Step Back in Time at the old “Gray House”

Previous Event

On September 13, 2025, the Boothbay Region Historical Society presented a unique evening at one of the oldest homes in the region. Located on Sawyers Island overlooking the Sheepscot River, the history of the Gray House (now Leach) reaches back into the 1700s, including a time when the house served as an inn and tavern for local residents and waterborne travelers. In 2007, the Gray House was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Guests were invited to tour the house filled with artifacts, photographs and historical displays, Joseph Patten’s tavern journal dated 1753-1762, a cannon left from the War of 1812, and more. Later, guests gathered under a tent overlooking the water for taste bites and tavern lore intertwined with the history of Gray House. Well-known Maine food historian, Sandra Oliver, described early foods and beverages found in taverns and inns, as well as the average home. A buffet of food and beverage samples took guests back to that early era. Local archaeologist, Tim Dinsmore, shared stories of early tavern life and more recent excavations at the Bryant-Barker tavern in Newcastle.

The Society is indebted to Sally Leach Sewall for once again opening her family’s historic home for a fundraising event to support the Society. We would also like to honor the memory of Sally’s sister, Susan. As a trustee, Susan was always enthusiastic about supporting the Society and sharing region history through exhibits, speakers, and events such as this house tour. Sally and Susan followed in the footsteps of their parents, Harry and Sally Leach, who first opened their home to the Society in 2006. The Leach family embodies the Society’s mission to maintain and pass on the region’s rich history.

We would like to recognize our “Event In-Kind Sponsor” Mine Oyster, “Event Sponsor” First Federal Savings & Loan, “House Tour Sponsors” Knickerbocker Group and Colby & Gale, “Program Sponsors” Mark & Dianne Gimbel and Balmy Days Cruises, “Social In-Kind Sponsors” Brady’s Restaurant, Biscay Orchards, Eventide Specialties, Hannaford, Sweet Dreams Bakery, “Social Sponsors”  Hodgdon Yachts and Alan & Suzanne Cleveland, and our “Friends Sponsors” Hawke Motors Inc., Sarah Wilcox, Lucian Laurie, Kay Wilder, and Hildy & Peter Johnson-In Honor of Harry T. Leach Family for their support of this event.

Additional information is available by clicking here for our Events Calendar.

Oak Street looking toward the present site of the Museum (on the left)

Is it possible to fit 150 years of history into one room? Well, our Exhibit Committee has given it a darn good try! Our current exhibit, A Look Back: 150 Years of Life in the Boothbay Region, takes Elizabeth Freeman Reed’s birth in 1874 as a jumping off point to tell the history of the Boothbay region over the last century and a half.

The exhibit includes biographical information on Captain Freeman K. Reed who was in the business of transporting ice and who built the Oak Street house for his family in 1873.  There is a display exploring Elizabeth’s involvement in the women’s social and activist group, using newly cataloged records in the Monday Club Collection. The “Now and Then” Board compares photographs of historic buildings to their modern counterparts.

Also included are photos and stories on historic mills, the ice industry, lobstering, and other industries that helped define and support the growth of our area. From books to branding irons, paintings to plummets, signs to shoes, this exhibit has something for everyone.

1874 Elizabeth F. Reed House

The mission of the Boothbay Region Historical Society
is to collect, preserve, and promote interest in the history of
the Boothbay Region through research, exhibits, and programs.

The society is a non-profit
membership 501(c)(3) organization. 

The society was founded in 1967. In 1984, it moved to its present location at the Elizabeth F. Reed house and its grounds, Fullerton Park. The society has traditionally represented the three towns of the region: Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport. Today, Southport is also well represented with its own museum. In addition to ongoing exhibits and collections of artifacts,photographs, and historical and genealogical documents, the society presents a variety of programs of local interest throughout the year.

Boothbay Region Historical Society is governed by a volunteer board of trustees assisted by administrative staff and other volunteers. The society’s mission is financially supported by membership dues, donations, fundraising events, and the sale of books and other items on sale at the museum. We rely on our volunteers to assist with exhibits, special programs, events, and to maintain our collections and archives.