BETHEL — The Bethel Historical Society will open a refurbished and expanded exhibit about the town of Bethel in two recently renovated galleries on the second floor of the Robinson House on Tuesday, June 23.

Titled “Bethel: The Athens of Oxford County,” the new display will provide an overview of the community’s past, with special emphasis on some of the educational and intellectual activities that have made Bethel a well known small town.

The exhibit will feature a number of rare artifacts, historic images and scale models from the society’s permanent collection. Included will be a colorful, circa 1910 Converse Rubber Shoe Co. display stand recently donated to the society and once used at the Rowe-Carver Store (now Opera House Condominiums) on the Bethel Hill common.

As a special fundraiser, the donors of the unique (and large) merchandise rack will donate $10 to BHS for every visitor who attends the exhibit opening on June 23 wearing a pair of Converse tennis shoes or sneakers.

Located at Bethel (established in 1768 as “Sudbury Canada”), the Bethel Historical Society collects, preserves, displays and interprets the history of western Maine and the White Mountain region of Maine and New Hampshire through exhibits, lectures, events and publications.

The museums of the Bethel Historical Society feature six exhibit galleries and nine period rooms spread throughout two buildings: the 1821 O’Neil Robinson House and the 1813 Dr. Moses Mason House. An on-site research library contains books, manuscripts, maps and photographs available year-round by appointment. Throughout the year, the society provides a full schedule of events for people of all ages.

FMI: 207-824-2908, 800-824-2910.