The Portland Brass Quintet will present a two-hour concert at the annual July 4 gathering.

BETHEL – The 11th annual community picnic will be held on the grounds of the Bethel Historical Society’s Dr. Moses Mason House on the Fourth of July, beginning around noon.

Those attending should bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while listening to a concert by the Portland Brass Quintet, which will play a variety of music during their two-hour concert. If the weather is rainy, the concert will be held at the historic Middle Intervale Meetinghouse (1816) on Intervale Road.

There is no admission charge and anyone interested in attending is welcome. Those wishing to make a tax deductible donation to support the appearance of the quintet are invited to do so by sending a gift to the society at P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217-0012.

This event follows in the tradition of Dr. Moses Mason who opened his grove in the 1850s and 1860s to the public each July 4th to enjoy a picnic while listening to patriotic orations and music.

Edwin “Bill” Robertson presented the second in the 2003 History of Maine Transportation Series recently discussing rail lines beginning in Maine and extending into New Hampshire and Vermont, several of which no longer exist.

Robertson’s slide presentation included rare views that he has managed to take throughout a lifetime of following rail history closely as well as copies he has made of vintage photos dating well back into the 19th century. His appearance as a participant in the 2003 Lecture Series was made possible in part by a grant from the New Century Community Program and the Maine Humanities Council.

On June 14, the society’s Regional History Center hosted a Maine Archives and Museum Regional Workshop that focused on genealogical and historical research. Discussing historical research was Jean Hankins, Ph.D., of the Otisfield Historical Society, who described her methods of gathering information and the writing of history for the reader.

She was followed by Ben B. Conant of the Paris Cape Historical Society, who made a presentation on how to conduct genealogical research and offered suggestions of possible sources that might be explored in pursuit of those in one’s family tree. The final session during the morning featured James Henderson, Ph.D., the state archivist, who described the services offered by the archives and made several suggestions for more successful searching of the institution’s collections. Following a brown bag lunch, participants toured the center.

Society Executive Director Stan Howe also presented a lecture on Bethel’s Broad Street as the final event of the day, describing how the history of the street continues to evolve not only with the passage of time, but also with new historical information coming to light every now and then. Workshop participants came from many parts of the state, ranging from Belfast to Abbott.

The society was founded in 1966. Since 1974, the society has operated from its Broad Street headquarters, the Dr. Moses Mason House, a period house museum and research library. In 1999, it opened the O’Neil Robinson House (next door) to the public for an expanded exhibit program, museum shop space and administrative offices.

Through the years, the society’s achievements have been recognized by a number of state and national organizations.

Further information about the society and its activities may be obtained by calling (207) 824-2908 or (800) 824-2910 or emailing: [email protected]