Bicentennial Celebration – August 3-6, 2006
The two yoke of oxen–coddled in the 21st Century as are we–would have been more seriously challenged by the task of bringing the actual Meeting House up the hill back in 1832. Despite the heat and with the encouragement of the cheering onlookers and their handlers Julie Giles and Dwayne Woodsome, the oxen and a replica made it to the top of Chadbourne's Ridge on Saturday afternoon, August 5th.
The re-enactment of the moving of the 1806 Meeting House in 1832 was one of several events enjoyed by fans of history and of the Elder Grey Meeting House especially. Sallie Huot portrayed Anna Gray, relating her life as the wife of Elder James Gray. Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. addressed the congregation about his personal connections with history. Music was provided by Monica Palmes Grabin, the Seaglass Overtones, and a Limerick trio.
Antiques, memorabilia and historic documents were displayed on the lawn, at times dancing perilously in the wind. Rev. Donald Dickinson, himself a devotee of antique houses and churches, delivered a sermon to inspire us all.
Following all the events, a consortium of sentimentalists pooled their money and bid on the replica so that it would be donated to the Waterborough Historical Society for placement on the campus of the Taylor-Frey-Leavitt House Museum in Waterboro Center. As you pass by, you may notice members of the Ossipee Meadows Garden Club using the replica as their potting shed, an example of Yankee thrift combining history and practical utilization.
The 2006 Bicentennial celebration was a project enjoyed by the planners and attendees alike.