Projects for 2008
McArthur Library
and
The New England Stoneworkers Preservation Society
Presents
Quarrying through YorkCounty
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During the Month of June:
View the traveling exibit in Sanford at the Goodall Memorial Lib.
Photo from the personal collection of Charles Butler Jr.
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June 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Franklin Historical Society, Franklin, ME.
"Quarrying Through Hancock County" Exhibit and Talk
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July 14th to August 30th
A Five Poster Exhibit at the Kennebunk Free Library:
"Granite Quarries of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport"
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Past Exibits
An Exhibit at
McArthur Library, Main St. Biddeford, ME
April 24 to May 24th of 2008
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Portrait of an 1850's Stonecutter
Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress with a link to their web site: http://www.loc.gov |
The traveling exhibit will be high-lightening the history and location of the stone workers and the granite quarries of York County. It will include 4 maps, 16 posters and 8 framed photos of the quarries and stoneworkers, including the names of some of the stoneworkers and owners of the granite companies. I am available upon request to give a power point presentation of my research so far, as there is much more to follow.
In Biddeford, there was an active labor union established in 1886 for the stoneworkers, which was called the Granite Cutters International Union- 1877 to 1977. There were 15 quarries scattered throughout York County, starting in 1826 with Milk Island of Cape Porpoise, along with Kennebunkport, Alfred, Arundel, Biddeford, North Berwick, to the present working quarry, which is the Millennium Quarry in Wells.
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Wood Island Light built w/ granite blocks
Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress with a link to their web site: http://www.loc.gov |
I am also looking for stories, photos, artifacts and locations of the stoneworkers and their work places, the quarries and cutting sheds. The artifacts and photos are often tucked away in the attics and cellars of their relatives who worked in the quarries and on the ships that transported the granite to near and far away places. The articles will be given back to you or can be donated to the local town or city historical society. I will be sharing their memories on-line and in a future publications.
My Upcoming exhibits and talks will take place throughout York County:
Dorothea J. McKenzie #207-590-1547 or email: dreamtraveler2001@yahoo.com
Read more about my 2008 projects >
Map of Cape Porpoise, click image to see a much larger version.
Map illustration created by Mark McKenzie of Saco River Graphics
Kennebunkport Granite and Railroad Shares Certificate Reproduction,
click to see larger view | Certificate Courtesy of Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk, ME
Goat Island Lighthouse,
The 1826 quarry was located on tiny Milk Island located nearby
Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress with a link to their web site: http://www.loc.gov
"Quarry was located at the end of Forest Street in Biddeford. Going south on Route I just after route 111 branches out to go to Alfred. Forest street is a left right after the Woodlawn Cemetary. You will see the water tower. From the google earth picture I sent you it might be in that large clearing to the south of the water tower. As a young kid I remember a deep hole and there were three cables to get from one side to the other. You held on to two cables and walked on the third one." Bill Miller, image courtesy Google Earth
Past Projectss
