Evelyn Adell Potter of Kents Hill waves thanks to the 60 attendees at the Readfield Historical Society annual meeting on April 30, when she was recognized as the organization’s 2022 volunteer of the year. At left is Milt Wright of Readfield, and at right is Bill Adams of Eddington. Submitted photo

The Readfield Historical Society recognized Evelyn Adell Potter as volunteer of the year at its annual meeting on April 30.

Bob Harris, RHS president, said that “Our organization is appreciative of Evelyn’s willingness — one might say eagerness — to share her stories, knowledge and skills with our members, visitors and townspeople, and for her valuable, continued support to the Readfield Historical Society,” according to a news release from the society.

Potter was born at Readfield Depot in 1930 and resided there until 1945, when she moved to Kents Hill. She and her husband Henry built their home there in 1953, where she lives to this day, surrounded by family.

Potter was administrative assistant to three headmasters at Kents Hill School. She worked in the Readfield Tax Assessor’s office for several years, as well as for a local pediatrician. She also served on Readfield’s Old Records Committee in the 1970s and 1980s, and participated in the first history walks during those years.

Her earliest ancestors settled in Readfield about 1775, and her family has lived there for 10 generations. Potter was one of RHS’s founding members in 1985 and continues as its historian and corresponding secretary; she still builds and indexes scrapbooks, and rarely misses opportunities to serve as a docent when she welcomes RHS visitors during the summer.

At age 91 she is still going strong and continues to be proud of her town.

The Readfield Historical Society’s museum and archives at 759 Main St. is scheduled to be open by appointment and on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Saturday, May 28, through Labor Day weekend.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 207-377-2299 or email readfieldhistorical@gmail.com.

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