BETHEL — The Bethel Historical Society’s annual history symposium will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Dr. Moses Mason House exhibit hall. The subject will be “Dr. John George Gehring and His Bethel Clinic.”

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1857, John G. Gehring was a medical doctor who, about 1896, established a clinic in Bethel at the end of Broad Street to treat persons with nervous disorders.

His private treatment center soon developed a national reputation. Among the first clients were a number of Harvard University professors — so many, in fact, that Bethel was soon recognized as “the resting place of Harvard University.” In later years, well-to-do people from New York society journeyed to Bethel, and they were soon followed by persons from all over the world.

Author of “The Hope of the Variant” (1924) and the subject of Robert Herrick’s 1911 novel, “The Master of the Inn,” Gehring also included among his “guests” the poet and essayist, Max Eastman; solar astronomer, George Ellery Hale; and the philanthropist, William Bingham II. The clinic continued to function until about 1926, when Gehring’s health began to decline.

A keynote address on Gehring’s work will be presented by Benjamin Harris, professor of psychology at the University of New Hampshire. His presentation, made possible in part by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council, will be followed by commentary from Bethel Historical society board President William D. Andrews and society Associate Director Stanley R. Howe.

Participation in the symposium is free, but donations will be accepted. It is open to all interested persons.

For more information, call 824-2908 or 800-824-2910 or email [email protected].

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