Matthews Musings Vol 1, No. 1

Matthews Musings
The Newsletter of the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage
Union, Maine

Volume 1, Number 1 October, 2002

Message from the President:

Dear Members,
First of all I would like to thank all of you for becoming members of the Matthews Museum in the past year. I would also like to apologize to those who did not get a very quick response to their membership form and/or donation. We had a wonderful response to our mailing, but did not quite have the organization in place to deal with it. Everyone should have a membership/thank you card by now.

As most of you know, the Museum separated (in good harmony) from the Union Fair and Maine Wild Blueberry Festival in 2001, to become a more or less independent organization. The Museum will of course not move, and the ties with the Fair remain strong.

In our first year we have worked hard to get a good start, which I believe we have achieved:

Per August 31, we had 74 members (including 9 life members and 4 business memberships)

We received two grants for preservation of the Moxie Bottle Stand

We are a Community Partner of Yankee Magazine

We have set long term goals and discussed ways to achieve them.

In the years to come we will focus on the growth of our membership and volunteer base, on the development of the museum collection and the museum organization and on various special projects.

One of those special projects is the construction of a building to house the Moxie Bottle Stand, next to the Museum. The Museum has acquired this 33 foot tall structure, the last one in existence. Members of the New England Moxie Congress donated funds for this purchase. This is currently the main objective of our fund-raising and it probably will be until the Moxie Bottle Stand will have taken its place at the Union Fair Grounds. Elsewhere in this Newsletter you can read more about the project.

To conclude, I would like to express thanks to all those people who have given their time to volunteer at the Museum over the past year (and before). Without you, we would be nowhere.

Ben van der Schaaf, President.

Annual Meeting
Our first annual membership meeting will be held on Saturday, October 19, at 10:00 AM in the Old Town Hall in Union.

All members are welcome and urged to attend since this will be the annual election of Officers and Board Members, as well. We are seeking potential Board Members and a regular Treasurer.

The Museum is Tax exempt and incorporated in the State of Maine.

Come out, meet your officers and other Board Members and listen to plans for next year. Refreshments will be available. Have your questions answered and meet the volunteers who run your Museum.

Constitution Approved
On February 9, 2002 your Board of Directors and membership of record approved the Constitution for the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, Inc.

Article II: OBJECT states the following: The Museum shall have as its purpose the presentation of programs of interest and exhibits for the education of the public and preservation of antiquities relating to the history of Maine culture since colonial times.

Since that date the activities of the Board have been directed toward fulfilling the Object of the Museum.

The full Constitution may be obtained at the Annual Meeting, October 19, at the Old Town Hall. Copies may also be obtained by requesting them from The Matthews Museum, P.O. Box 582, Union ME 04862

Museum a Yankee Community Partner
The Matthews Museum is a Community Partner with Yankee Magazine. If you subscribe to Yankee or give it as a gift to anyone, the Museum receives a donation from Yankee Magazine of $8 for each subscription. You MUST use one of the special cards available in this Newsletter or from the Museum by writing and requesting them.

Yankee makes a great gift. Ask your doctor or dentist to subscribe, too. When done on one of the cards, an $8 tax deductible gift goes to the Museum for each subscription.

Moxie at the Fair
This year, the Museum was present, big time, at the Union Fair. Besides the usual free admission to the museum for fair goers, the Museum had an exhibit to raise funds for the Moxie Bottle Stand Project. Moxie memorabilia of all sorts were available for purchase including hats, t-shirts and signs. Of course, that great drink, Moxie, was available, too!

Hundreds of people visited the booth during the week and over 1000 free samples of Moxie were given out on Moxie Day, Wednesday. Your Museum also recorded record attendance for the week as more people were made aware of its presence while visiting the booth.

On display was a scale model of the Moxie Bottle Stand built by Merrill Lewis of the New England Moxie Congress.

Moxie/Museum Items Available at The Cricket On The Common
Special Moxie related items will be available at Cricket on the Common. Thanks to Gary Sukeforth there will be a Moxie corner at the shop. Buy Matthews Museum t-shirts, Moxie caps and signs and support our on-going fundraising effort.

Purchase gifts and holiday presents and support the Museum Moxie Bottle Stand project while making your shopping easy.

Memorial Donations
The following Memorial Donations were made during the year. These contributions will go a long way in improving the Museum.

In Memory of

Dr. Doris White

Raymond H. Liebold

Mrs. Randy Haselton

Mrs. Pat Honeycutt

Dr. Thomas Fangman

George R. Hague

Staudt Memorial

Remember a loved one or honor someone special by making a special contribution to the Museum in their Memory/Honor.

Business Membership
The Constitution provides for a special class of Museum support in the form of a Business Member. This annual fee of $25 provides 25 free passes to visit the Museum during the year. The passes may be used by employees, family members or customers. The cards should be presented at the door.

