Thank you Elena and Mary!
Departing Bath Historical Society Board Members (and long time friends) Elena Vandervoort and Mary Small.
BHS would like to extend a tremendous thank you to departing Bath Historical Society Board Members Mary Small and Elena Vandervoort. Elena and Mary both grew up in Bath, in long time Bath families, with lots of wonderful (and hilarious - see photo above) memories and a passionate commitment to preserve and celebrate Bath history. BHS benefited greatly from their contributions. We caught up with them recently in a conversation reflecting on their lives in Bath, the importance of Bath history and their board service.
Mary served on the Bath Historical Society Board for 7 years after being recruited by Anne Marsh. Her service included 4 years as Board Secretary. Recruited by Dick Redlon, Elena served on the board for a 3-year term. The women’s families were close friends, their parents and brothers especially. Mary joked that her parents always said Elena was the “young lady” they hoped “hell-raiser” Mary would emulate. Their parents were also close, celebrating New Year’s together every year with champagne toasts followed by Elena’s mother’s hamburger casserole. (Recipe to come, hopefully!)
Looking back on their board service and Bath Historical Society, Elena reflected that in a city and region with many important historical organizations, Bath Historical Society stands out as a volunteer-run nonprofit focusing solely on the history of Bath. Mary, looking ahead, added, “Bath Historical Society, in its founding, focused on supporting the growth of the Patten Free Library’s History Room. Now, BHS is ready for the next phase.” With BHS moving to its own space in the Custom House building, as well as a new website, enhanced social media, and new Board Members-BHS’s “momentum” is something both Elena and Mary are proud of and excited about.
Mary noted that with the number of new residents in Bath, BHS serves as a source for history, but also as a way for folks to volunteer and get involved. “Everyone who is new here, should know how and why Bath is so special. The fascinating details about not just the 19th century ship building history, but the 20th century turning points, and especially the people that saved the downtown are what makes Bath’s story so interesting.”
Elena added, “No one should take for granted the fact that you can get everything you need in downtown Bath. Bath Historical Society helps to tell that story of how that came to be, and makes all of us more connected to this special place.”
When asked about a favorite BHS program, Mary cited one featuring John Morse and the Sagadahock Real Estate Association and their stewardship of the downtown. Elena pointed to the impact of the Sumner Sewall program where “we all learned about a local hero who grew up here in Bath, was from a ship building family, and became governor. In between all that, he was a World War I Ace in the Army Air Service.” Elena continued, “Bath was such a diverse, cosmopolitan city, with citizens like Sumner Sewall who volunteered for the war, risking his life, because it was his civic duty.”
Again, we thank Mary and Elena for answering duty’s call and serving Bath Historical Society so well. We know you will stay involved, active and celebrating Bath history! Interested in joining Bath HIstorical Society? Learn more here.
