NEW GLOUCESTER — The town’s renovated History Barn, which has been open to the public since 2009 on the first Saturday of every month, is now sporting a hand-painted, wooden sign made from a 190-year-old tree that once grew in town.

Last month, New Gloucester Historical Society members Steve and Natalie Chandler put up the new sign. Steve made the sign and did the lettering by hand. The sign’s face came from the nearly two-century-old tree that stood off the Snow Hill Road. The trim came from a stash of lumber that Steve’s father, Warner, kept for many years. Steve has cared for the wood since his father’s death in 1975, taking it with him and his family to eight separate homes.

The sign is dedicated in Warner Chandler’s memory, because he taught Steve to “putter with wood to see what is hidden inside a tree,” Steve said.

The barn will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on March 2. Jean Libby, treasurer of the New Gloucester Historical Society, has been a regular, greeting the public regardless of weather conditions.

This Saturday the barn will display remaining items from the New Gloucester veterans’ display and all the items donated to the society during the past year. A recent gift in memory of three deceased members — Allison Strout, Everett Blake and Raymond Trask — will be used to defray the cost of purchasing storage for the group’s treasures.

The New Gloucester Historical Society is seeking members. Contact Jean Libby at 926-4538 for more information. Monthly meetings and a number of fundraising events are held throughout the year,  including the annual Strawberry Festival and the Apple Pie sale each fall.

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