SPRINGVALE — How many times did the folks who lived in Phillipstown attempt to incorporate the territory that would eventually become Sanford?

Did you know that at one point, Springvale was the larger part of the community?

Who were the first settlers? Where did they come from and how did they earn their living?

The man with the answers to these questions and many, many other historical tidbits about the founding and growth of Sanford and Springvale village, Harland Eastman, will tell all in a presentation May 17.

Eastman will talk about the early history of the community, its early settlers, and the significance of its incorporation in 1768. The event, hosted by the Sanford Springvale Historical Society, of which he is president, is part of Sanford’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of its incorporation back in 1738 and one of a slew of events slated throughout the year.

Eastman earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Colby College and his master’s degree in diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He did doctoral work at the London School of Economics, London, England. Following a two-year stint in the army, he served for 24 years as a member of the United States Foreign Service. His diplomatic career took him to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Eastman returned to his Springvale home in 1979 and has been a champion of preserving the community’s history for future generations, from leading the effort to acquire and restore Sanford’s first town hall, located in Springvale, as a museum, to conducting history walks for Sanford grade school students.

Eastman published several histories of Sanford and Springvale and one on Alfred and its Shaker Community between 1985 and 1995. He also republished during that period Emery’s 1901 History of Sanford with a new every name index; Samuel Came’s 1872 Centennial History of Alfred; Joseph Fullonton’s 1847 History of Acton and Amasa Loring’s 1854 History of Shapleigh. In addition to his association with the Historical Society, Eastman has been a member of the Sanford Historical Committee since 1979 and its chairman for the past 32 years.

The program, at 7 p.m., will take place at the museum, at 505 Main Street in Springvale. There is no charge. Refreshments, compliments of the Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, will be served following. The museum is handicapped accessible and air conditioned.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.