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AUBURN — The Androscoggin Historical Society has been awarded it a $6,000 grant from the Davis Foundation to improve storage conditions for its many artifacts and archives.
The foundation is a public charitable foundation established by Phyllis C. Davis and H. Halsey Davis of Falmouth that supports educational, medical and cultural/arts organizations in Maine. The goal is “to make grants where they will do the most good and where our gifts make a real difference.”
Since 1923, the historical society has accumulated books, research materials and artifacts on the history of Androscoggin County and the state of Maine. Since 1935, it has occupied the third floor of the County Building, with the Davis-Wagg Museum, the Clarence March Library, the “small museum” and associated hallways and closets.
For at least 20 years, it has been evident that the collection was outgrowing the available space. As a result, roughly half of the “small museum” has evolved into storage for items that are not being displayed and little-used reference material.
Because the pandemic had effectively shut down the monthly programs customarily held by the society, the decision was made to undertake a thorough reorganization and to dedicate the Davis-Wagg Museum exclusively to displaying artifacts. The podium and seating area previously used for presentations were eliminated to make room for displays from the “small museum,” which will be converted to organized storage. Once programming resumes this autumn, the Society will be using other facilities in the county, perhaps on a rotating basis to allow greater access.
The society has committed to contributing $4,000 in volunteer labor to complete the project, which is expected to last through 2021.
