April 9th, 2020

An excerpt from the 1918 annual meeting minutes of what is now the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine referencing the quarantine in place due to the 1918-19 influenza epidemic. The record book is part of the UUCC Archives in the Castine Historical Society collection.
Castine, Maine: Are you living in Castine as either a full-time or summer resident? Will you help build an archive of local history during this world-wide pandemic?  The Castine Historical Society is creating the Castine COVID-19 Collection to document the novel coronavirus in Castine and to make this a community-wide project. The Historical Society encourages everyone to take time to record the impact of COVID-19 on their life and on the community.  In the midst of isolation, illness, grief, anger, and economic stress, it is hoped that this project could serve as a means of expression and documentation.

To participate, the Historical Society is seeking donations in a variety of forms including diaries, songs, photography, poetry, artwork, emails, letters, or even stream-of-consciousness writing on Facebook. As well, the project seeks information about closings, cancellations, town business, and related material from organizations in town.

The Historical Society’s goal is to collect and archive the community’s observations, activities, and thoughts. Future generations will benefit from the residents’ collective experiences and wisdom.  Donations will be catalogued and archived. If requested, a 15-year restriction on the use of the donated material can be imposed and/or names can be redacted to maintain privacy.

To make a donation or to ask further questions, please contact Curator Paige Lilly at curator@castinehistoricalsociety.org or leave her a message at (207) 326-4118 ext. 11. For further information, please visit castinehistoricalsociety.org.

The Castine Historical Society opens a window into Castine’s extraordinary past through preserving local history and hosting changing exhibitions, lectures, town walking tours, house and garden tours, and historic reenactments. Exhibits are in the Abbott School gallery at 17 School Street and the Grindle House research center, offices and collection storage are at 13 School Street, Castine. As mandated by Maine’s Governor Janet Mills, our offices are closed with staff working remotely. We will continue to follow the guidelines of our state concerning our scheduled opening day for 2020.  For more information visit castinehistoricalsociety.org.