Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inKeeping his eyes on history
Page 1 of 1•
Keeping his eyes on history
by Outspoken on Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:16 am
Keeping his eyes on history
BY MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
RANDOLPH -- Dick Harriman started collecting information about the town's history 10 years ago.
Harriman's small collection of old photographs and documents grew and grew, until finally a selectman recommended that Harriman take over the role of town historian.
Harriman said the town hasn't had a keeper of local history since the 1980s. Ruth York was the last historian, but she has since passed away.
"I've always been quite interested in the history of the town and collected things off and on for 10 years or so, a little here and a little there," Harriman said. "But it's more than a little now."
A native of Randolph, Harriman, 74, was born in the last house along the river on the north end of town across from Belmont Avenue.
After graduating in 1952 from Gardiner High School, he worked for Central Maine Power Co. then moved to Florida and got a job with the Florida Power Co. He worked for that company for 25 years.
But he never lost touch with his hometown and would vacation here in the summer with his wife, Judy. When it came time for retirement, he bought a home in Randolph on Kinderhook Street.
As the new town historian, Harriman said he is busy gathering artifacts and memorabilia, town and school records, historical photographs and old documents and postcards. He would like to hear from anyone who might have material to share. He can be reached at 582-4359.
At least once a week he can be found at the Maine State Library.
"I'm trying to get it all organized," he said. "This fellow bought me some stuff last night and I've got someone coming tomorrow with some old pictures."
He said Randolph used to have close to 50 businesses in town including neighborhood grocery stores, tiny pubs where you could go in and have a beer, garages and barber shops.
Before 1887, Harriman said Randolph was part of Pittston. A fire in 1886 reduced the business district to cinders, he said. Gardiner had a water district at that time and offered to install a pipe across the river with hydrants if the town would pay for it.
When that came to the people for a vote it was defeated.
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5307877.html
Staff Photo by Joe Phelan
BY MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
RANDOLPH -- Dick Harriman started collecting information about the town's history 10 years ago.
Harriman's small collection of old photographs and documents grew and grew, until finally a selectman recommended that Harriman take over the role of town historian.
Harriman said the town hasn't had a keeper of local history since the 1980s. Ruth York was the last historian, but she has since passed away.
"I've always been quite interested in the history of the town and collected things off and on for 10 years or so, a little here and a little there," Harriman said. "But it's more than a little now."
A native of Randolph, Harriman, 74, was born in the last house along the river on the north end of town across from Belmont Avenue.
After graduating in 1952 from Gardiner High School, he worked for Central Maine Power Co. then moved to Florida and got a job with the Florida Power Co. He worked for that company for 25 years.
But he never lost touch with his hometown and would vacation here in the summer with his wife, Judy. When it came time for retirement, he bought a home in Randolph on Kinderhook Street.
As the new town historian, Harriman said he is busy gathering artifacts and memorabilia, town and school records, historical photographs and old documents and postcards. He would like to hear from anyone who might have material to share. He can be reached at 582-4359.
At least once a week he can be found at the Maine State Library.
"I'm trying to get it all organized," he said. "This fellow bought me some stuff last night and I've got someone coming tomorrow with some old pictures."
He said Randolph used to have close to 50 businesses in town including neighborhood grocery stores, tiny pubs where you could go in and have a beer, garages and barber shops.
Before 1887, Harriman said Randolph was part of Pittston. A fire in 1886 reduced the business district to cinders, he said. Gardiner had a water district at that time and offered to install a pipe across the river with hydrants if the town would pay for it.
When that came to the people for a vote it was defeated.
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5307877.html
Staff Photo by Joe Phelan
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
