BRUNSWICK

Curtis Friends to open used bookstore in July

The Knox Farmhouse, above, built in the 1790s, houses the Thomaston Historical Society’s museum. The society recently received two grants to better care for its collections.

Rod Grindell, left, a society board member, and Susan Devlin, curator and vice president, confer with building inspector John Leeke, center, on the condition of the Thomaston farmhouse. Courtesy photos

Curtis Friends, the volunteer organization that supports Curtis Memorial Library, has announced plans to open a used bookstore at 11 Pleasant St.

Twice-Told Tales, the bookstore name, was chosen by popular ballot, cast by more than 400 library patrons over a recent two-week period.

According to Judith Redwine, president of Curtis Friends, “The bookstore will have retail hours six days a week. Trading on the unmatched success of our annual three-day book sale, we just thought it was time to make the generosity of our book donors available to the community year-round.”

The bookstore is expected to open to the public on July 6.

For more details, call Scott Johnson at 721-0593.

THOMASTON

Historical society receives grants for museum, holdings

The Thomaston Historical Society received two major grants to address needed upgrades to its museum, housed in the mid-1790s Knox Farmhouse.

A Conservation Assessment Program Grant, awarded by the Institute of Museums and Library Services and Heritage Preservation, funded needed assessments that address the building’s condition, as well as the condition and future management of its collection.

According to Susan Devlin, the museum’s curator and vice president, “addressing UV exposure problems is underway and we have already corrected a few of the problems in repackaging, storing and displaying our holdings. We are adding meters to better monitor the archival climate conditions. More will be done as we work to bring the ultimate climate conditions to our archival room and display areas.”

A second grant, from the Maine Community Foundation, allowed museum staff to replace outdated computer software with enhanced programs to more effectively digitize its entire collection.

A recent initiative to catalog the collection using Past Perfect museum software for easier access in addressing research requests and planning new exhibits also was implemented.

KENNEBUNK

Fairy houses, gnome homes can be dropped off at library

The Kennebunk Free Library is accepting fairy houses and gnome homes, starting Tuesday at 112 Main St., to be included in its annual Faerie Festival to be held 9:30-11 a.m. May 2.

Children can bring their creations in for judging by April 29.

Houses should be on a base no larger than 14 inches by 14 inches, or 30 inches high. They must be constructed of all natural materials.

Although glue is allowed, string, thread or raffia is recommended to connect pieces, or make paste using flour and water.

Building materials are available in the Children’s Room.

Members of the Seacoast Garden Club will offer pine cones, bark and sea shells for children to use in construction of fairy homes.

The fairy houses will be on display until May 16. For more information, call 985-2173 or go to www.kennebunklibrary.org.

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