Welcome to the Web Pages of the Harpswell, Maine Historical Society.
We hope you find these pages helpful and informative in your search for information in the Casco Bay area. At this time we do not have regular hours established for research of either Harpswell history or genealogy. An appointment may be made through David Hackett 833dash6322 for weekend use of the facilities during the summer months.
If you would like to receive notices and information about our activities, including the newsletter, send a message to
harpswellhs@outlook.com.
The Harpswell Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, identification, collection, preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of materials relating to the history of Harpswell and its people.
The public is welcome at ALL Events.
2016-2023 Historical Society Events
- 2023 Harpswell Days, Saturday, October 14 For more information
- 2023 Summer Harpswell Historical Society Museum hours: Sundays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm from Memorial Day to Columbus Day
- 2021 Town Office Cemetery Tour: Dave Hackett will lead a tour of this cemetery at 1:00 pm on the first Sunday of August
- July 4th 2023: 11:00am; Reading of the Declaration of Independence Town House
- October 23, 2019 at 7:00PM at the Old Town Meeting House: Annual Meeting with David Hackett
- October 2019 There will be no celebration of Halloween with us at the old Harpswell Town House and Cemetery on Harpswell Neck Road.
- Dec. 7, 2019; 5:30pm; Christmas tree lighting at Centennial Hall: merriment, fellowship and refreshment
- There will be no Vesper Service at the East Harpswell Church this year.
New on our site
Grange Bicentennial Project Voices of Harpswell
Harpswell Day 2017 Gallery
Summer 2016 Newsletter
Winter 2015 Newsletter
Make a donation to the Harpswell Historical Society, using PayPal or your credit card.
The story of Harpswell's Old Meeting House
1757 1759
A National Historic Monument
In 1738 the Town of Yarmouth consisted of all the territory between Falmouth and Cape Small Point including the 99 islands in Casco Bay. By water Cape Small Point was 16 miles from the meeting house at North Yarmouth, and Harpswell 12. It is not difficult to imagine the hardships of rising long before dawn on cold Sundays, feeding the family, dressing small children and rowing or sailing through rough waters to attend church where services were held for long hours in a poorly heated building.
Centennial Hall is available for special events, such as weddings. For more information, contact Dave Hackett 207-833dash6322