HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

South Berwick, MAine: A plate identical to ones used in South Berwick in the 1600s will be offered at the Lighting Up Ball’s silent auction on Saturday, November 5. The only other copy in existence is on display at the Counting House Museum. The event supports the society's museum as well as programs of the Old Berwick Historical Society. This unique pair of plates were inspired by authentic items discovered by archaeologists during a 10-year dig in the South Berwick area. (Continued below with photos)

Martha Sulya, potter at Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts, made the plate after seeing archaeology artifacts on display at the society’s Counting House Museum.  The artifacts are the remains of an original plate used by Humphrey and Lucy Chadbourne who lived here in the late 1600s.  It was probably made in Devon, England and brought by ship to the New World.

Sulya made a replica plate, which is about the size of a dinner plate and adorned with flowers, for a display at the museum.  She donated the second plate, the only other one in existence, to be auctioned as a museum benefit.

A local party tradition with roots in the mill era of the 1800s, the Lighting Up Ball will start at 7:30 pm at Spring Hill Restaurant.  Tickets are available at the group’s Web site and from South Berwick Pharmacy at $35 per person, or $30 per person for tables of 10.  The evening of dancing to modern favorites and socializing includes a buffet of hors d’oeuvres. Historical costumes are welcomed as well as party dress.

Absentee bidding is available by contacting Rick at 603-312-1839.

The silent auction at the Lighting Up Ball will offer participants the chance to bid on a wide array of items and services donated by supporters. Other auction items include an Ogunquit getaway package, jewelry, food and wine, an American Girl doll, a hearth-cooked dinner, genealogy services, a day at an 18th century farm, and more.

Guests at the Lighting Up Ball will also have a chance to “adopt” an exhibit for a $50 donation. Complete details, including a partial list of items to bid on, are available at the Old Berwick Historical Society’s website www.oldberwick.org.