Waterville Historical Society

Waterville Historical Society This is the page for Waterville Historical Society and Redington Museum. We are a 501c3 non profit organization.

Founded in 1903, our purpose is the preservation and education of the history of Waterville, Maine.

Lastly, in the series of Morning Sentinel building photos, here are a couple of the most recent. The iconic paper roller...
02/24/2026

Lastly, in the series of Morning Sentinel building photos, here are a couple of the most recent. The iconic paper rollers in bold graphics around the building. This Morning Sentinel building was torn down and their offices relocated to Front Street. The second photo was taken from the yard of WTVL radio station across the way, on the corner of Silver and Spring Streets.

One of the many versions of the Morning Sentinel building through the years. 25 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine.
02/18/2026

One of the many versions of the Morning Sentinel building through the years. 25 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine.

Morning Sentinel building at 25 Silver Street, Waterville. "Elks Club House" on 2nd & 3rd floors. Top center you can see...
02/16/2026

Morning Sentinel building at 25 Silver Street, Waterville. "Elks Club House" on 2nd & 3rd floors. Top center you can see the elk head on the building if you look carefully amongst the shadows of the tree branches. The Silver Street Alleys (on the street sign above the newsboys) were a very popular bowling spot 1909-1910. They featured great team rivalries and competitions, games, interesting prizes, and even a Wednesday ladies night which was non-smoking. The house to the right was likely a boarding house at this time. In the background you can see the lettering on the building for Vigue Harness and Carriage, Co. Based on Sanborn Fire Maps, city directories, and newspaper articles, this was likely taken between 1909-1911.

Waterville Morning Sentinel, 25 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine in 1958. In a short time, the first level had undergone...
02/03/2026

Waterville Morning Sentinel, 25 Silver Street, Waterville, Maine in 1958. In a short time, the first level had undergone quite a change in facade from the previously posted photo.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization, had meeting space upstairs at this time. Three connected chain links symbolized their "Friendship, Love, and Truth" motto, as seen on the sign.

A request from Amanda G. will lead us down a little memory lane about The Morning Sentinel building at 25 Silver Street,...
01/30/2026

A request from Amanda G. will lead us down a little memory lane about The Morning Sentinel building at 25 Silver Street, Waterville. Here is one of the oldest photos we have (mid-1950s) with a good view of Noel's Cafe beside it. Stay tuned for more through the years, including a couple photos inside. And a fun advertisement from the late 1950s.

First Baptist Church on Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. Circa 1920.
01/26/2026

First Baptist Church on Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. Circa 1920.

1984 doesn't seem like that long ago, but Waterville's sidewalk plows sure have changed! This doesn't look nearly as nim...
01/20/2026

1984 doesn't seem like that long ago, but Waterville's sidewalk plows sure have changed! This doesn't look nearly as nimble as today's machines.

These historic buildings on Main Street sure look a lot different now than in this 1978 photo. Surely you have some good...
01/14/2026

These historic buildings on Main Street sure look a lot different now than in this 1978 photo. Surely you have some good Whipper's Pizza stories. What was your favorite thing to order? Did you work there?

Just past the gas station awning are the signs for The Bowlers' Country Club and Mr. Fish-n-Chips, as some of you mentio...
01/09/2026

Just past the gas station awning are the signs for The Bowlers' Country Club and Mr. Fish-n-Chips, as some of you mentioned in the previous post. You have good memories! This is Upper Main Street, intersection of Armory Road, Waterville in 1975. Check out that gas price and those cars for sale. Random street photos often turn out to be the best memory triggers in the collection!

Many of you have asked about photos of the Upper Main Street and Elm Plaza areas. Here is a great one of Grants and Firs...
01/08/2026

Many of you have asked about photos of the Upper Main Street and Elm Plaza areas. Here is a great one of Grants and First National stores. And doesn't that parking lot look like a car show!
W.T. Grant Co. operated Grants, a popular and loved nationwide variety/department store. Did you ever eat at The Skillet restaurant inside Grants? First National opened first on Main Street in Waterville and then became an anchor in the Elm Plaza in the 1960s. First National (Finast) was a historic national supermarket chain. What are your memories about these stores?

Happy New Year, everyone! Watch your step out there today.Here's one from Spring Street in the winter of 1979; some manu...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year, everyone!
Watch your step out there today.
Here's one from Spring Street in the winter of 1979; some manual salting/sanding. Likely some of you are doing this today.
Do you recognize these guys?

Address

62 Silver Street
Waterville, ME
04901

Telephone

(207) 872-9439

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