The Historical Society is located at 938 Post Road in Wells.  Parking is available in our circular driveway.
Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Little Miss Muffet sitting on a lobster trap
Suffered a most unusual! Mishap!
Eating a lobster roll that was a delight
Suddenly a seagull! Stole it in flight!

Little Miss Muffet strolling the Marginal Way
Enjoying Ogunquit! On a beautiful day!
When out of nowhere! To her utter dismay!
Roaring towards her! A giant tidal wave!

She decided to visit the famous Ogunquit Beach
In her scant bikini! She was certainly a peach!
The sky darkened followed by pouring rain
She was totally soaked! Welcome to Maine!

Little Miss Muffet decided it was time to eat
Couldn't find a restaurant! With an inside seat!
Found a place for dinner where she could sit
That same damn gull! Flew away with it!

By Richard “W” Perkins
(The “W” is for “Watch” those seagulls! )

 Richard Perkins is Poet Laureate of Ogunquit.  Over many years, members of the Historical Society have enjoyed, and continue to look forward to, Richard Perkins’ contributions to their quarterly newsletter. Voted “Ogunquit Most Outstanding Citizen” in 2016, he has written over 600 “odes” on a variety of subjects, as well as a culinary column in regional publications, and short stories in books and magazines.  A documentary of his life,” How Rude,” premiered in 2011 and was on view at The Leavitt Theater this past year--to the delight of all.

Letters from lawyers can be good news or bad, so when we received a letter this spring from an attorney in Nevada, we have to confess there was a bit of trepidation as we opened it.  Imagine our delight to find that we were in receipt of a generous bequest from the estate of Mrs. Carol Kobus.  Then came curiosity – who was Mrs. Kobus and why had she been so kind as to remember us in her will?  None of us on the board of directors recognized the name.  But the mystery was soon solved.  Mrs. Kobus was born Carol Card, the daughter of Henry B. Card and Elizabeth Armstrong.  Carol’s father Henry was born in York in 1867 and lived in York and Ogunquit for most of his life.

But Carol’s connection to Maine goes much deeper than that.  Her Card family line can be traced all the way back to an Englishman by the name of John Card.  John was known to be in Kittery in 1664.  Two years later he settled in York and remained there until his death in 1693.  Many of his descendants can be found today in our local communities and throughout Maine. 

Although she ended up living far from here, Carol Card Kobus was a Mainer at heart and a frequent visitor over the years, even donating several items to our archives.  She loved this area and we are so very grateful for her thoughtfulness and generosity.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Images by Jodi Locke Photography

Each August, Wells and Ogunquit become the setting for one of our most beloved events: Woodies in the Cove. Sadly, due to the current pandemic, we were not able to gather together this year as we had hoped. Please know, we are actively preparing for 2021 and look forward to seeing the Woodies roll into our community once again. So, please mark your calendars for next August 14th, 2021, and we hope to see you there!

A curious form of grave marker was produced in Maine in the mid-1800s. Consisting of large stone slabs usually held aloft by granite posts, these monuments resemble a billboard sign and have been named “Billboard Monuments” by cemetery historian and author Ron Romano. Rare and often overlooked, there are more than three dozen known to exist in Maine. One, for the Maxwell family, is found at the Riverside Cemetery in Ogunquit.  Three, for the Hill, Hubbard, and Staples families are found in Wells at Ocean View Cemetery. They are featured in a newly-published book about these interesting monuments.

Ron’s third book, entitled “Billboard Monuments of Maine: A Collection of Rare 1800s Gravestones” provides a fascinating look at this intriguing form of gravestone.  Rich with photographs, the book covers the majority of the Maine monuments and includes all four from Wells and Ogunquit.  Ron weaves stories discovered about the families memorialized on these stones with information about the monument makers and some important issues of the day including Civil War service, prohibition, and epidemic illness.

Autographed copies of this book can be ordered directly from the author for $19.95, by check or PayPal.  Those interested are invited to contact Ron at roroman@maine.rr.com for details. He will cover the packaging and shipping costs (a saving of about $4). It’s also available on Amazon, and when local bookstores reopen will be available there.

While in-person book events and cemetery walks are not yet possible, Ron is happy to answer questions about his new book, the monuments in Wells and Ogunquit, or any of the others in Maine. He can be reached at roroman@maine.rr.com.

In this time of great uncertainty, we must find new and creative ways to engage our membership and provide opportunities to grow our important work. Enter the virtual fundraiser! We have been excited to participate in a joint fundraising opportunity with the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk. Ongoing until October, this is a great opportunity to run, walk, bike, 7 miles in support of these two important, local institutions. 

Best of all- you can complete the 7-miles anywhere, anytime, and in any amount. It’s not too late to register! Go to the website and sign up today.