Our Story
A Vision Born in 1922
The Androscoggin Historical Society traces its roots to a June afternoon in 1922 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bryant. During a gathering of the Mary Dillingham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the daughters of the late Senator William P. Frye proposed a permanent society and museum to safeguard the county’s history. On November 20, 1923, the chapter officially voted to incorporate the Androscoggin Historical and Antiquarian Society.
The Bryant House
Growth and Evolution
Our early years were characterized by rapid growth and a spirit of adventure. In the 1920s, members participated in “pilgrimages” by driving to local historic sites to share “lore concerning the places in sight.” As our collections of archives, records, and relics expanded, we moved from a small room in the Auburn city building to a long term home on the third floor of the Androscoggin County Courthouse.
In 1951, we simplified our name to the Androscoggin Historical Society, and in 1979, we transitioned to an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit. The change allowed us to participate in state and federal grants, ensuring the professional preservation of our thousands of historical documents, photographs and primary sources.
Preserving Our Landmarks
Our work extends beyond our archives to the physical landmarks of our community. Over the years, the Society became the proud steward of:
- The Knight House (1796): The oldest structure in downtown Auburn.
- The Downing Shoe Shop: A window into our region’s industrial heritage
- The West Auburn School: Auburn’s last one-room schoolhouse, saved from demolition in the 1990s and now a living history center.
The Downing Shoe Shop was destroyed by arson and AHS is looking into having a replica made to replace it at West Pitch Park in Auburn.
A Permanent Home At Last
For decades, we relied on the generosity of benfactors like Everett and Thirza Davis and Olive A. Morrill. While we did not occupy the homes they deeded us, the wise investment of their legacy gifts provided the foundation for our future.
In 2022, we reached a historic milestone by purchasing the former Coyne-Murphy Law Offices at 93 Lisbon Street, a building constructed in 1886 for Atwood’s Market that has also housed an oyster dealer, a glove seller, a watch store, a beauty salon, an antiques peddler and more. Moving into the heart of Lewiston’s historic district has allowed us to become a visible, active participant in our community – from ArtWalk celebrations to educational lectures. Today, we are proud to serve the 14 communities of Androscoggin County, focusing our efforts on Lewiston and Auburn to foster a deeper sense of belonging for every generation.
We proudly serve the 14 communities that make up Androscoggin County; Auburn, Durham, Greene, Leeds, Lewiston, Lisbon, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland, Sabattus, Turner, Wales
Our Mission:
The Androscoggin Historical Society seeks to collect and preserve our county’s shared heritage, primarily Lewiston and Auburn, to foster a depper sense of belonging for every generation.