BETHEL – Piglet was rooting around the yard of an early 19th century barn Friday afternoon. The pot-bellied pig owned by Pooh Farms joined dozens of people at the Dr. Moses Mason House, a barn-turned-exhibit-hall, to celebrate the opening of Barn Again!, a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. It is the first time such an exhibit has come to western Maine, and Bethel Historical Society Executive Director Stan Howe was delighted.
“Having Bethel picked is really an honor and a privilege,” he told the crowd at the grand opening Friday.
The traveling exhibit is part of the national institution’s Museum on Main Street series and is finishing up its three Maine venues in Bethel. It was on display at the Saco Museum from April through early June, and in the northern Maine town of Lille from mid-June through Aug. 12.
Residents may visit the display of pictures, paintings, three-dimensional barn models, history, and farm-related items at the Bethel Historical Society’s museum from 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, through Oct. 22.
Ann Murphy of Waltham, Mass., who is staying at the Bethel Inn, discovered the barn exhibit on her next-to-last day of vacation. She’s a barn enthusiast, and she said she was thrilled to be able to see the display.
“I’ve taken long bike rides around the area this week and took pictures of historic barns and newer ones. I hope to sketch or draw them when I get home,” she said.
The theme of the exhibit is celebrating an American icon, something Murphy understands.
“They personify the essence of Americana, the American community with the barn-raisings, families and farms,” she said.
Janeen Conyngham of Noxen, Pa., discovered the exhibit when she spotted Piglet wandering around the barn’s grounds.
“My husband is a blacksmith and he does hinges. We just love old things,” she said.
Steve Thomas of Roxbury was visiting the museum with his family. He said he felt a special kinship with the display. In his small Oxford County town he owns the Walker farm, which includes a 200-year-old barn.
“We love old antique stuff,” he said.
The display includes five large kiosks filled with information and graphics of all kinds of barns – New England barns, English barns, barns built into hillsides, ones attached to farmhouses, and round barns. There were also several large posters offering additional historical information, and a separate exhibit designed by the Bethel Historical Society focusing on Bethel’s agricultural history.
The exhibit is a collaboration of the Maine Humanities Council, the Bethel Historical Society and several other cultural organizations.
Dorothy Schwartz, executive director of the Maine Humanities Council, said the exhibit is an effort by the state to provide historical, educational and cultural resources to residents.
She expects nearly 15,000 people will have viewed the exhibit when it winds up in October.
Chad Dimond, a videographer from MPBN, was also filming a segment for the public television series, “Made in Maine.” The segment is expected to be aired in winter, he said.
The Bethel Historical Society has also planned a series of events to parallel the barn exhibit, including a local barn tour and barn dance on Sept. 17, a harvest supper and performance by a Maine humorist on Oct. 8, and lectures on Sept. 8, Oct. 13 and Oct. 22.
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