Business Members for 2002-3 are:

Mic-Mac Market

Consumer Water Company

Union Farm Equipment

Athearn Enterprise

Our special thanks to these supporters of the Museum and its programs.

Hats Off !
Other businesses have given of their time and resources, too. The Damariscotta Bank and Trust and the Camden National Bank, both in Union, have helped us with our mailing costs. Employees of the Damariscotta Bank also volunteered and helped at the Museum during fair week. The Common Market helped us by receiving Moxie shipments. Frank Annicetti of Lisbon Falls donated Moxie flavored ice cream for sale at Founder’s Day and the Fair.

Grants Received
Two grants were applied for and received during the year.

The first, a New Centuries Community Grant funded by the New Centuries Community Program and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission enabled us to have the Moxie Bottle Stand assessed for restoration and exhibit purposes.

The recommendations from this assessment will enable us to restore and preserve the bottle stand so it will be a valuable addition to the Museum’s holding for the future.

The second grant, a Historical Collections Grant Program Grant, (a collaborative effort of the Maine State Archives and Maine State Museum with financial support form the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the New Century Community Program) will enable some of the restoration investigations and work to take place. Supplemented by funds from the Museum the restoration will take place before the Bottle Stand is put in place in the new structure to be built.

Ronald S. Harvey is the conservator that has been working with us on this project. He is with Tuckerbrook Conservation, Lincolnville ME.

Volunteers will be needed to do much of the work after special training once the final evaluations and plans are in place. Contact Judy Gross if you think you can help with this careful work. 80 Atwood Lane, Bristol ME 04539 or (njmoxie1@worldnet.att.net)

Educational Outreach
One of the major goals for the Museum is to be educational outreach. Local school groups are to be encouraged to take field trips to the Museum while studying relevant topics of Maine culture and heritage.

We would like to have several programs available to offer to students during June and September for field trip opportunities. Such might include demonstrations of activities that might have been done during colonial times like horseshoeing, canning, quilting, use of farm implements, etc. It is envisioned that they be about one hour in length and possibly involve hands-on experiences for some of the youth.

If you think you could help with such an effort please contact us. If you would like to discuss this phone George Gross, 973-379-1566 or (njmoxie1@worldnet.att.net).

If your school might be interested in running a field trip to the Museum contact us at P.O. Box 582, Union ME 04862 c/o Irene Hawes.

Curator’s Corner
By Archie Mitchell and Irene Hawes
The following summary of events at the Museum will show you just how active the Museum was this year.

June 18 - Museum attended by 14, 7th and 8th grade students from Union School under the direction of their teacher, Sue Raineury. A donation of $20.00 was made.
On the same day the “Tack Shop” area of the carriage room was redesigned with the assistance of Leslie Galvin.

June 20 - The newly repainted Matthews Museum sign was remounted by George and Judy Gross, Dick Tracy and Archie Mitchell.

June 22 and 23 - The Museum was opened for the National Speleological Society (cavers).
Picture and post card displays in the library were changed as were the clothing displays in the sewing room. A new display of antique adding machines, cash registers and typewriters was also created.

June 26 - Report of Dr. Gaul School, 7th and 8th grades students’ visit to the Museum appeared on “Village Soup” courtesy of Dick Tracy.

June 28 - The above story appeared in the - Free Press.

June 29 - Announcement of the season opening appeared on “Village Soup.

June 30 - Village Soup - story announces that Founder’s Day will have Moxie!

July 1 - Irene Hawes made a Museum presentation to the Appleton Historical Society.

July 2 - Museum opens for the season.

July 5 - Special fluorescent UV filters with end covers were installed in the main area of the museum. This is an additional safeguard for some of our more delicate and fragile artifacts.

July 25 - 24 members of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts visited the Museum. They represented the 16 Conservation Districts in Maine.

July 26 - Storage area was cleaned out with items, including two cheese presses stored there, put on display in the appropriate area.

FAIR WEEK - Wednesday August 21 was designated - Moxie Day - honoring Union native Dr. Augustin Thompson and his 1885 invention “Moxie Nerve Food. A sewing machine and a blueberry display previously owned by Ira Proctor were loaned to the Fair Association for display in the Wild Blueberry Acres tent. Leslie Galvin repaired two of the Edward Matthews violins replacing the bridge and installing new strings.

August 24 - A refrigerator was donated to the Museum by George and Judy Gross.

August 25 - Diana and Bobby Purkey donated a four drawer legal size file cabinet to be used for Museum records.

September 14 - Opened the Museum for Maine Heritage Day. Volunteers assisted. Attendance was 0. John Boeckler of Hope visited during fair week and returned on 9/14 to photograph some items in the Museum collection. John made a $20.00 donation.

