LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP — A remote region east of Kingfield has a rich agricultural and logging history that was slipping quietly into oblivion.

Twenty years ago, a tiny group of current and former residents formed the Lexington Historical Society to preserve and share those stories. The organization grew quickly, elected officers, drafted bylaws and applied for nonprofit status.

Emmons Pinkham, the society’s president, said that among all the members, they had “an amazing collection” of town records, historical documents, memorabilia, and resources that were part of their shared histories, and their shared goals became very focused.

“Our mission is defined as preservation of whatever relates to topography, antiquities, civil, religious, social, literary, and natural history of the Lexington community,” Pinkham said.

According to the Historical Society’s research, the area was first settled in 1807 and was part of a large tract of land given by Massachusetts lottery. William King served as the land agent and later became the first Maine governor. He wanted to name the area Frazier Township, in recognition of his wife’s family name.

“Reportedly, two Revolutionary War veterans favored the name Lexington, considering the proximity of Concord, which had already been named in recognition of the historical Lexington and Concord connection in Massachusetts,” Pinkham said.

The debate was settled, and Lexington became incorporated in 1833. During the mid-1800s, at least 560 residents lived in the area. Most of them were farmers or loggers, with enough business to support a post office, blacksmith shop, inns, dance halls, a town office, granary, lumber mills, and eight school districts.

As the population declined, Lexington became a plantation and then an unorganized township in the mid-1930s. Today, 150 residents remain. Most of the old buildings are gone, but Historical Society members were determined to foster community pride and reconnect to their heritage by building a History House for artifacts, meetings and sharing of stories.

Members Jim and Linda Taylor provided a 99-year lease on their Lydia Boynton Corner property, and dozens of volunteers spent weeks clearing the land, building a road, and pouring a foundation. Even the house itself will be part of local history.

“The lumber to build the house comes from trees on the Taylor property, and we sawed all that wood on a portable sawmill,” Pinkham said.

The hours of hammering and nailing produced a tight 24-foot by 28-foot, two-story shell by December of last year. Members have bonded like a small family, Pinkham said, and they were devastated when Linda Taylor lost her battle with cancer in March. Still, members returned to their building efforts this past spring and summer, determined to complete the next one-third of the project.

They’re completing a summer kitchen, front porch, chimney, and adding electrical service, rough plumbing, insulation and siding. They have graded and seeded the area around the building. By the end of 2012, they expect to finish interior work, adding running water and toilets, and they are looking for a piece of granite for the base for the porch steps.

Members will bring stored collections from their homes and begin the long and detailed process of inventorying and labeling every item. They have started genealogical research of early area families, Pinkham said, and they hope to pique the interest of young people. They’ve received generous financial support from their extended communities and charitable donations from the Davis Foundation, Plum Creek Timber and the Somerset County Commissioners.

More creative fundraising efforts continue with a July 16 afternoon and evening of old-fashioned variety-show entertainment, with donations going to the building fund.

The afternoon program includes a special piece of Franklin County history, Pinkham said. The featured Tenbartones singing group began at Farmington State Teachers College in the early 1950s, and Pinkham has recruited three other original members, Ellsworth Crocker of Farmington, Hugh Keene of Auburn, and John Watson of Mexico, as well as their wives and friends, to join him in a “Salute To Broadway.”

For more information about the Historical House building project or the July 16 shows, call Pinkham at 465-8238 or Jim Taylor at 628-2762.

Information box for July 16 Fundraiser

Where: Happy Horseshoe Campground in Lexington Township

When: 2 p.m. Afternoon Delight Variety Show:

* The Tenbartones “Salute to Broadway”

* Keith Ruff’s Keyboard Comedy

* Valerie Burbank’s Karaoke

* Vocal and piano prodigy Olivia Merrill

* The Betmar Broads

7 p.m. Evening Variety Show:

Kennebec Valley Chordsmen Barbershop Harmony

Mystery guest

Comedy of Karen Pease