Projects in Local History in the Aroostook State Normal School Sprague' Journal of Maine History Volume 9, No. 1 1921 Published by John Francis Sprague Dover, Maine page 36-40 Contributed by Androscoggin Historical Society http://www.rootsweb.com/~meandrhs Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Maine's Centennial Celebration is over but not so it memories. They will continue to thrill with pride the hearts of her sons and daughters until another hundred years of achievement, greater even than the last, shall inspire those living in 2020 to prepare a better and more worthy commemoration. Something like seventy towns and cities from Kittery to Mada-waska, from Eastport to Upton, and a large number of schools have in some way contributed to the success of the Centennial and have given citizens in all parts of the State a renewed interest in its history. History like charity should begin at home, and in order that our boys and girls may become the best American citizens they must know something of home affairs and local interest. No man or woman can be considered broad-minded or well educated who is indifferent to the conditions of the community of which he or she is a part. In our schools then, the child must be taught that his town is a unit of the county, the county of the state, the state of the nation, in order to develop an intelligent and elevating civic patriotism and to put him more fully in touch with his local political, social and industrial environment. In doing this a long stride had been made toward teaching him to know and love his country. Local history has received far too little attention in our land. We are careless of our relics and monuments, which to be sure are of a different kind from those of Europe but no less interesting and important to preserve. Let us trust that a deep appreciation of the value of Maine splendid history shall be one lesson learned and remembered from the Centennial. During the year Dr. Thomas, State Superintendent of Schools, issued a booklet called "One Hundred Years of Statehood," which contains may helpful suggestions for studying local history accord-ing to the "source" method. This little book so fascinated me that I was seized with a desire to see how big a project could be worked out in my history class, so when the fall term opened, each student was given a copy and it was read aloud during the recitation period with a view to carry-ing out many of its suggestions. There were thirty-four member in the class. They came from all parts of the county and from several towns outside of Aroos-took. The variety of interest added zest to the problem and from that day until the project was completed, there was no lack of interest shown. To describe fully each project would make this article too long, but in order to give an adequate idea of the scope of the under-taking, perhaps it is best to enumerate them and the state briefly the sources from which the material was secured. History of the Railroads in Aroostook - Material obtained from old newspaper clippings and scrapbook. History of the Presque Isle Public Library - Obtained from the libra-rian and members of committee at time of establishment. The Churches of Presque Isle - From past and present ministers and church records. The Village Schools of Presque Isle - From Rev. G. M. Park, town historian; past and present superintendents of schools; town reports, school reports and catalogs. The Rural Schools of Presque Isle -From History of Aroostook by Hon. Edward Wiggin; Supt. S. E. Preble; town reports 1883-1920; "Star Herald." Our Service Flag - A story of Presque Isle's war service, from information secured from Col. Frank M. Hume; Capt. E. H. Cooper; Principal of P. I. H. S.; Ernest M. Libby, Y. M. C. A. worker; Y. D. Roster, and several ex-service men. History of Madawaska - Pictures, data from old citizens. Churches of Madawaska - From the History of Madawaska, super-intendent of schools, citizens. History of Madawaska Training School - From Miss Mary Now-land, many years the principal. Protection of Wild Lands - From Maine Forestry Department; Chas. L. Week, Chief Warden of Aroostook and Big Machias Rivers. The Canning Industry in Maine - From E. M. Lang, Jr. Port-land; Miss Alfreda Ellis, Assistant State Club Leader, Orono. Northern Maine Fair - From secretary's reports; president of the association. Potato Industry in Aroostook - From F. P. Loring, Instructor in Agriculture; Maine Department of Agriculture Year Book; school library; farmers. An Aroostook Industry, Lime - From Mr. Dane Willard, pro-moter of the idea. Automobiles in Presque Isle - From L. S. Bean and other deal-ers; papers. History of Fort Fairfield - From Ellis's History; Census Book 1920; citizens. Town Schools of Fort Fairfield - From Fort Fairfield Register; Public Library; Town Reports. Churches of Fort Fairfield - From Ellis' History; Report of 1904; pastors; citizens. Sports that Children Enjoy - From Playground Magazines, per-sonal observation and experience. History of Aroostook State Normal School - From Rev. G. M. Park; teachers in the school at it opening; school catalogs; "Sal-magundi," the school paper. Lumbering in Penobscot - From Thoreau's "Maine Woods"; E. E. Draper, Bangor; Delmont Emerson, Island Falls; Merrill Mill Co., Patten; Henry Prentiss, Bangor; Bangor Commerical April 20, 1920. Lumbering in Aroostook - From woodsmen, dealers in lumber. History of New Sweden - From a book written about New Swe-den in 1880 by M. E. Olson; citizens. History of Maine Central Institute - Catalogs, reports, alumni. The Starch Industry - From Rev. G. M. Park, H. E. Duncan. History of Sherman - From a descendant of the pioneer settler and other citizens; town records. History of Caribou - From A. W. Spaulding, a prominent citizen, newspaper articles, Public Library, Hon. Edward Wiggin's history. History of Hartland - From Eastern Somerset County Register, selectmen, citizens, American Woolen Co. Great Northern Paper Co. - From employees History of Houlton High School, 1899-1920 - "North Star"; the school paper; pictures and information from alumni, teachers. The Playground - From State Department of Education. Sports in Maine - Pictures and information from proprietors of sporting camps. This list shows that data was gathered from ex-town officers, present officers, pastors, school superintendents, oldest living citi-zens in the towns; from county, town, school and church records; from old diaries, newspapers, school catalogs, scrap-books, from the public libraries. When the students had selected what they considered important and authentic material they proceeded to preserve it in books of their own making, which exhibit originality and artistic ability in arrangement and decoration. Those who chose to write the history of the school finished the binding in school colors, and in one instance the school seal fur-nished the decoration for the cover. From their research these students discovered the truth of the old adage, "where there is a will there is a way," and pursued in the face of discouragement many voyages to obscure sources to be happily rewarded with the information they were seeking. Present day affairs were not forgotten and in some instances old and new methods are contrasted. Nearly all of the books are illustrated with Kodak pictures snapped by the girls themselves or solicited from their friends, and there are many beautiful Aroostook scenes as well as pictures of homes, schools, churches, barns, potato-houses and farm machinery. Aside from the knowledge gleaned in local history, they have had practice in writing business letters to persons in responsible positions. I feel sure in every case they have courteously expressed their appreciation for the material and information given them. Several dedicated their booklet to the man or woman who gave them assistance. They have learned something about the make-up of a book; its title page, table of contents, index, arrangement of illustrations and binding, and are convinced that art plays an important part in book- making. More valuable than all this is the fact that these student-teachers are going out in all sections of the State to quicken an interest in history for Maine children. They have learned and will pass it on that our State has a local history worthy of study and that she will continue to play in the future as she has in the past, an im-portant part in the Nation's development. We hope the interest aroused will continue to grow, and develop such a strong love for Maine that the priceless traditions of strength, manliness, patience, uprightness and confidence in God possessed by her pioneers shall continue to be exhibited in her prosperity in order that she may be an "enlightened, cultivated, God-fearing, free democracy." NELLIE WOODBURY JORDAN.