Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center’s Board of Trustees will honor the late Lee Granville, long-time curator by dedicating the exhibit gallery in his name at 7 p.m. Wednesdsay, June 22, according to a news release from the museum and research center.

Granville served as the president of the Board of Trustees and later became the curator of the museum. Known as Mr. History in Skowhegan, Granville became the go to person when folks needed information pertaining to local history, places and people. He had a photographic memory, remembering most everything he read and could speak well on most any topic. He loved local history and strived to make history come alive as he guided visitors through the museum.

Under his guidance, the museum moved to digital technology and established best practices for handling and caring for the vast collections. The museum has become well known as one of the best small rural historic house museums in Maine, according to the release.

In addition to the gallery dedication, the Grand Opening of the new exhibit, “The Depot — Moving Skowhegan by Train and Car,” curated by former curator, Benjamin Doty, will formally open. The Depot shares the importance of the train and other forms of transportation utilized to move goods and people in 1850-1933. It also highlights the related businesses and services that developed around the depot center.

The Historic River Illustrative Panels and Overlook, funded by a Maine Community Foundation grant and local donations, will also be opened. Trustee Patricia Horine took the lead role in curating three illustrative panels that illustrate in both words and images the historic nature of businesses within sight from the river’s edge at the History House. Two of the panels are located on a new overlook beside the river which offers a pristine view of the Kennebec River and the footprints of numerous historic businesses which operated adjacent to the river. The third panel, located beside the recently developed exhibit featuring a scaled model of a bateau designed and constructed by Dr. David Axelman, illustrates the bateau and General Arnold’s failed expedition to Quebec.

The dedication and grand openings are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be offered. For more information, email [email protected].