful hardwood floors.

So the fundraising continues. LHS has held two Beach Bistros so far, amazing meals by local chefs and served to sold out crowds at the schoolhouse. The third is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, with a Mexican theme, created by Diane van Pelt and Lynn Wildnauer.

Buy your tickets while they are still available at www.lincolnvillehistory.com. On the months where a bistro is not held, Diane O’Brien and Rosie Gerry host Fridays at the Museum, where they interview people about town history and feature local musicians.

Check out the website, and the archives for more information about this town. I was today years old when I learned that Lincolnville has an older name. The Penobscot people called it Mag-win’-teg-wek, meaning “choppy waters”. Appropriate on a day when the shore is once again being battered by the waters of Penobscot Bay. The Historical Society is working to get this added to the Beach sign.

Tax Time

The municipal government of Lincolnville wants to remind you that the balance of your 2023/2024 taxes are due on April 3, 2024. The town election will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, with town meeting held the evening of Thursday, June 13, 2024. Budget season is in full swing, check my municipal calendar for meetings you can attend if you want to get a heads up before the big day.

Since I started this early Sunday, the Beach is once again flooded. This is absolutely heartbreaking. The Beach Store had just put up a sign indicating that they would be reopening soon. Stay tuned for things you can do to help.

My thoughts are with those impacted by this latest storm. Be well Lincolnville. Reach me at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR

Monday, March 11

Recreation Committee, 4 p.m., Town Office

Land Use Committee, 4 p.m., Town Office

Select Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Town Office

Tuesday, March 12

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, March 13

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Friday, March 15

AA Meeting 12 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, March 16

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, March 17

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway