AUGUSTA – L. Bradford Crafts of the Victorian Villa Rehabilitation Center, along with family and friends, visited with Sen. Bruce Bryant at the State House on April 7 where Crafts was honored at the Remember ME Photography Exhibit and Recognition Ceremony.

Crafts was honored along with 43 other Maine long-term care residents for their lifetime contributions to their communities, their state and their country. The event was sponsored by the Maine Health Care Association.

Crafts inherited the name Bradford (Brad as he prefers) from his ancestor, the late Gov. William Bradford, who came over on the Mayflower.

Crafts worked as a bookkeeper at the Wilton Woolen Mill before spending more than 25 years at International Paper Co. as a paper tester and in the Public Relations Department. He then became a freelancer for The Lewiston Daily Sun, now the Sun Journal.

Crafts was the driving force in developing the Jay Firemen’s Museum, which is dedicated in his name. He was also instrumental in organizing the Franklin County Firemen’s Association, serving as secretary for 30 years, as well as serving as secretary/treasurer for the Jay Fire Department for more than 52 years. He also served as a board member of the North Jay Water District for 56 years.

An avid historian, Crafts, 86, has written histories on many subjects, including the town of Jay. He is a collector of maps and documents dating back to the 1800s, old photographic equipment and old post cards, owning more than 5,000.

Crafts and his wife, Virginia, who has since died, had three children who have given them three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.


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