Dear Sun Spots: I am doing some research on Joshua Chamberlain, and I was hoping Sun Spots could help me. I’ve visited the Chamberlain House Museum in Brunswick, and I know that it has been renovated somewhat a few years back, but nothing has been done in some time. I visited the Web site, and it doesn’t seem like it has been updated in some time, and the e-mails I have sent to the address on that page have not been returned. Are any further renovations planned for the house, or any fundraisers planned for renovations? Also, are there any floor plans of the house to show what it looked like when Chamberlain lived there? I think it is an important piece of history, and I hope they are able to restore it fully. Thank you! – Researcher in Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots had a very informative conversation with Brian Collins, the executive director of Pejepscot Historical Society. He mentioned that the Web site is being reworked and will be updated soon. Any questions you may have can be directed to him at briancollins@suscom-maine.net.

Fundraising efforts are in the works for renovations and include Chamberlain Days, a event held every other year. It is scheduled for Aug. 21 through Aug. 24 and will include lectures, a lobster bake and barbecue, Civil War re-enactments and will end with a procession to Chamberlain’s grave site. Tickets will be sold to this event. Please continue to check the Web site, http://community.curtislibrary.com/chamberlain.htm for updated information or feel free to contact Collins. Donations are also accepted through the Web site.

There are no floor plans of the house to show what it looked like when Chamberlain lived there, and Collins points out that since Chamberlain put the house together bit by bit, chances are he did not have floor plans. The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, located at 226 Maine St., Brunswick, was the home of Joshua L. Chamberlain and his family. Chamberlain was the hero of Little Round Top at Gettysburg during the Civil War, governor of Maine, and president of Bowdoin College.

Dear Sun Spots: Relating to “Lewiston Craft Hound” that appeared on April 12: I have the March 2008 issue of “Country Home” that (s)he is looking for. I would be happy to send it. – Kate, Livermore.

Dear Sun Spots: Joyful Friends Childcare is opening soon and we are still looking for items. Your donations are greatly appreciated! We need one pack and play, small swing set, oversized pillows for reading corners, bean bag chairs, books, mirrors, gymnastic equipment, dress-up clothes, cork boards, laser printer, markers, crayons, and craft supplies, children’s books on tape, CDs, 6 first-aid kits, kitchen items (pots and pans, etc), kids sleep mats, wooden puzzles, Play-Doh, doll houses and supplies, board games (for school age and preschool), puppets and puppet theaters, book displays, bouncy balls, flowers for planting, and sensory tables. Thank you! – Julie and Heather, Joyful Friends Childcare owners.

Dear Sun Spots: I am in need of a twin size bed. I realize that clean-up week is a few weeks away but if anyone would like to donate their twin bed, it would be great. I can pick it up. I can be reached at 786-7058, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thank you. – Anne, Lewiston.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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