Lincoln County Historical Association

Wed, 09/13/2023 - 7:45am

Christine Hopf-Lovette

Jack Fourier demonstrates 18th century physician instruments. Fourier is a member of the 1777 re-enactors who will do shape note singing Sept. 16 in Dresden. Courtesy photo

Peter Morrissey makes shingles on a shaving horse. Courtesy photo

Jack Fourier demonstrates 18th century physician instruments. Fourier is a member of the 1777 re-enactors who will do shape note singing Sept. 16 in Dresden. Courtesy photo

Peter Morrissey makes shingles on a shaving horse. Courtesy photo

LCHA announced the following Wednesday, Sept. 13: Because of the impending storm, the shape note singing demonstration originally scheduled for Sept.16 at Pownalborough Court House has been canceled. There is a concern about loss of power at the site. In addition, the wet weather will prevent the Revolutionary War era re-enactors from holding their encampment on the site at that time.

Original post: Revolutionary War era re-enactors will appear in period dress at Pownalborough Court House in Dresden Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accompany a workshop on shape note singing. The Maine Shape Note Singers will demonstrate how this teaching device facilitates social singing.

Shape notes originated in New England in the early 1800s and they have been used for over two centuries in a variety of music traditions. The shape notes help singers find pitches within major and minor scales.

Anyone interested in shape note singing or in historic re-enacting is invited to join in the workshop or to simply enjoy the event in the Court Room of the historic courthouse at 23 Courthouse Road. The event is free, although donations are always welcome.

Pownalborough Court House is maintained by Lincoln County Historical Association, a non-profit organization that also provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset. For more information, please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine).