AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Historical Society is now open for in-person research by appointment. In order to comply with state government regulations, KHS asks that researchers and volunteer staff wear their own masks, use hand sanitizer as they enter the building and practice six-foot social distancing. The society encourages researchers to contact the KHS for an appointment by calling 207- 622-7718 or emailing their request for an appointment to kennhis1891@gmail.com.
The society will also answer research requests by email, phone, and U.S. Postal mail, as well as inquiries received through its social media accounts, Facebook and Instagram.
KHS President Patsy Crockett said, “The well-being of society members, guests and the community is important to all of us and therefore we have implemented new KHS health and safety protocols. We are determined to deliver a fun environment with the same level of friendly service you’ve come to expect from us.”
The society’s free monthly historical programs and lectures hosted at a variety of venues in Augusta and nearby communities remain postponed until further notice. The programs were generally held on the third Wednesday of the month and would frequently draw more than 100. Programs have been postponed since March and many of them were in celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial and have been rescheduled to future dates. KHS hopes to resume programming by September, when it also holds its annual meeting. A list of upcoming programs can be found on the society’s website, www.kennebechistorical.org.
KHS is primarily a volunteer-run organization, with only one full time employee. Its clientele includes the residents and former residents of Kennebec County’s 30 municipalities who are interested in local or Maine history, people researching the history of their homes or families, and students doing research for high school or college assignments. Additionally, the society answers many requests for genealogical and historical information from all over the United States. KHS collects documents, photographs, manuscripts, books, ephemera, maps, and scrapbooks related to all Kennebec County communities and their history in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled archive, which is recognized by the state of Maine as an alternative government archive repository.
