The Raymond-Casco Historical Society met on Nov. 13 at the Raymond Safety Building.

Members were delighted to learn of a proposed permanent home for the Society. Well-known lifelong Casco resident, Henry (Skip) Watkins and member of the Society, offered the opportunity for the Society to build a museum/meeting and event center on property owned by him on Route 302 in Casco.

This property, known as the Watkins Farm, has been in the ownership of the Watkins family for more than 200 years. The Watkins family dates back to Captain Dingley and since that time each generation has made significant contributions of public service to Casco, Naples and Raymond. For the past five years Skip and his wife Zeena have been restoring the farmhouse and barn. The most visible restorations have been made to the barn, which has received a great deal of attention by area newspapers and passers by both local and “from away.”

Watkins’ vision includes a museum where local families can be assured that their donations will be properly preserved, presented for viewing and available for research. There will also be an event center that will celebrate our local heritage and help sustain the museum through fund raising events.

This generous offer moves the Raymond-Casco Historical Society to a whole new level of professionalism. This is an exciting opportunity to participate in the preservation of Raymond-Casco heritage. We hope families will join the Society and help with making this a reality. It will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy looking at artifacts of their ancestors living in this area and learn how Raymond and Casco has developed over the past 200 years.

The next meeting will be on Dec. 11 at the Raymond Safety Building starting promptly at 7 p.m. This is an exciting new project and we invite local families to attend the meeting, join the RCHS and help with this wonderful endeavor.

For more information call Wayne Holmquist, RCHS President at 655-7672 or e-mail Wholmqui@maine.rr.com. You may write to us at Raymond-Casco Historical Society, P.O. Box 1055, Raymond, ME 04071 or check www.raymondmaine.org.