Turner Historical Museum

Rich in history and culture, the Town of Turner has a dedicated Historical Society that is dedicated to preserving our community’s unique sense of place by showcasing Turner’s past. The Turner Historical Museum is located on the fourth floor of Turner’s historic Leavitt Institute Building in the community’s village center. The Museum is currently open for public viewing on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 12:00pm to 5:00pm., and Saturdays by appointment. Call 225-2629.

Picture from 1900 showing school children and their teacher outside the school.

Upper Street School

Upper Street School about 1900. Children: Elsie Whitman, Ethel Talbot, Annie Haskell, Mabel Barrell, Mabel Tucker, Isabel Pearl, Elsie Pearl, Clarence Briggs, Myra Briggs, Annabel Wills, Fred Davis, Johnny Calendar, Frank Carey, Vesta Davis, Olin Briggs, Teacher, Josephine True (Hinkley.) In 1948 the teacher was Muriel Morris (Pratt) and the first grade had one student. The school was closed in 1949-1950 and all students went to Turner Center. This school building was the first school house.

1920's picture of a lady driving a very old car down a dirt road in the middle of Turner

Turner Village’s Past

Turner Village about the late 1920's. Note the telephone wires which at that time each line had its own wire thus the many wires on the poles. Also note the railroad tracks on the right side of what is now Main Street. The Turner Railroad was operated from November 4, 1905 to the last freight car October 17, 1928. Myrna Hinkley said they jokingly referred to the railroad as the Toonerville Trolley, but they were very proud of it.

Old church building with a telephone pole in the front

Turner Congregational Church

The Congregational church building was constructed in 1854, replacing the first meeting house on Upper Street. Horace True wrote in his diary for 30 Dec1856, "Went to the Dedication of the new meeting House at the village." On 1 Nov 1927 a fire started in the chimney and spread quickly. Mrs. Charles Anderson ran to the front of the church and rang the bell as a warning and all escaped safely. The building was a total loss. From that time the members met in the Baptist Church.

Three horse and buggies loaded with milk cans. People standing on the porch of the creamery behind the horses.

Turner Centre Creamery

Edwin Leavitt Bradford, founder, started in his wife's kitchen in Bradford Village (now Turner Center) in 1882. Before the year was out he built the Turner Centre Creamery. His objective was "the mfg. of Butter, cheese and evaporated apple." In 1893 the company was moved to Minot Ave. in Auburn and incorporated. In 1917 Turner Centre Creamery, was the first firm to mfg. Ice Cream on a commercial basis in New England. It was the largest milk business in Maine until 1929.

Very old picture of the North Turner Chair Factory with at least 15 undistinguishable workers standing to the side of the building as if they were on break.

The North Turner Chair Factory

The North Turner Chair Factory was named Keen & Brown and employed 35 people. The structure burned February, 1886 and was rebuilt under the Washburn Chair Co. This factory was the first one in Maine to manufacture willow chairs.

The Leavitt Institute building with grass and trees.

The Leavitt Institute

James Madison Leavitt gave this building for secondary education to the town of Turner. Before that time secondary students studied out of town. The first class graduated in 1896 and the last class under the name of Leavitt Institute graduated in 1966. From 1967 to 1968 the school name was changed to Leavitt High School.

White building on a main dirt road with two people and an old car out front.

Lawrence Store

Walter Lawrence Store and Post Office. The store in Turner Center," became the "Grange" store, later known for many years as "Walter Lawrence & Son. The hall over the store was dedicated in October, 1874, where the grange met until November 1898.

First Meeting House

After some controversy the meeting house was completed in 1782. The town was responsible for the construction of the meeting house and the support of the pastor as part of the incorporation of the town. It was difficult to call a pastor and there were times when there was no settled pastor. At one time Rev. Charles Turner was the pastor and it was him for whom the Town received its name. This building was located on the east side of Upper Street at the junction of Pearl Road.

Berry Hall

James Leavitt's sister, Mrs. Mercy Berry gave money to build a dormitory to be known as Berry Hall. The money was given according to his desire for a dormitory. Berry Hall was dedicated in 1906, but was lost by fire on February 2, 1918, but was rebuilt about three years later. Over the years Berry Hall was used less for a dormitory and more and more for classrooms and small apartments. The structure was demolished in 1989.

Outside the Turner Public Library, children sit on the grass in a circle around a librarian who is reading a book.
Turner Public Library

Turner’s Public Library maintains an extensive collection of books and materials for visitors of all ages and interests. They also offer a broad range of programs sure to pique your interest. Click here to be taken to their website for up-to-date information.

Music at The Gazebo

The public is cordially invited to attend the Music for Mavis summer concert series each Tuesday evening at The Gazebo. The Gazebo is located on the lawn at the Leavitt Institute Building in the historic village center. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. (6:00 p.m. during September). So bring a lawn chair and consider pitching in when the hat is passed — $10.00 is suggested — that’s how the musicians get paid. For more information, call 207-754-0954.

This year’s schedule is:

May 10 Stan Davis
May 17 Mary Murphy
May 24 Jodi and Boys
May 31 Bald Hill Band

June 2 Blue Fuze
June 7 Rabbi and Lisa Scruli
June 14 The Cobblestones
June 21 Sonya & Friends
June 28 Nick Appolonio

July 4 Bellamy Jazz Band
July 5 Melinda Liberty
July 12 Backwoods Road Band
July 19 Maggie and Robbie
July 26 Mill Town Road Show

Aug 2 Christine & Friends
Aug 9 Denny Breau
Aug 16 Pat Colwell
Aug 23 Kevin Libby and friends
Aug 30 Marty Lang and friends

Sept 6 Ian Dirty McCurdy
Sept 13 Pam Weeks – T’Acadie
Sept 20 Hot Damn – N&D Pell
Sept 27 Mary Murphy

Band with guitars playing music in a gazebo