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PHOTO: The Leeds Historical Society leads a history walk in September. Similar walks are planned for April and May. (Leeds Historical Society Facebook photo)
LEEDS — The Leeds Historical Society has scheduled some spring walks around historic locations throughout town in April and May.
Bring a mask, and keep in mind ticks may be out, so protection is advised. Rain dates and time for all of the walks are at 1 p.m. on Sunday, the day after the scheduled walk.
Saturday, April 10, 1 p.m., Union Cemetery and the Brick Schoolhouse — Union Cemetery, also known as Wade Corner Cemetery, has a number of notable burials from early doctors, Thomas Francis Turner, to early state legislator, Thomas H. Boothby, and Civil War veterans, such as Col. John Gilmore. Across the road is the former Brick Schoolhouse. Built during the War of 1812 as a powderhouse, it was then used as a schoolhouse until Leeds Central School was built, at which time it became a residence. Both are at the corner of Bernie Hartford and Jennings roads. There should be plenty of area for parking on the less-used Jennings road.
Saturday, April 24, 1 p.m. Bishop Hill homestead and cemetery – Zadock and Elizabeth Bishop left Monmouth in 1783 after being flooded out and built on one of the highest elevations in Leeds. The talk will trace their family story through time to the present occupants, the Murphys. The walk will be about a mile south down the road to Bishop Hill cemetery, where among the five confirmed burials are two Revolutionary War veterans.
Meet at the old Bishop farm which is 1.5 miles from Curtis Corner going north on Bishop Hill or two miles south from Leeds Center on Bishop Hill road. When you reach a lovely brick farm house and see a spectacular view, you’ve arrived. There is plenty of parking in the dooryard or along the road.
Saturday, May 1, 1 p.m. Androscoggin Riverlands State Park — Explore a portion of the Leeds section (330 acres) of the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park with access allowed by a private land owner. This area was affected by the Gulf Island Dam and still has foundations to a number of homes and the remnants of old River Road. Discussion will include one of the better-known people whose family settled here – Julia Griswold Berry, the hermit of Griswold Island.
Meet on Church Hill Road – from Leeds Center it’s about three miles on the road and from Turner bridge it’s about two miles up the the road. It’s along the lowest point of the road. Parking is in a small turnout or along the road.
