Dan Cummings - The Running Realtor: Leeds Maine Historical Society

For 10 years we've been spending time on Androscoggin Lake in Leeds enjoying the relaxing days of summertime, water skiing, fishing or just lounging in the sun.  This year I decided to haul the boat home early and spend some time on Long Island Sound so when we were in Maine for Labor Day weekend I stumbled into a day of historical activities.

The day started early with my cousin showing up at 7:00 am for a five miler.  He was a runner years ago before medical issues caused him to stop but was trying out one of those hand peddled cycles for the weekend so I ran as he worked his arms.  After the run/ride we decided to take a short hike up Monument Hill.  When we returned there was a historian sitting at the start of the trail with a display of information. The Monument was one of the attractions of Historic Leeds Day.

The town historian was able to provide an accurate accounting of the monument and put an end to all the false rumors as to the history of the hill. After an interesting discussion we stopped by the old town office to pick up an itinerary for the day's activities.

There were about 12 sites open ranging from old Churches to private homes.  One of the homes we visited was The Lynn Farmhouse.  The Lynn's purchased the run-down farm in 1959 as a summer home and kept a few rooms in original condition.  The house was built around 1810 and for many years was the home of the Albert Bryant, a mail carrier nearly 100 years ago.  In 1910 he commissioned Charles Phillips to paint several scenes directly on the living room walls to save the cost of canvas.

The room even contained an old crank telephone from the days of the party line.  I remember as a kid visiting relatives in Maine when the party line was still in use within the rural towns.  This was back in the '60s so they all used fancy new Rotary Dial Phones on the Party Line.

Also of interest was the boat ride to The Indian Carry where the first town settler, Thomas Stinchfield met about 500 Indians when he came to the area in 1777 or 1778.