WELLS — The Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit celebrates 64 years of being incorporated as a cultural organization, with a month filled with fun and public programs.

The organization opens its doors to the 2018 Annual Meeting and invites the community to, “A Celebration of Poetry & History,” a wonderful early evening program in the Meetinghouse Museum at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2.

Hope M. Shelley, Wells Volunteer of the Year, and Richard W. Perkins, Poet Laureate of Ogunquit, will be honored with this special program and light refreshments will be served.

Both Hope Shelley and Richard Perkins have made a significant impact at the Historical Society. She started the Waves and Furrows newsletter, school programs, and the Meetinghouse Museum. She continued her work with the museum with her contributions to the 2002 Museum Renovation project as well as the 2018 Museum Renew project and was president of the Historical Society from 1978 to 1981 and again in the 1990s. She’s also responsible for the Meetinghouse being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Over many years, members of the Historical Society have enjoyed, and continue to look forward to, Richard Perkins’ contributions to their quarterly newsletter. Voted “Ogunquit Most Outstanding Citizen” in 2016, he has written more than 600 “odes” on a variety of subjects, as well as a culinary column in regional publications, and short stories in books in books and magazines.  A documentary of his life,” How Rude,” premiered in 2011, and was on view at The Leavitt Theater this past year,  to the delight of all.

“The Annual Meeting is a great chance for our friends and members to enjoy our beautiful Meetinghouse and find out what we’ve been doing over the past year,” said Irene Crocker, chair of the Board of Directors. “There will be time for discussion too. We would like feedback from our community on how we’ve been doing and will ask for ideas for what you’d like to see us doing next year. It’s free to attend so mark your calendars — we’re looking forward to making this a real community event.”

Also during October, the Historical Society will have a Market at the Meetinghouse, a fundraiser and community yard sale to be held at their location on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This event is open to anyone in the community who would like to participate as either a vendor of a small business, or someone wanting an opportunity to sell “yard sale” style items at the Meetinghouse rather than their own home.

The Historical Society will offer 8’ x 5’ spaces for $25. Participants must bring their own table, and are responsible for all set-up/take-down of equipment and goods. There are a limited number of spaces available, and those interested are advised to buy a space early as the deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 2.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, the organization will present the popular fall program, “History Walk and Talk” with a walking tour of the historic mills of the Merriland River in Wells with historian and author Joe Hardy.

The program will start 10 a.m., at the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit on 938 Post Road (Route One) in Wells. From there, participants will be guided to carpool to six historic mills locations. All but one are adjacent to the bridge crossings on the Merriland River, so there will be little walking required. The cost is $5, and is free for members of the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit. Interested people are asked to call or email to reserve a  spot at info@wohistory.org or call 646-4775

Joe Hardy is a long standing environmentalist, and one of the founders of the Great Works Regional Land Trust. He is the author of History of a Maine “Little River,” “Settlement & Abandonment on Tatnic Hill: An Eclectic History of Wells, Maine, 1600-1900,” and “Four American Stories: Emigration and the Lure of the West.” With his family, he has lived for many years on the Hill Road, the old “Way to Wells” from South Berwick.

An 1862 Meetinghouse is the headquarters of the Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit. The Meetinghouse Museum collection of artifacts from local families, fishermen, farms and businesses are on exhibit to tell the story of Wells and Ogunquit which began as one town in 1653. The Meetinghouse is also the home of the Esselyn Perkins Library, one of the finest genealogical collections in southern Maine. The library contains family histories and town histories of Maine.

For more information, send an email to info@wohistory.org or call 646-4775.