Mission & Vision:
The Scarborough Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the rich heritage of Scarborough, Maine. Through the collection and care of artifacts, documents, and photographs, we provide opportunities for education, research, and community engagement. We support local history exploration through dynamic exhibits, genealogy resources, public programs, and outreach—bringing Scarborough’s past to life for current and future generations.
We envision a community that values its history as a foundation for understanding the present and shaping the future. As stewards of Scarborough’s collective memory, we aim to expand access to historical resources, foster intergenerational learning, and preserve treasured landmarks—including the Beech Ridge Schoolhouse—for continued use, appreciation, and discovery.
History of the Society
Established in March 1961, the Scarborough Historical Society and Museum was founded by a group of dedicated residents from various parts of Scarborough, Maine. Their mission was to collect, preserve, and exhibit items of historical significance to the town, ensuring that Scarborough’s rich heritage remained accessible to the public. At the time, many of the town’s historic artifacts were being sold or removed, often out of state, and the Society was determined to reverse this trend.
The Society’s home is a building steeped in history itself. Constructed in 1911 as a generator house for the Portland Railroad Company, it was one of three buildings on the site that serviced trolleys. Over the years, the building served various purposes, including housing the Dunstan Fire Company and later the Police Association. In 1961, it became the permanent home of the Scarborough Historical Society and Museum. Recognizing its historical significance, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 22, 1991.
Throughout its history, the Society has amassed extensive collections, including farming equipment, tools from bygone coopers and cobblers, quilts, clothing, class pictures, photographs of people and buildings, and a wealth of documents such as Bibles and family genealogies. These artifacts connect to Scarborough’s past and are made available to the public through exhibits and research opportunities.
The Society has recently undertaken significant projects to further its mission. Notably, it has been working to restore the Beech Ridge School building, built in 1870 and acquired by the Society in 2018. This one-room schoolhouse, where classes were held until 1947, is the last of the town’s 13 one-room schools still intact. The restoration aims to preserve the building’s historical integrity and repurpose it for educational and community use.
The Scarborough Historical Society and Museum continues to serve as a vital resource for preserving and sharing the town’s history, engaging the community through exhibits, programs, and ongoing preservation efforts.
Collections:
Our collections are extensive. There are farming equipment and tools from bygone coopers and cobblers, quilts and clothes from past eras. There are class pictures, other objects from early school days, and photographs of people, homes, buildings, and related documents, including Bibles and family genealogies.
Officers and Directors:
| President | Rodney Laughton | |
| Vice-President | Bruce Larrabee | |
| Secretary | Karlene Osborne | |
| Treasurer | Joyce Alden | |
| Historian | Don Taylor | |
| Director | Sarah Jane Matteau | |
| Director | Janice A. Makowski | |
| Director | Mary Pickard | |
| Director | Janet Leary-Prowse | |
| Director | Stephen Spaulding | |
| Director | Sandra Abbott |
Contact Us:
Hours & Location
We are open from 9:00 AM to Noon Tuesdays and the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9:00 AM to Noon.
Physical Address: 647 US Route 1, Scarborough (Next to the Dunstan Fire Station).
Phone: 207-885-9997 (If no answer, please leave a message – include your email if possible).
USPS Mailing address:
Scarborough Historical Society
PO Box 156
Scarborough, ME, 04070-0156
