History says that the Amish began arriving in Maine in the mid-1990s, buying reasonably-priced farmlands to practice their faith and raise their families. Maine's first Amish community was in Smyrna. From there, communities have been established throughout the state. Now in the Sacopee area, there is a growing Amish Community on the Porter Plain off of South Hiram Road. You have probably already noticed the bicycles and horse-drawn wagons in our area. Their First Fruits Produce Market near the Durgintown Road and South Hiram Road intersection will be opening again in April. Another community-friendly business is opening soon: the Rise-n-Shine Greenhouses. Available for sale will be hanging baskets, such as geraniums, petunias, pansies, and mixed flowers plus vegetable starts and bedding plants. Other ventures in the community include multiple sawmills providing rough-cut lumber, a furniture shop, an insulation business, a harness shop, and an egg farm. The public is welcome to the community to witness the various farming, home, and trades sites other than tour day as well, but we have two dates available. Let’s learn more about this unique and peaceful community. No fees or donations are expected. The Meeting place is located inside the Amish Community of Porter Plains at the Rise-n-Shine Greenhouses. Just follow the SVACE tour signs. No cameras, phones, or other electronic devices are allowed. Please pre-register as space is limited.

History says that the Amish began arriving in Maine in the mid-1990s, buying reasonably-priced farmlands to practice their faith and raise their families. Maine's first Amish community was in Smyrna. From there, communities have been established throughout the state. Now in the Sacopee area, there is a growing Amish Community on the Porter Plain off of South Hiram Road. You have probably already noticed the bicycles and horse-drawn wagons in our area. Their First Fruits Produce Market near the Durgintown Road and South Hiram Road intersection will be opening again in April. Another community-friendly business is opening soon: the Rise-n-Shine Greenhouses. Available for sale will be hanging baskets, such as geraniums, petunias, pansies, and mixed flowers plus vegetable starts and bedding plants. Other ventures in the community include multiple sawmills providing rough-cut lumber, a furniture shop, an insulation business, a harness shop, and an egg farm. The public is welcome to the community to witness the various farming, home, and trades sites other than tour day as well, but we have two dates available. Let’s learn more about this unique and peaceful community. No fees or donations are expected. The Meeting place is located inside the Amish Community of Porter Plains at the Rise-n-Shine Greenhouses. Just follow the SVACE tour signs. No cameras, phones, or other electronic devices are allowed. Please pre-register as space is limited.

BLAZO-LEAVITT HOMESTEAD (1812 & 1817) TOUR

William Blazo built the Blazo-Leavitt Homestead in North Parsonsfield. The ell--with one large chimney--was built in 1812. The main section of the house--with four more chimneys--was added in 1817. It is a two-story Portsmouth Federal-style home with elaborate doorways, ornate interior woodwork, a Palladian window over the front door, and a large central hall. It was in the same family until 1974. Then, from 1977 until 2008, the homestead went through four different owners. From 2008 until late 2013, the structure was vacant. The present owner has worked hard to restore the homestead. The Rufus-Porter type murals and graining by artist Sandy Howe are outstanding. The Blazo-Leavitt Homestead was featured in the October 2019 issue of Early American Life; a copy of which is at the Brown Memorial Library. The homestead is located on Route 160 South in North Parsonsfield, diagonally across the street from the Parsonsfield Seminary.  Please note: There is no charge for this tour. The $5 registration fee will be donated to the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society. If you would like to contribute other funds to the historical society, you may also do so at  the time of the tour. Pre-registration is required due to spacing and safety issues. Extra sessions will be available as needed.

The Brown Family or their caretakers owned Valley Lodge for 181 years until 1973. Brothers David and Ephraim Brown came to Flintstown (now Baldwin) with their father, Captain David Brown, from Concord, Massachusetts in 1783. Captain David Brown helped lay out the plot plan and worked on the roads in Flintstown. He never lived in Maine, but his son Ephraim built Valley Lodge. Ephraim's brother David built Saddle Back Farm (now gone) right above Valley Lodge. Ephraim had 7 children who all lived to be adults. Thus, in the early 1800s, he added to the original cape by building a Federal Colonial over the front half of the cape. However, none of the early features of the cape were disturbed. It is possible to see the evolution of architectural styles from the mantels. From pre-revolutionary to the late Victorian periods, 95% of the original features are still present. Valley Lodge was featured in the April 2011 issue of Early American Life; a copy is at the Brown Memorial Library. Valley Lodge is located at 67 E. Saddleback Road, West Baldwin. Take Brown Road, which goes up behind Limington Lumber on RT 113. Take the first right, which is E. Saddleback. Valley Lodge is the first house. Please note: There is no charge for this tour. The $5 registration fee will be donated to the Baldwin Historical Society. If you would like to contribute other funds to the historical society, you may also do so at  the time of the tour. Pre-registration is required due to spacing and safety issues. Extra sessions will be available as needed.

The John Calvin Cottage was initially built for the local mill owner’s family. The quaint structure is picturesquely situated on a 1.8-acre island in the Ossipee River, just above a waterfall. Mature landscaping complements the simplicity of the architecture, certainly a John Calvin Stevens design. Cathedral ceilings and lovely stained glass windows, along with period doors and woodwork, all capture the essence of the time. An antique cook stove in the kitchen and a period fireplace in the living room further add to the cottage’s charm. Definitely a historic jewel! Please note: There is no charge for this tour. The $5 registration fee will be donated to the Porter-Parsonsfield Historical Society. If you would like to contribute other funds to the historical society, you may also do so at  the time of the tour. Parking is available at the cottage or the Parsonsfield Post Office. Pre-registration is required due to spacing and safety issues.

     Sat. June 10, 12-1, 1 Meeting

     Rain Date Sun. June 11

     Note: Rain date is for heavy rain