Leeds Historical Society

Leeds Historical Society The Leeds Historical Society preserves historical records, landmarks and artifacts related to Leeds and promotes interest in the town's history. The Henry M.

The Leeds Historical Society meets at the History Center - the old Leeds Town House on Rt. 106, the first Weds. of the month (except July and January), at 7 pm. The public is always welcome. The LHS collection is open by appointment. Leeds Historical Society Facts

Collections:
The Historical Society has scattered Town Records and Minutes and extensive mortgage and property valuation information

for historic Leeds. Birth, marriage and death records are available, as are cemetery records. In-depth genealogies for several local families have already been compiled. The Society also maintains several separate collections. The Ernest and Kitty (Carville) Russel Collection contains early 20th century photos and diaries. Brewster Collection has many turn-of-the-century materials, and the John Young Merrill Collection is composed of photographs, deeds and diaries from 1855-1865. The Leeds Historical Society also has preserved some additional public records as well as local maps and newspapers. Facilities:
Built in 1823 as the Leeds townhouse, the building that now houses the Leeds Historical Society was first employed as a meeting venue for the town's members. It served in this capacity for many years, also going through brief spells of time as a Universalists' meetinghouse and a schoolhouse. The town house's roof was heightened in 1851 and the building underwent more extensive renovations in the 1930s and 1970s. In 2004 the Leeds Historical Society acquired a lease on the building. Leeds Historical Society
Route 106
Leeds, ME 04263

(207) 524-2324
[email protected]

09/04/2026

VIDEO of the GREAT LEEDS 225th PARADE!
I'm still trying to post the video directly onto this page, but in the meantime, if you go to the Leeds Volunteer Fire Dept. FB page, you can watch a fun video of the parade. Thanks again to all who made the celebration such fun!

08/26/2026

Hi, all you Leeds Historical Society fans! August is almost over, and I want to remind people that it's time to join the LHS - $10 for a year's worth of good times, informative programs, and knowing you're supporting one of Leeds' wonderful organizations.

Please make out checks to Leeds Historical Society and send them to:
Leeds Historical Society
% Eileen Coyne, Treasurer 763 River Rd. Leeds, Maine 04263

THANK YOU. We meet monthly at the History Center at 3:00 on the first Tuesday of the month (except Jan. and July)

And the final installment of So You Think You Know Leeds.....20. Who is this woman? 21. Leeds Community Church was o...
08/23/2026

And the final installment of So You Think You Know Leeds.....

20. Who is this woman?

21. Leeds Community Church was originally built by and in what year?
a. Universalists b. Baptists c. Methodists a. 1804 b. 1872 c. 1895

22. At its peak, how many one room schools did Leeds have? a.10 b.8 c.13

23. When the town was incorporated in 1801, they almost named the town what? a. Littleborough b. Cuba c. Stinchfield

24. Who is this man?:

25. When did electricity begin to be brought into town? a. 1933 b. 1928 c. 1936

26. What group was behind the fundraising of the Keene’s Corner community hall in 1891? a. the Quakers b. Ladies Aid Society c. the Nazarene Church

27. The bell in the belfry and chandelier in the sanctuary of the Leeds Community Church were:
a donation from the Presbyterians b. from the Baptist church next door c.original items from the Universalist Church.

Beverage or Bouquet? These glasses are perfect for BOTH! Available at the Leeds Town Office, just $10 each!
08/22/2026

Beverage or Bouquet? These glasses are perfect for BOTH! Available at the Leeds Town Office, just $10 each!

Get your Leeds 225th Pint Glass while supplies last! Available at the Town Office.
08/22/2026

Get your Leeds 225th Pint Glass while supplies last!
Available at the Town Office.

