Dawn Thistle

Following Clues to Restore an Historic Cemetery (more clues still needed!)

by

Have you recently noticed a “new” cemetery emerging on Dresden Avenue across from the Common? What you are actually witnessing is the re-emergence of the oldest identifiable burial ground in Gardiner.  With stones dating back to 1791, the “Old Churchyard” actually takes us back to the days when Gardinerston was known as Pittston, Robert Hallowell Gardiner was just a boy, and Revolutionary War General Henry Dearborn lived where the library now stands. The churchyard was originally consecrated for those who worshiped at St. Ann’s, an Episcopal church established at the behest of Sylvester Gardiner and the first church built in …

Read more

Mystery in the Archives!

by

My name is Brian Files and I’m grateful to be asked to be a guest blogger on the Gardiner Public Library’s website.   Last weekend, the 23rd of April, I got the chance to perform a mystery show at the Library. I’ve performed all over this state in Mysteries and Improv shows. Some in small venues to small crowds, others were large venues with over 200 plus people in attendance. But this show was something special. Not only was it at a location that I cherish in my hometown, but I also wrote the script and produced the show. And …

Read more

What’s Going On?!?!?!

by

  Over the next couple of weeks, we have several irons in the fire. National Library Week is celebrated from April 10 – 16 this year.  We have a display of “library” related books for your perusal. The ALA (American Library Association) theme for the week is “Libraries Transform Lives”.  As part of the promotional campaign, we have blank “speech bubbles” available for folks to let us know how a library may have transformed your life!  Next time you’re in the library, pick up one at the desk, and we’ll add it to our on-going display! School Vacation week is …

Read more

A Glimpse Into the Past

by

Recently I had the opportunity to go play in the archives here at Gardiner Public Library.  And what a fabulous experience it was! One day while I was working in the library, I delivered some books to Dawn, our wonderful Archives Librarian. I happened to mention a well-known house in East Pittston that used to be in our family.  It’s on the Historical Register, and I had some questions about it. We got to talking, and Dawn suggested I come spend some time in the archives on my day off.  I set up a day and time with Dawn, who …

Read more

From the Archives

by

For a change, I thought I would showcase some postcards that are in the Archives Room.      These postcards, from around 1906, show some of the ships that went up and down the Kennebec River with supplies and people.     If you have old postcards of the Gardiner area that you are willing to donate, the Gardiner Public Library would love to have them.  These postcards are just one of the things that the Archives Room at the library has to show our customers.             Archive Hours –  Tuesday – 10:30 – 7:30 Wednesday – …

Read more