Cutline (Baxter) – Dede Perkins opens the gate at the Baxter Museum, which opens for public tours on Thursday, July 7. Staff photo by Robert Lowell
Baxter desk back home, museum opens in July
When the Baxter Museum opens for the summer next month, visitors will see a historic desk, which was recently returned to the home.
Dede Perkins, a museum trustee, said the desk, which had belonged to Dr. Elihu Baxter, was donated to the museum by a woman in Philadelphia. The museum acquired the desk two weeks ago.
The desk, which will be displayed in the music room, has a brass plate inscribed with the name of the doctor, a Gorham physician in the 1800s. It also bears the marks of a boy who grew to become a Maine governor. Percival P. Baxter, the doctor’s grandson, apparently carved his initials into the desk. He was governor from 1921 to 1925.
The museum, 67 South St., features Baxter family memorabilia among other Gorham historical items and Civil War artifacts. The museum has a collection of portraits and paintings.
It also houses memorabilia of Annie Louise Cary, an international opera star. Cary graduated from Gorham Seminary in 1860.
Gov. Baxter was the son of James Phinney Baxter, a benefactor who gave Gorham the family home as a museum along with money to build the Baxter Memorial Library. James Phinney Baxter was a longtime mayor of Portland.
The Gorham Garden Club maintains the garden at the museum. Isaac Gilkey built the Baxter House in 1797. Hugh McLellan who wrote the “History of Gorham,” reported that Gilkey was a “famous carpenter.”
The Baxter Museum will be open for tours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on July 7 and continuing through Aug. 30. It will also be open 10 a.m. to noon on two Saturdays, July 23 and Aug. 20.
Perkins said admission to the museum is free, but a basket would be available for those who wish to donate.
Cutline: Alicia Anne and Greg
Durgin, Lavertu engagement
Gerry and Ellen Durgin of Gorham announce the engagement of their daughter, Alicia Anne, to Greg Lavertu, son of Claudette Martin of Madawaska and the late Manus Lavertu.
The future bride is a 1998 graduate of Gorham High School and a 2002 graduate of St. Joseph’s College. She is employed by Maine Medical Center as a registered nurse.
The future groom is a 1993 graduate of Madawaska High School and a 1997 graduate of UMPI and 2001 graduate of Southern Maine Technical College. He is employed by Maine Medical Center as a respiratory therapist.
An October 2005 wedding is planned.
‘Old’ White Rock School reunion reminder
A reunion for all former students of the “old” White Rock School on Wilson Road will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, at the “old” school, which is now the White Rock Community Club.
Alumni are asked to take pictures and share stories of their school days. Class photos will be taken at 2 p.m. and will be available for purchase.
Lunch will be served. For more information, call 892-4337.
‘Peep Fest’ at Centre of Movement
The Centre of Movement School of Performing Arts is sponsoring its first “Peep Fest,” which began on Monday and continues through Friday, June 24. The fest features creations of baby chicks made from marshmallows.
A “Peep Carnival” will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, and a “Peep Gala” with music and dancing will be from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 24. A workshop for creating Peeps was held on Monday. Peep art will be on display 4 to 7 p.m. through Friday. There’ll be voting for the “Peeples Choice” award.
For more information, call 839-3267.
50 years ago
The Westbrook American reported in its issue of Wednesday, June 22, 1955, that Mrs. Edward Tabor of West Gorham was spending a month visiting with her son, Cmdr. Edward A. Tabor Jr., and family at Portsmouth, Va.
U.S. taxpayer debt
The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Wednesday, June 15, that the U.S. public debt was $7,786,439,534,447.57.
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