Wiscasset selectmen got a mini history lesson Nov. 17. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Steve Christiansen of Willow Lane asked the board to give more consideration to maintaining and preserving some of the town’s more cherished historical buildings and artifacts.

A native of Wiscasset, Christiansen said minor repairs were needed to the town clock and tower on Fort Hill Street. He said the clock was a gift to the town in 1907 from his great, great, great grandfather Capt. William Henry Clark, a Wiscasset Civil War veteran. He added way back when the town accepted the clock it agreed to always care for and maintain it. Although the building housing it is privately owned, the town has a deed for the clock.

Christiansen said the grounds around the Powder House built for the storage of arms and ammunition during the War of 1812 could use some sprucing up as well. The grass and stone path leading up to the round brick building also needs some attention. The Powder House sits on a knoll overlooking Churchill Street. The building itself recently got a new roof and only needs some minor repairs to the vents around its cement base.

He went on to say the town might consider using the old Academy building on Warren Street, also known as the “red brick school house” for more than just a seasonal art gallery. He suggested the building would make an ideal location for a Wiscasset Historical Society, a small museum, or a home to the area’s chamber of commence.

Christiansen added he hoped to see the town revive the tradition of passing the Boston Post Cane to the community’s oldest resident. The cane was recently on display in the Lincoln County Historical Association’s Old Jail Museum. “If the board is reluctant to lend out the original cane, maybe they could have the high school make a less expensive copy of the original to use,” he suggested. The original cane is kept locked in the vault at the town office.

While he had the board’s attention, Christiansen pointed to the copper weather vane of the ship whaling ship Wiscasset sitting in the corner. Maybe the weather vane, hand-forged by the late Gil Whitman of Edegcomb and given to the town, could be put up on the buildings down at the waterfront, he suggested.

He said there was also an old wooden ship’s chest taken from the Luther Little that had been sitting in the town vault for years. “I don’t expect you to do everything overnight. I’m bringing these things to your attention so that you’ll perhaps give consideration to them,” he added.

Selectman Judy Flanagan said the board had considered remounting the weather vane on one of the town’s buildings. She added, she also had given thought to using the red brick schoolhouse for more than just an art gallery. “Some of these things Steve has mentioned are pretty easy to take care of,” she added.

Selectman Chairman Ben Rines Jr. commented the town has preserved the Powder House and Old Academy for over 200 years and he hoped the town would always continue to do so. “More people have seen and commented on the ship weather vane since it’s been in the town office this past summer then ever took notice of it when it sat on top of the municipal building,” he said.