STRONG — Following a successful debut last fall, the Franklin County History Tour will expand to two days this year.

Historical societies and sites banded together to all open on one Saturday in October for the first annual tour.

Those groups and some new ones are already planning for a tour to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 6 and Oct. 10, Jane Stinchfield, curator of the Phillips Historical Society, said.

A meeting to finalize plans for the event takes place April 25 at the Strong Historical Society on Main Street.

Plans were made within a short time-frame last fall. But organizers were happy with the result of the October tour, she said.

Several historical societies who opened for the first tour reported seeing new people. They came to see what was there and several people have since returned to spend more time viewing historical items, she said. The tour provides smaller historical societies with more exposure.

Cards detailing open historical societies and museums were created with a map highlighting each stop from which participants can pick and choose the places they want to visit, she said.

Those participating this year include Farmington Historical Society who will have the Titcomb House, the Octagon House and North Church open for the day.

Two museums in Kingfield, the Kingfield Historical Society and the Stanley Museum will open.

Livermore Falls plans to join in the tour opening the Maine’s Paper & Heritage Museum, she said.

Nowetah’s Indian Museum in New Portland is also joining the tour this year.

Madrid Historical Society and New Vineyard Historical Society will open their displays.

In Rangeley, three museums are open for the tour including the Rangeley Historical Society, the Outdoor Heritage Museum and Maine Forestry Museum, formerly called the Logging Museum, she said.

The Phillips Historical Society and the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Museum, also located in Phillips, will open as will the Hammond Museum in Strong, Temple Historical Society and the Wilton Farm and Home Museum.

Although the event is called a tour, it would be nearly impossible to visit all the sites. People have to pick and choose which ones they are most interested in. The second day this year provides for more opportunities, she said.

The museums plan to waive entrance fees for these tour days, she added.

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