The California man will be present to sign his books on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

BETHEL – Bethel Historical Society life member Robert A. Spidell of San Clemente, Calif., will be present from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the O’Neil Robinson House to sign copies of his new book, “Pynelis Journals.”

There will be a reception and a special exhibit of Pynelis memorabilia, including the original journals. To his transcription of the journals, Spidell has added hundred of footnotes, five pages of maps, 60 old Pynelis and Andover-related photographs, some two dozen documents and lots of explanations to make the original text come alive in a volume that runs more than 450 pages.

For those not able to attend the book signing, copies of the book will be available in the society’s museum shop.

In 1887 Hales W. Suter, a prominent Boston attorney, built an elegant, shingle-style summer home in Andover so he could be near the fishing opportunities available in the lakes region to the north. He called the house “Pynelis” because it was located on a bluff covered with pine trees and overlooked the Ellis River. Pynelis is still there and not greatly changed from the days of the Suters.

From 1888 to 1937 Suter, his descendants and guests kept a daily record of their activities in what became three hand-written, leather-bound journals. They called these the “Pynelis Journals,” and the volumes, now preserved in the research library at the Bethel Historical Society, provide a record of daily life in Andover and how it changed during that half century.

Pynelis had a tennis court and golf course; the Suters kept a record of who played the games and the scores. At the time of the construction, they frequently rode horses from Portland to Andover and later took the train, first to Bryant Pond, then Rumford and later Frye. As time passed, horses and trains were replaced by automobiles. The first auto trip from Portland to Andover took place in 1903 and lasted more than seven hours.

The Suters and their guests hiked up nearby mountains and they fished in area brooks and rivers. They also kept detailed records of the local residents who worked for them.

More information can be obtained by calling the Bethel Historical Society at 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910 or by using the e-mail address, [email protected].