Do you or someone you know have a great old piece of local history stashed away in the barn or basement?

If so, members of the Raymond-Casco Historical Society would like to talk with you about donating and preserving pieces of our collective past. Their goal is to gather a wide variety of items of local historic interest to fill the new museum on Route 302.

The museum grand opening is Sunday, July 27, with a dedication ceremony starting at 10 a.m. The newly built museum was donated by Henry and Zeena Watkins, and is located next to Watkins Farm on Route 302 in South Casco.

“Most people will recognize the building as the one with the beautiful mural painted on the side,” said historical society secretary Pam Grant of South Casco. “We’re interested in anything that has a connection to Raymond or Casco,” she said.

Museum members are especially interested in written word items such as genealogies, newspapers and records related to the two towns, the schools, churches and businesses. “These kinds of materials are very important for our research department,” said historical society president Wayne Holmquist.

The documents, he said, will be used to help identify and date other items, and help record an accurate history of the two towns.

Photographs and paintings of the local landscape are needed, as are vintage and antique home furnishings and even clothing. “We’d like to put together an entire room setting to show people what family life looked like in Raymond or Casco in the early to mid 1800’s,” said historical society member Ann Miller of Casco.

The historical society is also interested in developing museum displays to feature local turn-of-the-century hunting, fishing and camp life.

“Don’t hesitate to call us just because your treasures aren’t antiques,” said historical society member Pam Grant about donations. “We need recent history items, too, and would like any photographs or memorabilia from the former Casco High School. The last class graduated from CHS on June 11, 1969.”

In addition to the ceremony are two other events leading up to the big day. A reception for members and friends will be held Saturday, July 19, 2-4 p.m. An appraisal night led by Harry Hepburn from Heritage Antiques in Harrison occurs Wednesday, July 23, 6- 8 p.m.

Hepburn will appraise antique items and estimate their worth. He will document the value in writing for have for insurance purposes as well. A suggested donation of $5 for each item appraised will go into the Raymond-Casco Historical Society endowment fund.

For information about donations, membership, volunteer opportunities and more, call historical society vice president Elizabeth Bullen at 998-3123, Betty McDermott at 655-4646; write to them at Raymond-Casco Historical Society, P.O. Box 1055, Raymond, ME 04071; or visit www.raymondcascohistorical.org.