At Raymond-Casco Historical Society meeting Oct. 16, Joseph Webber, past-president gave a talk and slide show entitled “The Longfellow Trail.” Members saw old photographs and maps of Portland from the 19th-century together with modern pictures showing buildings that still exist in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s beloved city. He mentioned the neglect in the past of not preserving historic landmarks, such as the old Portland Post Office and Portland’s Grand Union Station.

Anne Miller, custodian of Casco’s 1849 One-Room Schoolhouse reported that Tim Symonds recently completed necessary repair work on the schoolhouse. Tim is third generation Symonds family. Members of the family have been building and maintaining Casco homes since the turn of the century.

Following the repair work inmates from the Windham Correctional Center scraped and painted the building. This work was carried out as part of the Maine Correctional Community Service for nonprofit organizations. The society thanks Bob Hudson, WCC supervisor and crew chiefs Jim Quinn and Dennis Winslow for fitting the project into their busy work schedule. The Schoolhouse will be closed during the winter. It will be open to the public in early spring by appointment only. Plans are underway for local school children to visit the old schoolhouse as part of their social studies classes.

Following a business meeting, election of officers were held. Wayne Holmquist will serve as president, Elizabeth Bullen, vice-president, Betty McDermott was reelected as treasurer. Carmen Lone was reelected as secretary and Anne Miller will continue to serve as custodian of the schoolhouse.

The next meeting will take place on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Raymond Safety Building starting at 7 p.m. Discussions will continue on the feasibility of building a museum that will be open to the public, a place where the current collection can be enjoyed by everyone.

Anyone who has photographs or artifacts of historic significance to Raymond and Casco are urged to contact Laurie Cook, Historian at Laurie@flyingloon.com or call 627-7348. For more information about joining the Raymond – Casco Historical Society please call Betty McDermott at 655-4646. You can also visit the Historical Society on the web at www.Raymondmaine.org. Help preserve your heritage, get involved.