HARRISON – Scribner’s Mill Preservation Inc. will holding its 12th annual Back to the Past celebration Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7 and 8, next to the Crooked River in the village of Bolsters Mills.

The event celebrates old-time saw mill technology, lumbering, and homestead activities. The historic Scribner’s Mill is located on Scribner Mill Road south of the village that is separated by the river, which separates Harrison and Otisfield.

This year’s focus will be installing the mill’s original 16-foot wood lathe which was used to turn handles for peavies used for lifting or prying logs. Once installed, the first task will be to turn the frame for the mill’s sash saw.

In and around the mill will be exhibits of antique mill machinery turning out dry barrel parts, planed boards, and window sash construction. In the mill yard, brothers Roland and Tom Scribner will be at the antique shingle machinery cutting and edging shingles for use on the mill building. Stenciled souvenir shingles will be available for purchase. At the blacksmith shop, the blacksmith will be demonstrating metal work at his forge and a farrier will be shoeing her horse.

At the Scribner homestead there will be guided tours of the house on the hour and half hour. Butter making will be demonstrated at 11 a.m., and children of all ages will be invited to help churn homemade ice cream in the afternoon. Artisans will be in the woodshed and barn giving demonstrations throughout the day.

At the sales booth in front of the homestead, raffle tickets for this year’s quilt, made by the Scribner sisters, will be sold along with this years T-shirts. The drawing for the quilt will held Sunday at 3:30 p.m..

In the corn house area, children can enjoy old time games, explore a hay maze, have a pillow fight and hunt for pennies in a hay stack. Ox cart rides will be available Saturday by the Brass Knobs 4-H Steer Club. Besides ox cart rides the 4-H Steer Club will have log twitching demonstrations.

On Saturday will be the second annual Pig Roast and Baked Bean Supper served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The fare for the pig roast will include homemade baked beans, cole slaw and cake. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

On Sunday there will be 15 consecutive handcraft and trade workshops for basketry, broom making, quilting, kumihimo braiding, beginners spinning, lace knitting, tatting, primitive rug Hooking, Fly Fishing, Antique Auto Safety, Tractor Repair, Care and Use of Planes, Barrel making, blacksmithing, and timber framing. Most workshops will be giving twice during the day, starting at 9:30 and 1 p.m.

Proceeds for a timber frame building being constructed in a workshop during the event will be used for the habitat study required to restore the source of water power to operate the sawmill.

Sunday from 1 to 3:30 p.m., antique appraiser, Harry W. Hepburn III, will be available to do an Antique Road Show at Scribner’s Mill. Participants may bring their treasurers for a verbal appraisal with a $3 donation per item.

Handicap parking is at the homestead. Golf cart transportation is available. The site is open to the public at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. A food booth is available. There is also a Just Desserts booth which will include homemade pies and lemonade.

Admission to Back to the Past is $5 with children 12 and under free.

To reach Scribner’s Mill take Route 121 to Otisfield, then Bolsters Mills Road, then Jesse Mill Road, which is dirt. From Route 117, turn onto Bolsters Mills Road, then take Jesse Mill Road. Watch for the yellow and black “Back to the Past” signs directing to the site.

Funds generated from this event are used for the restoration of the mill site. For additional information phone 583-6455.