Maine experienced a total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024. People from all over traveled to the “path of totality” in the northern and western parts of the state. (Bath experienced a “deep partial” eclipse at 96.8%). The last time Mainers witnessed a total solar eclipse at home was August 31st, 1932.

We are so sorry to say good-bye to Mary Kate Kwasnik, who for the last two years has been the Archivist & Special Collections Librarian of the Patten Free Library’s Sagadahoc History and Geneology Room, aka the History Room. She is leaving the Library - but not the area - to take another position. We truly benefited

The Carlton Bridge, which crosses the Kennebec River at Bath and Woolwich, opened in stages. First, the lower deck opened to train traffic on October 27th, 1927. Then, a few weeks later to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on November 15th. (It was officially dedicated in a grand ceremony the following year on July 2nd, 1928.) This unique view from the Bath Historical Society collections shows the ceremonial ribbon cutting in November 1927…

In January, BHS was honored to kick off the 20th edition of the Patten Free Library’s Town History Series. Local historian Ellen Endter presented on Alice May Douglas - a poet, editor, activist and Bath resident from 1865-1943.

We are fortunate to have many dedicated collecting institutions here in Bath. They pitched in to help decorate our downtown with partial images of Bath winters throughout history. Downtown visitors were encouraged to scan the photos’ QR codes to see the “full photo” and for a chance to win a history swag bag.