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A Salute and Expression of Deep Respect on Indiginous People's Day

Posted by Admin, October 11, 2021

As a salute and expression of deep respect to the Native Americans who once populated our Saco River Valley on this Indigenous People’s Day, October 11 I submit the following narrative and pictures for our readers and members of the Biddeford Historical Society to dwell upon.

When the Europeans arrived in the present Saco Bay they took great wonder upon the native people they encountered. Small villages with longhouses and wigwams were in evidence throughout the Saco River Valley.

For thousands of years these people had lived in harmony with a dependence on what the natural environment was willing to provide them with. Engaged in both hunter food gathering and intense farming our Native American ancestors had fallen upon this region...

The Power of Story: The Fires of 1947

Courtesy of Guy Gannett Publisher, 1947

Posted by Admin, October 28, 2017

The historic Biddeford meetinghouse’s pews were filled to near capacity last night as we all took a trip back in time to the Fires of 1947 and discovered the profound effect the fires had on people’s lives.

Jo Radner, a professional storyteller, brought us back to Brownfield, Maine and the events leading up to the Fires of 1947. The stories were of real people who were struggling to save their things and each other in the face of a fire that took down 80% of the town in its wake. People scrambled...

Local Business Helps to Restore Biddeford Meetinghouse

Posted by Admin, October 17, 2017

A big thanks to Zuke Roofing for their help in restoring the roof of our beautiful meetinghouse. With their generous rates, we were able to put on a new roof and avert serious damage to this magnificent 258-year old structure. Our 1759 meetinghouse is the earliest meetinghouse in Maine and the oldest public building in Biddeford and Saco.

She has been with us before we were a country — when we were just a little town in the wilderness.

She stood proud when all of our forefathers and foremothers gathered to read the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776...

The Dawn of the Biddeford and York Court System

Posted by Admin, October 10, 2017

Biddeford was a tiny town back in the 1700s and on the edge of the wilderness. How did our forefathers and foremothers settle disputes? Were disputes adjudicated in courts or were our early taverns the site of adjudications? Who were the judges? Where were these legal happenings held? What did the judges wear? How were the judges elected? Were women allowed in the court proceedings?

Discovering Clifford Park

Posted by Admin, August 24, 2017

Quarry Road at Clifford Park

A few people can make a difference. On September 8 at 7 pm at the Biddeford Meetinghouse, we met to find out more about those generous and forward-thinking individuals who gave many acres of land to the City of Biddeford, which is known as Clifford Park. Who were they? Where did they live? Why did they decide to donate this amazing parcel of land replete with brooks, pristine forests and the remnants of an amazing quarry?

Clipper Ships on the Saco: The History of Boat Building in Biddeford

Posted by Admin, August 12, 2017

History lovers came out tonight for our rst Fireside Chat.

Dana Peck, a Biddeford native and entrepreneur, led us on an amazing journey back in time. It was the 1920s. The Depression had set in and there was a need for work and industry. Our local men who lived on Guinea Road and the Old Pool Road (now the Meetinghouse) were skilled carpenters, but work was hard to find. Through ingenuity and collaboration, a boat yard was born. This boat yard was located at the end of Marblehead Lane and was called the Marblehead Boat Yard.

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of President Monroe Coming to Biddeford

Posted by Admin, July 16, 2017

Yesterday, we brought a piece of Biddeford History back to life. The Biddeford Historical Society and guests explored the period leading up to President James Monroe’s visit to Biddeford in July of 1817. The War of 1812 was a war that many of our citizens did not want. Emperor Napoleon was wreaking havoc in Europe. The British fleets were impressing our men.

For the first time in over 200 years, we heard again the words of our Biddeford citizens who vehemently opposed the War of 1812.

President Monroe Was Here

Posted by Admin, July 3, 2017

The year was 1817. Biddeford had weathered a erce battle against the British resulting in the complete destruction of Thomas Cutts’ marine store in Biddeford Pool. One of his sloops, the Equator, was damaged beyond repair, and the other, the Equinox, was taken for ransom.

The War of 1812 was a war that very few in Biddeford wanted. Many of our citizens were so fired up that they drafted a petition voicing their disapproval and sent this petition to Congress. Many citizens felt that their Massachusetts government didn’t care that the British were wreaking havoc on our town and our industry.

The People's Historian

Posted by Admin, June 23, 2017

Let us honor the man who blazed a path for us in bringing Biddeford history to life — Raymond Gaudette. Last night, people from many di erent organizations and his family and friends gathered in Clifford Park to remember and treasure the great gifts that Raymond Gaudette brought to our community.

Raymond saw what many people in his time could only dimly see — the power and majesty of 400 years of magnificent history. He was passionate about unearthing, saving, and preserving it.

Biddeford History is Your History

Posted by Admin, June 3, 2017

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time. It illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.

As a historical society, we want to bring Biddeford history to life. We want it to illuminate the streets you walk on, the parks you visit and the buildings you see. When you travel down Bridge Street towards Biddeford Pool, we want you to see the house that once was a 1700s Indian trading post (it’s still standing) and know the spot where Richard Vines landed in 1616.

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