Topsham Fair

From Topsham Fair Website:

When the late Lyman E. Smith who served the Sagadahoc Agricultural and Horticultural society for 25 years, from 1878 to 1913, on the executive committee and as secretary and treasurer, retired from office, he presented Edwin C. Patten of Topsham who is now secretary of the organization,--and who has in his turn been in office for 23 years serving two terms as President,--with a collection of Schedules of Premium books dating from the first Fair in 1855, and other papers relative to the history of the Association from its beginning in 1854.

One interested could spend many hours reading and comparing the schedules with those of today. Perhaps a short resume of the facts regarding the corporating of the Society in 1854, its location and purchase of land up to the year 1875, a period of twenty years will be of interest to some Record Readers.

The list of articles for which premiums were given in the Hall Exhibit and on the Grounds has changed greatly progressing with the times. A comparison of the modern commodities advertised in today?s schedule in the back of the programs with those of 60 years also ago give a fairly accurate history of the change in the social life of our community.