BETHEL — William Weston’s circa 1880 barn in Rumford was selected for the 2009 Historic Preservation Award. A large three-story barn with an elaborate cupola, it was one of 10 barns listed on the 2009 Bethel Historical Society Barn Tour on Sept. 19 that brought people from as far away as Ireland.

Other barns on the tour were the circa 1845 New England barn in Rumford, owned by the Abbott family for generations; the 1850s English barn, owned by Ernest Angevine on North Road, Bethel; the early 19th century Haines barn in East Bethel, owned by Peter Haines; the mid-19th century Kimball/Mills/Marshall barn in Middle Intervale; the 1850s Rowe/Ames/Taylor barn on Broad Street; also on Broad Street were the Dr. Moses Mason barn of 1813 and the 1820s Hastings Homestead barn, where fresh cider was being pressed.

A supper at Alder River Grange 145 at East Bethel was followed by a lecture by Stanley R. Howe, Maine State Grange historian and executive director of the Bethel Historical Society. Howe spoke on Maine Grange halls in the meeting room of the Dr. Moses Mason House, making the point that the design of and operations in many Maine barns may have been influenced by discussions at meetings in Grange halls. Farmers were often trying to make their barns more efficient and sometimes ideas on improvement were heard at Grange meetings and gatherings.

Further information about the society and its activities may be obtained by calling 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Additional information can also be obtained by checking the society’s Web site at www.bethelhistorical.org.