BETHEL — Lewiston native Thomas Desjardin, historic site specialist with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and a Civil War scholar, was the featured speaker at the 43rd annual meeting of the Bethel Historical Society on Sept. 10. His topic was “Oxford County and the Civil War.”

Educated at Florida State University with a Ph.D. from the University of Maine, he is the author of several books on Civil War topics, including “Stand Firm Ye Boys From Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign,” published by Oxford University Press.

In his PowerPoint presentation, Desjardin made a number of comparisons between what was happening on the national level and in Oxford County. The first casualty of the war is believed to be an Oxford County man serving in a Massachusetts regiment. Vice President Hannibal Hamlin of Paris Hill actually served as an enlisted man. The County sent many men to serve, including Clark S. Edwards of Bethel, who commanded the 5th Maine at Gettysburg.

One of the conclusions, Desjardin said, was that Oxford County lost more population than other counties in Maine as a result of the war. Men saw other parts of the nation and did not want to return to eke out a living in the stubborn rocky soils of Oxford County.

Prior to the lecture, a potluck supper was enjoyed by more than 40 members and friends. Following the supper, there was a brief annual meeting conducted by President Susan Herlihy. She announced that the report of the last annual meeting and the financial statement had been previously published in the society’s “Courier.”

A moment of silence was observed for all those members who had died since the last annual meeting. These included: Ruth Sorofman, Arthur Johnson, Arlene G. Brown, Virginia D. Keniston, Nancy Coe Wells, Elden Bennett, Elmer Lyons, Clarice Gibson, Helen Anna Morton, Sarah Stevens, Ida C. Bryant, Kathleen Spaulding Bean, Josephine Monahan, Gwyneth Bohr, Allan Carlson and Edward V. Bush. 

In her review of some of the highlights of the past year, Herlihy cited 54 gifts to the museum collection and research library, the addition of 60 new members, a successful conference on the history of the Maine Grange and the acquisition of new computer and telephone systems. In addition to the usual special events and monthly lectures, she said the society sponsored two symposiums in the spring on Bethel women writers and Abraham Lincoln and New England in commemoration of the bicentenary of his birth.

Also cited was the hiring of Jim Dock as development director, the raising of more than $47,000 for the annual fund, the adoption by the board of trustees of the strategic plan and the addition of a handicapped ramp and bathroom to the Robinson House with grants from the Davis Family Foundation and Franklin Savings Bank.

A reader/printer was acquired through the Davis Family Foundation and an infrastructure matching grant from the Maine Humanities Council. The Davis Family Foundation grant will also allow the society to secure additional steel shelving for collection storage. Edie Doyle was the 2009 student intern.

Ken Bohr, chairman of the society’s Historic Preservation Committee, presented the 2009 Bethel Historical Society Preservation Award to William Weston of Rumford, whose barn will be included on the 2009 Society Barn Tour on Saturday, Sept. 19. Longtime member Annie Hastings was also presented an “honorable mention” preservation award for her careful stewardship of her home at the corner of Main and Broad. 

Herlihy presented the 2009 Marjorie MacArthur Noll Volunteer Service Award to Walt and Carol Hatch. She said, “It is a great pleasure to present this award for outstanding volunteer service to Walt and Carol Hatch for their many years of selfless donation to the society beginning in about 1990. Walt has served in many capacities and offices, including secretary, vice president, president, board chair and especially treasurer with distinction. Among other contributions, Carol has also performed outstanding service for several years during which she kept the kitchen tidy and the bathrooms clean. Few organizations in the community have had such active and generous benefactors for so many years.” 

Two honorary memberships were awarded by vote of the board of trustees and were announced since both recipients were unable to be present. To be selected as an honorary member, one must be at least 75 years of age and have compiled a long record of service to the society. Herlihy presented one to Lucia Schwarz, who has been a “stalwart” assembling and preparing for mailing society publications for many years. She has also worked in the society’s gardens, on the New Year’s event and a hostess at house tours. The other was awarded to Jackie VanLeuven, who has served in numerous capacities through the years including the New Year’s Bethel committee, trustee, capital campaign and as a museum shop volunteer. 

Al Cressy announced for the Committee on Trustees the following officer and trustee nominations: Susan Herlihy, president; William Andrews, vice president; Kent Taylor, secretary; Sylvia Clanton, treasurer; Nancy Davis, Jacalyn Bell, William Straus, Jack Brooks, and Nancy Stowell White, trustees. The slate was approved without dissent. 

Herlihy thanked retiring treasurer Walt Hatch for his long record of service to the board.

Development Committee chairman Kent Taylor discussed the revised dues structure, which was approved by the membership. 

The 2009 annual meeting was adjourned and the speaker was introduced by Executive Director Stanley R. Howe.

For more information about the society and its activities, call 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.