AUGUSTA — As Maine begins to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kennebec Historical Society plans to open to walk-in research starting Tuesday, June 1.

In accordance with the latest state guidance, researchers are welcome to wear a mask, but it is no longer required. The society also encourages anyone to stay home if they are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, chills, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, nausea, or vomiting.

The Henry Weld Fuller Jr. house, which was previously only open by appointment, will allow visitors to research its Kennebec County collections and receive a brief tour of the building. The Fuller house at 107 Winthrop St. serves as the society’s headquarters, and its climate-controlled archive is recognized by the state as an alternative repository for government records.

The society collects documents, photographs, manuscripts, books, ephemera, maps, and scrapbooks related to all Kennebec County communities and their history. Over the years, the society has accumulated these unique personal holdings which cannot be found anywhere else.

Visitors include mostly residents and former residents of Kennebec County’s 30 municipalities who are interested in local or Maine history, people researching the history of their homes or families, and students doing research for high school or college assignments. Additionally, the society answers many email requests from all over the United States for genealogical and historical information.

Open hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Researchers are still able to schedule appointments if unable to come during normal operating hours.

For more information, call Scott Wood, executive director, at 207-622-7718 or email him at kennhis1891@gmail.com.

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