Historical Society looks to future
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--There's a beehive of activity in Gray and it's not just the traffic. In a stately, highly styled academy building built in 1876 a group of volunteers quietly carry on the culture and traditions of the Town. The members of the Gray Historical Society climb the steep steps up to the second floor of Pennell Institute to the Historical Museum, and it is there that they archive important materials, share their knowledge and preserve the Town's history through rotating exhibits and outreach, and propel the past into the future.

The Historical Society members had been invited to the Gray Town Council's workshop meeting Monday night to discuss the Society's needs, and to discuss the building in which they have been a tenant since 1978. The SAD is the landlord but if the SAD disposes of the building, or if the Town prevails in its efforts to acquire it, or if the building undergoes extensive renovation, then what would the Historical Society do? The Council asked the members to relate what their needs would be under the various scenarios.

Louise Knapp, Charlene Walker, Jean Szendrei, and Rachel Blais prepared a presentation for the Council. The building was placed on the National Historic Register in 1982, Ms Szendrei said. The acceptance statement declared that the "Institute is one of the most highly stylized academy buildings in Maine." Its principal location in the Village center and its architectural details demonstrates the pride that Gray has in its educational system, Ms. Szendrei said of the acceptance statements.

The sunny patches on the hardwood floors contast with the sheen on the wood walls, high ceilings, and artfully displayed exhibits. The Museum's three major sections are the displays, the research/work office, and the storage areas that hold stored artifacts. The Society has grown since 1978 and so has its holdings.

A major grant award in 2000 allowed the Museum curators to archive and organize the artifacts, some of which are stored in the hallways and in stacks up to the ceiling. There are 60 boxes of apparel and textiles. An intact attic loom. The original curtains from Stimson Hall, complete with its original mural on the canvas. Feet after linear feet of paper, photos, ephemera, and documents. Art. Tools and implements. And 1900 square feet to display it, store it, and work with it all.

Councilor Denise Duda asked what their greatest wish would be, and the response from Ms. Knapp was that the Society needs double the space, so "The whole building, that's the big wish." The building, minus the additions, is about 4,000 square feet.

Ms. Knapp said that they could easily fil up double their space. They need more room for the researchers. Members of the Society and the public may research, the Museum is open to the public and the exhibits can be enjoyed as well as research conducted with the books and papers.

The Society's future needs would be shelving, carrels for supplies, room to display audio and video exhibits and art, more tables for research, rooms for meetings, and of course more space to exhibit and for tours, said Ms. Knapp. The members' community outreach includes working with students individually, school classes, scouts, and other groups. Above, Ms. Knapp works with students.

The precipitous stairs leading up to the museum present a challenge for handicapped visitors and even for those who simply find them too difficult to climb. "We've lost volunteers because of the difficulty in getting up here," Ms. Knapp said, and it does deter some visitors."

If the Society must move, said Ms. Blais, they would need a consistently temperate fire resistant environment free from water damage or flooding, insects and mold, that has ADA accessibility, separate processing areas for new, contaminated, or processed materials, and more. "We would hope to receive a donated older home that has various sized rooms. The Town of Stetson has recently given a building, and donations like this are more frequent than one might think."

If the Society remains in Pennell while any renovations are going on, they would need to remove their sensitive artifacts and the remainders would need to be protected not only from sun, damage, temperature, but also construction dust. Left, Ms Szendrei and Ms. Knapp at 2002 Celebration Days as part of the Society's community outreach. Monument file photo

The Council thanked the group for such an impressive presentation and in return the Councilors were invited for a tour. The arrangements will be made for the interested Councilors to visit the facility and see first-hand the work of Gray's quiet but extremely diligent volunteers.