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Three hundred years after the Berwicks were established among Maine’s colonies, the Old Berwick Historical Society offers vivid clues about early life here. Three exhibits and a series of public events this summer and fall let visitors experience the sights and sounds of early colonists and natives who lived in  what became Berwick, South Berwick, and North Berwick. (Continued below) 

Beyond a reconstructed timber-framed doorway leading into a special room of the Counting House, lie the remains of an actual comb, straight pins, a thimble and scissors of a 17^th century woman named Lucy Chadbourne, along with her spoons and dinner plates she used at her home on Vine Street. And these are just the beginning.  

Lead shot, gunflints and fish hooks that her husband, Humphrey, used to provide food for the family are also on display, as well as the axes, saws and other tools that provided a livelihood from their lumber mill.  Nearby, prehistoric pottery, tools and trade objects hint at the Native Americans who were the colonists’ neighbors and, eventually, adversaries. 

Humphrey and Lucy Chadbourne operated a sawmill on present-day Vine Street from about 1640 to 1689, and Humphrey and Mary Spencer operated a tavern on Oldfields Road from 1696 to 1727.   In the exhibits, their tales are told using an array of historic objects, photographs, and maps that illustrate the life in this region in the earliest days of European settlement.

The exhibits are located at the Counting House Museum on Main Street, open 1:00 to 4:00 pm on weekends and by appointment; South Berwick Public Library on Young Street, open Tuesday through Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings; and South Berwick Town Hall on Main Street, open during weekday business hours.  All are free. 

In addition to the exhibits, the Old Berwick Historical Society offers pages on its website detailing “300^th Anniversary Tours” of local historic sites, as well as background information on English settlers and Native Americans.  

The society also plans an outdoor living history event at the museum during the weekend of August 24 and 25, as well as evening speakers on September 26, when Dr. Steven Eames will present “Scouts and Garrisons: Defending the Maine Frontier;” October 24, when Dr. Neill DePaoli talks about one of Maine's leading Anglo-Indian interpreters; and November 21, when Dr. Ellen Cowie presents, “The French and Wabanaki in Maine: The view from Norridgewock.”  The speakers programs are held at7:30 pm at Berwick Academy.  

The special 300^th anniversary programs and exhibits are supported by Old Berwick Historical Society members and by grants from the Maine Humanities Council and Kennebunk Savings. 

Exhibits were created by Harvey Bennett, Cari Quarter, Neill DePaoli and Dana Hughes with the assistance of Tad Baker.  The reproduction wall was built by Tom Gerhardt and Pret Woodburn.  Norma Keim, Raina Keim and Neill DePaoli provided presentations on the website. 

For more information contact the Old Berwick Historical Society at  207-384-0000.