ABOUT US

                                                  ABOUT US

      The mission of the Newcastle Historical Society is to promote and preserve the history of Newcastle, Maine so that succeeding generations may benefit from knowledge of the past. The society is the primary collector of historical objects and documents for present and future generations. These items are housed in the Newcastle Historical Museum, also known as the Taniscot Engine House. It is dedicated to not only preservation but education. The society has developed a strong reputation for servicing the community.
     In 1998 the Town Selectmen and its citizens realized that an organization was needed to preserve the history of their town for future generations. The Town of Newcastle formed a committee on June 17, 1998 to create the Newcastle Historical Society. That committee was composed of Bob Baker, Arlene Cole, Carroll Dinsmore, Jr., Geraldine Hanley and John Hilton. On October 28, 1998 approximately two dozen citizens met at the Newcastle Town Office on River Road to start the society. On January 6, 1999 the society began meeting at the Second Congregational Church because of space. On September 5, 2001 the Newcastle Historical Society moved to its present and permanent location on Main Street at the old Taniscot Engine House, which is owned by the Town of Newcastle. Meetings are held there and the museum is located inside the building.

The Newcastle Historical Society has made major advances since its creation in 1998. A major project was the creation of a museum in conjunction with the Newcastle Taniscot Fire Company. Projects taken on by its members include the cleanup and restoration of some cemeteries, historical interviews of the elders, participation in the town's 250th anniversary in 2003, a scholarship for a Lincoln Academy high school senior each year who plans to attend a four-year college/university and a yearly scholarship for a Newcastle resident to participate in the Damariscotta River Association Archaeological Field School. The society published its first book, Cemeteries of Newcastle, Maine from 1758 to 2004, compiled by members Geraldine Hanley and Nancy Hartley. In 2005 the society also co-sponsored a CD in conjunction with the DRA on the alewives at Damariscotta Mills and the Walter Phillips Archaeological Project on Pleasant Street led by local archaeologist Tim Dinsmore. It has created a Museum Conservation Committee to better preserve the artifacts and memorabilia it possesses.
The society in 2003 became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations to the society are tax deductible. The society's projects are funded through membership dues, public contributions, publication sales, interest on savings and grants.