September 25 - Opened for the 2002 Student Conservation Day Fair. This was attended by students in the 3rd and 6th grades along with teachers and chaperones from Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties.

September 26 through October 5 - closed Museum for the year.

Museum Wish List
By Irene Hawes and Archie Mitchell
The Museum displays hundreds of items of Maine Heritage and History. The day to day operation of the Museum relies on the generosity of the public and members. From time to time certain items are needed to make operations run more smoothly.

bureau for the bathroom

umbrella stand

barbers’ case

mens nightshirts (pre-40)

copy 4 photos of Cider Mill Union Common

organize books in the Hodge School

relocate manure spreader to Museum

100 solid concrete blocks for carriage house

replace/repair old tags on displays

self defrost refrigerator

remove and replace windows with new sash

Pre 1954 items for the Hodge School

photos

wall kerosene lamps

wastebasket

broom

pitch pipe

snow shovel

oil can

Dues Extension
Due to lateness of notification, all memberships paid in 2002 will be honored in 2003, so save those membership cards. Of course, if you would like to send in a donation to help out, it would be greatly appreciated.

Life Membership
Life membership in the Museum has been set at $100 per person/family. This one time fee entitles you to all privileges of membership for life including free attendance at the museum and all special programs.

LIFE MEMBERS:

George Gross

Judy Gross

R. Bliss Fuller, Jr.

Muriel I. Heath

Josephine F. Hart

Mary Olson

Lee D. Webb

Ralph Blackington

Internships
The Museum is interested in individuals who might be interested in training and serving as interns to learn how to serve as a curator and assist with Museum maintenance. Interns would serve as available during the regular summer days, July 1 to September 1. The Museum is closed on Mondays.

Cataloging, repairing, cleaning and displaying of items already in the collection and recently donated will take priority. Interns would also learn about the history of the items in the Museum and help with tours and visitors when needed.

If interested, or you know someone who might be interested, contact Irene Hawes or Archie Mitchell by mail at the Museum, P.O. Box 582, Union ME 04862

Bottle Stand Fund

$50,000

$40,000

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

Follow our progress toward our goal to build the Bottle Stand Building at the Museum.

New Building Planned
In case you didn’t see the drawings of the proposed building to house the recently acquired Moxie Bottle Stand, the following is a possible design. It is estimated that the cost of construction would come in at about $50,000.00 depending upon the labor costs and materials costs that might be saved through donations.

The Moxie Bottle Stand stands 33 feet tall. The proposed building would be about 36 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It would house rest rooms and a small office/store and space for a greatly enlarged Moxie display area. The new display would be the largest of its kind of Moxie memorabilia in the country a tribute to Dr. Augustin Thompson, inventor, in Union, his birthplace.

Board of Directors
The following people serve on the Board of the Museum.

Ben van der Schaaf, President

George R. Gross, Vice-President

Judy Grinnell, Secretary

Judy Gross, Interim Treasurer

Dick Tracy, Publicity

Janice Harriman, Membership

Erica Harriman, Fair Liaison

Archie Mitchell, Curator

Irene Hawes, Curator

Isabel Abbot

Dave Shaub

Julia Hunter

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:
Please pass this form on to a neighbor or friend who might be interested in becoming a member of the Museum. Better yet, use it to give a gift membership to someone. Feel free to make copies!

The Matthews Museum Of Maine Heritage
needs your support to develop new programs and to maintain and expand its current collections and services.
You are invited to become a member of the Museum and help with these goals.
The Matthews Museum currently houses thousands of items of Maine culture, history and agriculture. The Museum is open to the public 12 to 5 PM during July and August and by appointment in June and September. You can help the Museum in several ways. Please consider the list below and return this form to The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, PO Box 582, Union ME 04862.
__ I would consider making a contribution of Maine Heritage
__ I would like to make a tax exempt donation to help develop new programs and facilities
__ I would like to join the Museum -- $5.00 per person yearly($10 per family)
__ I would like to become a life member of the Museum -- $100.
__ I would like to join as a Business Member -- $25. annually (25 admission passes for employees and families)
__ I would like to volunteer at the Museum during the months and times listed
__ I would be willing to serve the Museum in the following way(s)

Tax deductible memorials and tributes in any amount are always a way to recognize someone special in your life.
The Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

NAME_________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE___________________________________E-MAIL_______________________________________

Please make checks payable and mail to: Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage, POBox 582, Union ME 04862.
Thank you for your membership and interest in the Museum.

Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage P.O. Box 582 Union, ME 04862

ATTEND OUR ANNUAL MEETING, SATURDAY. October 19, 2002 IN THE OLD TOWN HALL AT 10:00 AM. Bring a friend.