FIRST SESSION – Classroom Meeting & the Blaine House

After meeting at 9:15 in Jewett Room 189 and completing the required paperwork, our first destination will be the Blaine House, home of Maine Governors and their families since 1919. Built by Captain James Hall, the house takes its name from James G. Blaine who took occupancy in 1862. Blaine is notable for his political accomplishments–Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and unsuccessful Presidential candidate in 1884. (He lost by 2000 votes.) The house is open to the public and our guided tour will showcase the furnishings and its noteworthy inhabitants.

After lunch, we’ll travel to Brunswick to visit the recently reopened Harriet Beecher Stowe House. This historic home and National Historic Landmark at 63 Federal Street is notable as a short-term home of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Calvin Ellis Stowe and where Harriet wrote her 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Earlier, it had been the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as a student. It is today owned by Bowdoin College. A space within the house, called Harriet’s Writing Room, is open to the public. We’ll meet Cathy Belcher, our guide and an expert on Harriet , to learn more.

 Baxter House Museum

Doctor, Mayor and Governor describes three generations of the Baxter family. The Baxter House Museum in Gorham will welcome us to learn more about this remarkable family, whose most famous member is Percival Baxter, Governor of Maine and the driving force behind the creation of Baxter State Park. We will hear about Gorham and its history in addition to the family. A docent will welcome us and ensure a fact filled tour of this little known museum.

Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts

Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, a unique Maine non-profit organization in Edgecomb, is known for its artist residencies, workshops, exhibitions and other community programs. Founded in 1986 by artists, Watershed’s 54-acre pastoral campus attracts hundreds of artists annually, who travel to Mid-coast Maine from around the country and abroad, to explore new ideas and techniques in small creative communities. During our visit, we will tour Watershed’s state-of -the-art ceramics studio and learn about the steps involved in creating functional and sculptural works – from mixing clay (including marine clays found in Maine) to the final kiln firing process. We will also have an opportunity to tour Watershed’s brand-new Commons building, a gathering space for artists who reside on campus, as well as their Gallery and Exhibition space.

Bernard Langlais Sculpture Garden

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The Knox House Museum

Two sites are on the agenda today. One will be the Bernard Langlais Sculpture Garden in Cushing. Langlais worked with wood to create his oversized sculptures. Several pieces can be found on this terminus of the Bernard Langlais Trail across Maine. We’ll also take in the Knox House in Thomaston. Henry Knox was a 26 year old book seller when tapped by George Washington to bring cannons and other weapons from Fort Ticonderoga. He went on to serve as Secretary of War when Washington became President, The house is a replica of the original and contains many items belonging to the Knox family. We’ll learn more about this fascinating American from one of the guides at the house.