The building is the only remaining structure of the 1893 Columbian Exposition.

POLAND SPRING – The grand opening of the Nettie Ricker Art Gallery at the Maine State Building took place on May 17. During the course of the afternoon more than 150 people viewed the art and exhibits.

The gallery featured the following artists: Gene Fuller, Cyndi Robbins, Andrea vanVorstvanBeest, Katherin Rohnert and David Smus.

The bust of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow returned to the third floor of the Maine State Building after 37 years. The bust had been sold at auction in 1967 and he has been brought back on a long-term loan. The artists for the next exhibit will begin their show on June 17.

The Maine State Building has other changes. The second floor features the Poland Spring Hotel model (refurbished by Larry Smith from New Gloucester, who built it in 1984), the new Menu Room (more than 20 antique menus printed on the hill), and other changes

The first floor has seen three rooms changed. The Frank Carlos Griffith Research Library has been established in the old office of the head librarian and editor of the Hilltop magazine. The library contained more than 10,000 volumes. The bulk of the effort is funded through a grant by the Davis Family Foundation of Falmouth.

The World Fair Room celebrates the 1893 Columbian Exposition, which was the main reason the Maine State Building was built. The building is the only structure of the fair that still remains.

The third new room on the floor is the Bride’s Room. This room is where the bride and bridesmaids make their final preparations before the wedding in the All Souls Chapel.

The concert series began June 2. For more information, call 998-4142. The gift shop will be open before and after each concert. The schedule for the Maine State Building and the All Souls Chapel is Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. The gift shop will be open during these hours. It is located on Preservation Way off Route 26.