With the completion of the restoration of the Fire Station, the Presque Isle Historical Society will have a local cultural center promoting all of Aroostook County providing hands-on learning opportunities, volunteer opportunities, rotating art exhibits and historic displays, and a permanent home for our large, treasured collection of photographs, documents, books, and more.

The society has to turn down many items due to space issues. It is because of this reality that the Historical Society has to find a larger site to put these new items. We have been presented with a double opportunity to both create a suitable "Museum" for Presque Isle and at the same time save our historic fire station. This structure erected in 1912, was originally built to house the departments horses and apparatus. The beautiful arched wood doors and wooden floors saw many changes to the building which have included the offices of city government and finally the police department. Today we have the opportunity to work with the city to transfer "in some manner" the building to the society for restoration, with hope of creating a general museum for the City and the surrounding area to enjoy.
We have confidence that this project would bring a needed historical center to the city and increase interest in the downtown area for tourism and cultural events.

Check the Fire Station Progress Page to view progress updates

The current holdings of the Society include the Vera Estey House, which preserves an entire home and its contents from the early to mid 1900's. Vera Estey willed the home to the Society with an endowment fund to help with upkeep and ongoing preservation projects at the site. Many preservation projects have been completed due to the hard work of past members, and currently the members are restoring the grounds, including a period perennial garden. This was a most generous gift from Ms. Estey, but the terms of the agreement do not allow for any non-original modifications to the building or land. This does not allow for future expansion or additions to the collections in the home.

Collection boxes for used cell phones may be found in the lobby of City Hall, the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, and Parsons Street Redemption Center. The funds raised from us recycling the used cell phones will be used to fund our new scholarship program.

The scholarship will be available for the first time in the Spring of 2008 to a graduating senior from Presque Isle High School who had demonstrated leadership traits, and has been active in the community. Applicants will complete an application, provide 3 references, and write an essay of 500 words or less stating why local history is important to them. Although not a requirement for the scholarship, weight will be given to applicants attending UMPI, or majoring in history, or who are junior members of the Historical Society.

As a service to the community the Society has actively promoted the Historical Walking Tours of the City, an event that is offered to the public during summer events and to the schools as an outing.

Tours may be arranged during good weather by calling us at 762-1151 or by emailing us at pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com . The tour covers two miles and lasts approximately one and a half hours. There is no charge for the tours

The Society's collection also includes a 1929 Chevrolet fire truck that was used in the Presque Isle area for many years and was restored by William "Billy" Wight. The uniqueness of this truck is that it can be fitted with a track and skis for use in winter. A wonderful 1800's enclosed horse drawn carriage and one of the original telephone switch boards used by operators here in Presque Isle are two other special items. Many other artifacts have been donated as well, but storage has become a major issue.

Presque Isle has been selected as one of eight Maine communities to participate in the Maine Community Heritage Project. Our community will participate in an intensive one-year program that will mobilize the Presque Isle Historical Society , the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, and SAD #1 , around the gathering and sharing of our local history.

Other communities selected are Bath, Farmington, Hampdon, Islesboro, Lubec, New Portland, and Thomaston.

There were 50 applicants for this program. The selection of Presque Isle and the seven other communities was based on enthusiasm, commitment to local partnership, and ability to complete the project.