The Westbrook Historical Society was the setting for our meeting of August 9. Thanks to Mike Sanphy, new Rotarian and President of the Westbrook Historical Society, Tom Clarke - Treasurer, and Diane Dyer - Director, for hosting our meeting. The Historical Society is strong thanks to members and volunteers like Mike, Tom, Diane, and Martha Brackett - Secretary.
L-R: Mike Sanphy, Tom Clarke, Martha Brackett
Absent: Diane Dyer
The Westbrook Historical Society was founded in 1975 at a time when many communities across the United States were considering how to best preserve their own history as we approached our country’s bicentennial. The Society was originally housed at the old High School (now elderly housing), and later on the second floor at the Dunn St Legion Hall. They now occupy ground floor space at the Westbrook Community Center, making them handicap accessible.
In recognition of our 90 years, Westbrook-Gorham Rotary has donated several items to our growing collection at the Historical Society. Thanks to President Jason Beever who has donated many items from his late mother Jane Beever’s collection. These include a box of items from the time of Ken Brook’s time as District Governor, programs, club directories, song books, and Jane’s PHF certificate and medallion.
L-R: Jason Beever and Mike Sanphy
The Westbrook Historical Society has a large collection of our newsletters from across the years, but there are large gaps in the record. If you have any Reveille’s or Scribblers in your collection, please consider donating them to the Historical Society. Also, if you know any former Rotarians or family members who may have material in their family, please let them know of our efforts to acquire Westbrook-Gorham Rotary related material of all kinds for preservation.
Some of the Rotary collection at the Society
Finally, we now have a small collection of Rotary pins, patches, and insignia. We are interested in collecting more to create a nice display we can donate and present to the Historical Society. If you have any theme pins, district pins, interact pins, programs pins (like polio plus, rotaplast, RAG, Gift of Life, etc), or other insignia that you no longer wear, please bring them to a meeting.
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