WELLS –
The Historic Wells Meetinghouse recently underwent two major capital improvement projects under the supervision of Dennis Hardy, Co-Chair of the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit and Project Manager.
Painters from B& H Painting of Biddeford owned by John McNeil have just finished the job of painting the exterior of the historic 1864 Meetinghouse across from the Hannaford Shopping Plaza on Route 1 in Wells. New wooden shutters, to be installed later this month, are being manufactured by Barry Chase (TheWebhannet Company) of Wells. The shutters (many are originals) had suffered from periodic removal and re-installation due to several paintings, and the effects of salt air and decay.
The Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit is housed at the Meetinghouse and Vestry and is charged with maintaining the Meetinghouse. Efforts to raise $35,000 for Capital Improvements are underway and $22,000 has been raised so far.
As part of its fund-raising efforts, the Historical Society is planning the second Colors of Fall GALA Dinner & Dance to be held at the “Coastal House” on Saturday October 18, 2008, to the music of Straight Lace. Two couples (one from each of the two towns) are being honored as outstanding citizens: Gary and Diane Leech (Wells) and Peter and Barbara Woodbury (Ogunquit). Tickets, are available at $60 each at the Meetinghouse Museum.
The Meetinghouse is in its third incarnation. Built as the First Parish Meetinghouse in the mid 1600s, it was burned by the Indians, and eventually re-built. In 1864 it was constructed for a third time, in its present New England Civil-War style. In the early and mid-1900 it was the home of the First Congregational Church of Wells.
The Museum and the interior of the Meetinghouse are open to the public, free of charge, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 to 4:30PM. Visitors are always welcome. For more information or tickets to the Fall Gala call 646-4775.
Caption: Rick Samples and Ron Thomas of B & H Painting of Biddeford hard at work painting the Wells Meetinghouse. (Courtesy photo)
