BETHEL – The Bethel Historical Society will sponsor a tour of approximately a dozen Bethel area barns between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. The day will also include a roast pork supper at 5 p.m. at Alder River Grange 145, East Bethel, followed by a free lecture on Maine barns by Christi Mitchell of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The day will end with an old-time dance again at the Grange hall featuring the Richard Felt Band.

In 2005, the society hosted the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition, “Barn Again: Celebrating an American Icon,” which brought people from many places to the society’s regional history center.

One of the events that accompanied the exhibit was a local barn tour. There have been numerous requests from the public to repeat the venture. A number of barns not included last time will be available to visit this time.

Barns are rapidly disappearing from the Maine and national landscape. The tour is designed to celebrate barns and help Mainers and the American people to more fully recognize their historical significance and find ways to ensure their preservation for generations. Those wishing more information should call the society at 824-2908 or 800-824-2910, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.bethelhistorical.org. The society’s mailing address is P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217-0012.