On Saturday, March 19, Hazel Cook and Ruth Harju will
give an illustrated talk about the wonders and intricacies
of button collecting at the Bridgton Public Library.
Together, these two expert and knowledgeable collectors
have over 75 years of button collecting. Not only
have they have attended button conventions all over
New England, but Ruth helped resuscitate Maine's state
button society.
While some may wonder, "Buttons?" Ruth and
Hazel observe, "Buttons are an important key
to understanding history, technology, and archeology.
Finding just one button at a dig can reveal much about
the time, place and culture."
There are at least 16 state button societies, not
to mention regional, and national societies in the
U.S. And of course, let's not forget the Italian Button
Society located in Florence.
Additionally, these two experts come well equipped:
each own a myriad of buttons. Like all events sponsored
by Friends of the Bridgton Public Library this presentation
is free and open to the public. The library is handicapped
accessible, complete with an elevator.
After the informal presentation, which begins at 2
p.m. there will be refreshments and a chance for community
members to ask questions and show their buttons to
Ruth and Hazel.
The Friends of the Bridgton Public Library hold monthly
meetings and their year-round activities include book
sales, programs, events and various fundraising activities.
Over the past 20 years the Friends have donated about
$5,000 to the library annually.
For more information about this event, or about the
Friends, please call the library at 207-647-2472.
