Harmon Museum & Historical Society

Welcome to the Harmon Museum, home of the Old Orchard Beach Historical Society.  Along seven miles of Atlantic shoreline in Saco Bay lies the unique town of Old Orchard Beach.  Those who live here never want to leave, and those who visit yearn to return. 

The 2009 Harmon Museum displays include: the dramatic and extensive fire history of the town; the Pier and the famous Big Band era perrformers who came to town to perform here; the Kite Race Track; and baseball.

We appreciate your virtual visit, and hope you will make an in-person visit to the Museum during our summer hours, June through September.  Though the museum maintains seasonal hours, our office is staffed year-round and group tours are available by appointment throughout the year.  Please call 207-934-9319 or email info@harmonmuseum.org to make an appointment or for more information. 

We hope you will bookmark our website and return often to learn more about Old Orchard Beach's bright future and golden past!  (Photo above right: Ice formations on The Pier pilings, 1907.)

The Harmon Museum is offering for sale original (not reprints) historical Old Orchard Beach Annual Town Reports for a variety of years from 1885 on.  Click here for a full list of available reports.  Condition varies as does the information each contains.  Reports are available for $5 each including shipping or purchase three or more for just $3 each.  For more information or to purchase, contact Harmon Museum Project Manager and Researcher, Evelyn Cooper via email or phone 207-934-9319.

By Arthur Guerin

The 1907 Fire Society has officially become a Not-for-Profit Incorporation, as of December 15, 2008. Due to the generosity of the owners of Seacoast RVs, Mike and Linda Mailhot, who advanced the necessary funds to the Society in the amount of $15,000. Because of this act of generosity Old Orchard Beach has once again gained possession of a piece of its history, the 1925 American LaFrance 1000 gpm pumper originally purchased by Chief Theodore Mingo and affectionately known as "Ol Bertha".

We are very fortunate to have acquired the truck at this time; it was going to be sold to a collector of antique vehicles from the country of Norway and shipped to that country in a container containing other antique cars and trucks.

The truck made its debut on December 7th, 2008 by participating in Old Orchard Beach's 16th annual Celebrate the Season by the Sea tree lighting and holiday celebration.  It was a site to behold! Society President Arthur Guerin was the operator assisted by Society Director Charles Davis (a former Call Man for the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department).  It will make several appearances this coming year in May, July and September.

The fundraising for buying the truck has slowed down a bit due to the holidays, but we will start anew in January.  We have collected about half of the $20,000.00 needed and the Society still must pay off the loan given to us by the Mailhot's. 

The Society is very grateful for the donations that have been received and are confident that the rest will be raised. The people of Old Orchard Beach recognize that our Town is rich in history and why preserving our past is so important: from the past we learn how to make a better future. For more information on how to make a donation, email Arthur Guerin.

We are looking forward to displaying our collection of artifacts and equipment in the new Museum of the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department. Although it is yet to be built, we are looking ahead to its realization.

Do you have a story to tell or do you know someone who does? The Old Orchard Beach Historical Society's Oral History Project is seeking interviewees willing to share their past and present experiences as members of our community.  To date, over twenty people have been interviewed and the results are available to the public in the research room of the Harmon Museum. 

Oral history is the collection and recording of living people's accounts of their own life experiences. During an oral history interview, the oral historian records these accounts (through written notes and sometimes audio and video recordings) and attempts to place them in an accurate historical context for use by future generations and later scholars. Be a part of this important and exciting project! 

For more information, email project directors Jaynie Flaherty or Evelyn Cooper or telephone the Harmon Museum office at 207-934-9319.   

(Painting above left: "Homecoming Marine" by Norman Rockwell.)