08/15/2026

So You Think You Know Leeds pg. 3

13. Chief Sabatis was the leader of the Abenaki people in this area when the Stinchfields came
settle here

True False

14. Who was the first minister and teacher in Leeds?

a. Thomas Stinchfield b. Thomas Davis Francis c. Thomas Millett

15. The local Grange in town was what number of the Granges in the state?

a. 52 b. 103 c. 99

16. Who always wore 7 pieces of jewelry, even while doing garden work?

a. Oceana Additon b. Hilda Waite c. Alice Deane

17. Geographically, Leeds is approximately how large?

a. 12 x5 miles b. 10x7 miles c. 13x4 miles

18. When was the last passenger train through Leeds?

a. 1948 b. 1958 c. 1954

19. Swain’s Mill in West Leeds was what type of mill?

Okay....installment #2 of the So You Think You Know Leeds: 7. Who is this? see photos at end of post 8. Which of the f...
08/06/2026

Okay....installment #2 of the So You Think You Know Leeds:

7. Who is this? see photos at end of post

8. Which of the following men was not a fire chief?
a. David Trider b. Jerry Hartford c. Steve Page

9. In what year did the deacons open the Clothing Center at the Grange Hall? a. 1980 b. 1990 c. 1970

10. The frequent way to cross the river to Turner was by:
a. toll bridge b. ferry c. walk on the ice d. all of them

11. Who is this? See photos at end of post

12. How many railroad stops were there in Leeds? a. 1 b. 2 c. 4 d. 5


#7 photo and #11

PHOTOGRAPHS! Here's one of the hardworking, ever industrious Leeds Historical Society crew enjoying the day post 225th ...
08/06/2026

PHOTOGRAPHS! Here's one of the hardworking, ever industrious Leeds Historical Society crew enjoying the day post 225th Celebration.

WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS, TOO! With luck we can get front page coverage in the Country Courier, if we submit some. Post them here, and we'll save 'em and send 'em to the Courier!

Thanks!

07/31/2026

I can't find the post now, but someone was wondering what the word was carved into the granite above the plaque on the Howard Peace monument on Monument Hill.
The word shown in the post would have been SURE. Each of the four sides had one word, the four taken together said:
1865 PEACE WAS SURE

04/15/2026

Leeds Historical Society

Spring/Summer 2026

Talks, Walks & Celebrations

Abenaki and Early Leeds Settlers

April 24th Leeds Town Office, 6pm
(sponsored by Our Town Leeds)

It seems fitting to reexamine the early years and people of our town, especial this year with America's 250th and Leeds 225th anniversaries, As Abenaki presence dwindled, many of the settlers who came, including Thomas Stinchfield, were Revolutionary War veterans and I'll also speak about a sizable, forgotten, population of African Americans who made Leeds their home.

Bishop Hill and a Revolutionary War veterans cemetery

June 6th Bishop Hill, 1pm (Rain date – June 7th)

Come join us to view one of the most beautiful vistas in Leeds as you learn about how the interesting Bishop family come to live and prosper on the hill in the early years, 1781. In more recent times, we'll hear how the farm has changed and grown with the care of the Murphy family. We'll then take a short walk, or drive, down the hill to the cemetery and hear about two veterans stories.

We're meeting at 477 Bishop Hill Road --

Coming south on Rt. 106 into Leeds Center, take a left onto Bishop Hill Rd. after the recycling center and drive 2 miles OR

Coming north on Rt. 106 turn right over the RR tracks to Bog Rd and take an immediate left onto Bishop Hill Rd. for 1.5 miles

A New Biography of Governor Ken Curtis

June 13 Leeds Community Church on Church Hill Rd., 7pm

Join the Leeds Historical Society and the Kennebec Land Trust for a presentation by journalist and author Douglas Rooks, featuring reading from his new biography, Transformational: Ken Curtis, Maine's Reform Governor. Questions, refreshments, and a book signing will follow.

Leeds 225th Celebration

July 18th (Rain date – July 19th) all day

Leeds Center, Leeds Central School and the Ledges of Leeds

You're going to want to join us for this town celebration with a morning parade, dedication of a bell tower at Leeds Central School, kid's activities and lunch at the school, tours exhibits of various sorts at the Ledges with a beanhole bean supper and music to end the evening.

Address

Rt. 106; Leeds Center
Leeds, ME
04263

Telephone

(207) 524-2324

Website

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