Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-01
State Education
Commissioner Talks
On History in Schools

~ 49, e~SAA~ OAA
Local History In the Schools" was
the subject Of the talk given by. As
sistant State Commissioner Of Edu
cation Bertram e. Packard at the
mid winter meeting of the Woman's
Philanthropic Union which was held
In Grand Army hall Saturday after
noon. This talk was repeated by
special request of members of the
Parent-Teacher Association before
which organization 1t was given
some months ago. It proved so in
tensely interesting and valuable to
both educators and citizens that it's
repetition was desired. The occasion
was the 28th session of the Union,
and the presiding officer was Mrs.
Laura e. Richards, who has been
president Of the Union since its
foundation nearly 80 years ago.
The speaker of the day prefaced
his talk with the declaration that the
study Of local history is Of para
mount Importance, as 1t Is closely
linked with good citizenship, for we
should not expect children to be
lovers of their country without first
learning to love their own commun-
ity. The study of local history is
also important for the reason that it
ID q 5tuOy lIOIu luS SOuTCGS, the
pupil unconsciously acquires a his
torical sense, and learns to distin-
guish between the true and the false
This country has always suffered
from the wrong teaching of history
In the school, for much has been col
ored by the opinion of the writer,
no matter how eminent an authority
he may be, 1t Is only natural that he
should allow his personal opinion to
bias his writing.
The early history of Maine Is re-
plete with romance, adventure and
tragedy. In connection with this
statement Mr.. Packard related sew
eral stories of olden times that were
particularly interesting. He then
went on to trace the history of
Maine, from the first landing of
George Weymouth in the ship Arch
angel at Monhegan in 1905 through
the early part Of that century during
which period settlements were made
at Popham, Pemaquid and Castine.
He told of the trading post that
was established at what is now Au-
gusta in 1925 by Edward Winslow
and others of the Plymouth Colony,
and declared that this was of more
| Importance that was generally con-
SSOSN 60 tiC lCNCHuSo procured from
the trade at this Post was in large
measure responsible for the success
OF the Plymouth Colony.
Nothing more was done in the way
| of settlements until the Proprietors
| of the Kennebec Purchases was
formed, the most prominent and en-
/ terprlsing member of which was DR..
| Sylvester Gardiner. His first settle
ment was at Powlandborough (now
| Dresden), mad this was later made
the shire town Of Lincoln county.
| This county then took in what is now
| 13 counties from the Androscoggin
to st. Croix, and Pownalborough be-
came an important town. for all legal
business had to be transacted in the
court house in that place.
| He referred to Rev. Jacob Bailey
and the services held in Pownal-
| borough, and said that the Rev. Mr.
Bailey held services in Gardiner and
Augusta, and undoubtedly preached
in other towns along the Kennebec
DR.. Sylvester's second settlement was
at Swan Island. and his third al
Gardiner.
Mr.. Packard did not elaborate on
the early history Of Gardiner proper
for he declared that 1t was subject
that was too well known to need dis
cussion. He referred briefly 20 the
Arnold expedition and its stay a
Pittston in 1875. IN conclusion he
pointed out that the teaching of loca