Shifting leadership roles and a wave of volunteer energy are driving major changes at the Harpswell Historical Society.
The organization’s longtime leader, David Hackett, has stepped into a new role as its historian after guiding the society as president for 31 of its 46 years. He has been involved with preserving Harpswell history since 1979.
“He has put his heart into the organization,” board member Wendy Van Damme said in an interview. “Seeing him in action as a storyteller when people come into the museum is part of what makes this such a special organization.”
Hackett’s new title reflects what many already saw as his central role, said the group’s archivist and registrar, Lin Maria Riotto. He is now formally responsible for helping interpret and document the town’s past through the society’s vast collection.
“David began seriously collecting for the museum about 25 years ago,” Riotto wrote in the society’s recently revived newsletter. “The resulting collection presents a stunning and detailed picture of the dailiness of life in a rural Maine community in all its surprising complexity.”
The group’s new president, Chuck Alexander, said the transition comes as the society looks both backward and forward.
The Historical Society maintains six buildings and the fishermen’s memorial at Land’s End on Bailey Island. Its museum in Harpswell Center serves as the heart of its operations.
The museum building recently underwent extensive exterior repairs and painting, Alexander said. A donor, Harpswell Neck philanthropist Helen Norton, funded the work.
Inside, volunteers are tackling long-delayed projects, he said. Rooms are being cleaned and reorganized, and repairs are being done.
The society is expanding its operations in other ways, Alexander said. Wi-Fi has been installed at the museum to support research and cataloging, and a workroom is being updated with new equipment and workstations.
“A revamped website and social media presence will be happening as well as presentations at different times throughout the year,” Alexander wrote in the newsletter. “And in the spirit of dreaming big, there is more both in the short and long term, so stay tuned!”
Alexander said Hackett is leading an ambitious effort to identify and catalog every item in the society’s collection. He is working closely with Riotto on the project.
Together, they are handling thousands of artifacts, documents and images. Their goal is to create a searchable online database that the public can access.
The collection includes photographs, textiles, tools, artwork, machinery and memorabilia. New exhibitions are being planned for the summer.
Hackett’s deep roots in Harpswell have shaped the collection. He is a descendant of several long-established local families. His ancestors include the Rev. Elijah Kellogg, a minister and author of children’s books for whom Harpswell’s Congregational Church is named.
Over the years, he has helped bring numerous family heirlooms and maritime artifacts into the museum. Many once sat in barns, attics and parlors around town.
Hackett has also tracked down items at estate sales and private homes. He is known for remembering where historically significant objects are located and encouraging donations.
Some artifacts came with unusual challenges, according to Riotto. One example is an osprey that was preserved and mounted after an accidental death.
Hackett spent more than a year securing state and federal permits before the bird could be prepared for display, she said. He later built a custom case to house it at the museum.
“As passionate as he is about collecting artifacts, Dave is equally committed to educating young people about them and about the vanishing skills of the past,” Riotto said. “He has worked with organizations like the (Harpswell) Coastal Academy in the past, and is planning other youth outreach programs for next season.”
Alexander said the group has a full board of directors and a growing volunteer base. Public programs and presentations are planned throughout the year.
All of the improvements require funding. While exterior repairs were covered by a major donation, the society is seeking additional support for interior upgrades.
A fundraising mailer is expected to go out soon. Donations are tax-deductible, as the society is a nonprofit organization. Those interested in donating or volunteering can visit the society’s website at harpswellhistorical.org.
