GILEAD – The county’s newest historical society formed late last year with nearly 50 charter members.

The bicentennial bash in June had created such interest in the town’s past that many in this community of about 200 people decided to dig deeper and uncover the history of its industries, people and schools.

The Gilead Historical Society met for the first time in November. It’s still getting organized.

“People with connections to Gilead came out of the woodwork during the bicentennial,” said Bill Tout, a charter member and the treasurer.

One person, he remembers, was digging in his garden and discovered old railroad tracks. Others found pictures, furniture made in a long-past mill and dozens of other artifacts in their basements, attics and barns. Many are on display in the spruced-up, newly painted 1883 Town Hall just off Route 2 on Depot Street.

Lin Chapman, town clerk and president of the society, kept a file of newspaper clippings, photos of past and current buildings, and other historical data throughout the bicentennial year.

That binder was to go into a time capsule, along with two books on Gilead’s history and bicentennial souvenirs on Sunday in a fireproof vault at the Town Hall. It will be opened in 50 years.

Tout said the decision was made to place it in a town building, rather than bury it, because the sites of buried capsules are sometimes forgotten.

In March, the society plans to begin meeting regularly, probably in the Town Hall.

In addition to Gilead, charter members come from nearly a dozen states across the country, some as far away as Washington state and Oklahoma, all with ties to this small community.

The Bethel Historical Society has provided help to the new society as it organized, said Chapman. In fact, Randy Bennett, staff member of the Bethel organization, is among Gilead’s charter members.

The society plans to organize a lecture series, with the first by Howard Reiche and Hugh Chapman, authors of two books written about the town for its bicentennial.

Bethel Historical Society’s Stan Howe has offered to lecture, and others will be found as the society continues to organize.

Chapman also hopes the society will sponsor an annual historical event similar to some towns’ old home days. A newsletter is planned. And the society is looking for someone to volunteer as curator of the growing number of artifacts coming to the society.

“It was so great to see the community pull together for the bicentennial. We want to keep the momentum going,” said Chapman. “We want to make this work and to preserve Gilead’s history.”

Yearly dues range from $3 to $10 a year. Anyone interested may contact Chapman.