BETHEL — The Bethel Harvest Fest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 19, will include the Bethel Historical Society’s 2009 Barn Tour among the events of the day. A tour of several historic barns ranging from an English barn in Northwest Bethel to two outstanding barns in the eastern part of Rumford will be featured.

Along the way from Bethel to Rumford, participants can visit several other barns, including the 1820s Hastings Homestead barn on Broad Street, which will feature cider making. The hours for the tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for admission to these barns will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, at the Society’s O’Neil Robinson House, directly across Broad Street from the town common. The ticket price is $10 each person.

There will be a grange supper at Alder River Grange, 1895 Intervale Rd. at 5 p.m. Following the supper, Stanley R. Howe, Maine State Grange historian and executive director of the Bethel Historical Society, will present a free lecture on Maine Grange Halls in the meeting room of the Dr. Moses Mason House, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

With more than 1,100 members, the Bethel Historical Society, founded in 1966, is western Maine’s largest and most comprehensive full-time historical agency, dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the regional past for present and future generations. For more than 40 years, the society’s activities have included lectures, exhibits, special events, heritage festivals, family reunions, workshops, conferences, school and educational programs and publications.

In 1974, the society acquired the former Broad Street residence of Dr. Moses Mason, which now contains a period house museum, exhibit hall and research library. In 1999, the society opened the O’Neil Robinson House to the public for an expanded exhibit program, museum shop space and administrative offices.

Further information about the society and its activities may be obtained by calling 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Additional information can also be obtained by checking the society’s Web site at www.bethelhistorical.org.