The Dr. Moses and Agnes Straw Mason House in Bethel serves as a source of town pride for the past and a celebration of the present in its current role as a center for educational programs, exhibits, and functions.

BETHEL — Built in 1813 and seated in the heart of the Broad Street Historical District, the Dr. Moses and Agnes Straw Mason House in Bethel serves as a source of town pride for the past and a celebration of the present in its current role as a center for educational programs, exhibits, and functions. The property has nine period rooms and a renovated barn that brings visitors on a short “trip” back to 19th-century life.

To ensure the historic home continues to delight those who visit, the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society has launched a renovation project to make critical repairs, a cause that Norway Savings Bank has signed on to support, including a recent $2,000 donation.

“Norway Savings Bank has stepped up, and we are thankful that NSB appreciates the importance of this house as a resource that celebrates our shared history and offers so much,” said William Chapman, Executive Director/Curator at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, which owns and operates the Mason House.

“It’s an amazing place to visit with many remarkable features, including the Rufus Porter School wall murals and a large collection of items and records that help tell the story of early Bethel. It’s truly a unique experience,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank.

Dr. Moses Mason, a physician and businessman, was one of Bethel’s most prominent citizens, including serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His wife, Agnes, was a leader of the temperance movement in Oxford County.

One of the most popular traditions in the area is “Christmas at the Mason House,” held during the first week of December and showcasing the rooms as they might have been decorated for a 19th-century Christmas.

After decades of fulfilling the needs and quenching the curiosity of the tens of thousands of people who have walked through its doors, the Mason House now faces extensive needs of its own.

“We need to replace asbestos-containing roofing materials; repair window frames, sashes, and shutters; and replace some siding,” said Chapman. “Making these repairs now can ensure that the home remains a valuable part of our flourishing community.”

The renovation will enable MBHS to tackle some of its other longtime goals, including providing space for use by new community groups, increasing the number of special events and workshops at the house, and having more capacity to share additional exhibits and stories connected with the home and early Bethel.

“We’re appreciative that the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society has undertaken this important project to preserve a cultural element that will entertain and educate generations to come,” said Walsh. “NSB is happy to help and grateful for the opportunity to assist MBHS in their efforts to make sure Bethel’s past can be honored and celebrated into the future.”

For more information about the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, the Mason House and how you can visit, or to offer support to the cause, visit www.bethelhistorical.org.