Mechanic Falls Historical Society plans to hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12, downstairs in the Municipal Building gym.

Since the society moved its collection to its present quarters at the Municipal Building, it has been organizing it to provide essential information about the history of the community.

The open house will feature almost every issue of the Mechanic Falls High School yearbook, the Pilot, including the first.

Copies of every town report since the town’s 1893 incorporation will be displayed, as well as bound issues of the Mechanic Falls Ledger, a weekly newspaper which was published from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

Thanks to Pamela Penney the society has acquired numerous issues of the Lewiston Evening Journal from the 1940s, during which the headlines primarily told the story of the Second World War and its aftermath.

The public also can view numerous photographs, advertising playbills, and assorted documents and paraphernalia associated with the town, its people and its various commercial establishments, particularly the paper mill operation which was once the major employer and life blood in town.

The exhibit includes information and items heralding the J.W. Penney Company, iron foundry and a manufacturer of machines and steam engines — notably known for building the prototype engine for the Stanley Steamer.

The society also has a number of dies from the foundry of the Penney company, which Down East Machine gave to the society in 2020. Since the dies take up an immense amount of space, the society has been given permission by the Penney family and the town to offer them for sale as a fundraiser. They will be on display for purchase.

For more information, email erikspetersons6@gmail.com.

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