Collections

Primary Material

Merrill, John Young collection- Contains correspondence, records, memorabilia, photographs, diaries, and artifacts ~ 1823 - 1898 relating to the Merrill family.

Brewster, Henry Morgan collection– Contains 1902 diary, earlier extracts, and scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings of 1880’s consisting mostly of agricultural articles written by him. Includes letter from Thomas Lindsey to Abial Bishop, 1863

Russell/Carville (Ernest and Eula) collection – Contains mainly photographs and 1919, 1921-26, and 1928 diaries of Ernest Russell

Burnham/Newcomb family collection - Collection contains records, correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, and genealogical research materials primarily related to the Burnham and Newcomb families

Dr. Daniel Frank Davis Russell collection – Photographs, newspaper clippings and interviews

Curtis collection – Compilation of various items such as document about care for Abner Curtis, Sr. and wife to Junior, 1847, Abby Curtis diary of the late 1930’s, and some photographs

W. Scott Lane store receipts – from merchandise purchased in 1928, 1930-33, and 1939 for the store in Leeds Center

Fitch/More – McKenny collection – Contains mainly photographs from 1891-1965

Willard J. Fish Civil War diary, Jan 30 – Aug 27, 1865

James Carver collection – documents, photos, spur, belt related to Civil War enlistment

Diary of John H. Neal – North Leeds, 1898

Leeds Liquor Agency ledger, 1864 – 1883

E.S. Waite store cash ledger – June 28, 1919 – Nov 1921

George Parcher collection – letters of various sorts ~ 1850 – 1940's as State legislator, County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace

Leeds Agricultural Association – Minutes, 1926- 1950, Cattle Show and Fair booklets, ~1927-1935

Leeds Grange – Records, various, mainly 1910 –1920 and 1960 – 1980

Tri-Corner Club – Account books and ledgers, 1949 – 1968

Charles Orin Wright collection – documentation, purple heart and burial flag related to his service in WWII.

Tightwad Gazette, June 1990 – Nov 1996 – Written by Amy Dacyczyn promoting a frugal lifestyle

Town Crier, April 1987 – Feb 1997 – Local newsletter prior to column in Country Courier called “Leeds Line”

Leeds 2001 Bicentennial Committee – Planning records, photographs and paraphernalia

Albert Bryant’s genealogical records from early 1900’s to 1930’s – In a searchable database along with other cemetery records, obituary information and other sources.

Leeds Grammer School and V.A. Deane School graduation programs

Poems by Cad Morris collection - ~40 poems from the 1980's

Interviews of various town’s people – starting around 1950's

Original stories and memoirs

Public Records

(see also Town Records held at Leeds Town Office)

Town Reports, 1889 – present

Tax Records, 1863 – 1930’s some missing

Tax List Books, 1911-13, 1935-42, 1945

Valuation and List Book, 1912

Vital Statistics compiled from Town Reports, 1920 – 2004

Leeds Telephone Association, 1948 -

Photographs

Some individual photographs are available for viewing at Maine Memory Site.

Lavallee, Roland collection - ~200 4x5 bl&wh negatives taken during the 1960 – early 1970’s as a professional photographer

Glass negative collection from James Talbot - nearly 100 glass plate negatives of Leeds, mainly, from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s (possibly taken by Silas Morse)

Stereoscopic photographs of a number of Leeds scenes

Historical Objects including paintings

Civil War sword and Colt revolver - Ames Chicopee, MA, 1864

Leeds Post Office – sign and sorting desk

McCaskey's account register from W. Scott Lane's general store

School teacher's wooden pointer and hand-held bell

Woven coverlet, circa 1835 – owned by Laura Herrick (dau.of Frank and Lucy)

Civil War discharge papers for Lucius C. Curtis – framed

Purple Heart and related documents of Charles Orin Wright, 1945

Sunshine Society Quilt, 1935

Handiwork awarded at the Leeds Grange Fair – most from Sadie Libby

Cream separator and metal milk container – owned by the Deane family

Large gilded frame individual portraits of Davis Francis Lothrop and Carolyn (Morse) Lothrop, circa

Thomas Hallowell home and family – framed oval photograph

Oil painting by W. Scott Lane – a cow in a pasture

Oil painting by Alden Grant – landscape

Oil painting by Edwin Merrill – Leeds Center looking out toward Lake Androscoggin

Oil painting by Nancy Trider – Leeds Community Church