Welcome to a lovely Maine spring or it will be when you read this Ruggles' newsletter.

The new herb garden, named in honor of Mary Ruggles Chandler, who collected herbs to use in her pharmacy (1906-1945), is showing green from the perennial antique herbs that have been planted there. The new sign is waiting to be put out, along with the sundial. In the rock garden, on the other side of the steps that lead to the basement space, the dianthus and dwarf phlox are spilling over the rocks in a green wave. The new landscaping is growing each year. The roses and shrubbery survived the winter and so did the House.

Inside the House, the front hall and flying staircase have been refurbished with plaster repair and new paint. Also, the dining room ceiling is repaired and painted as well as the west bedroom floor. We need to do some of these maintenance projects each year. Outside painting will also continue later.

Work on the Ruggles book by Roger Reed has been completed finally and we are ready to offer it to the public. Thanks to Studio 3 in Ellsworth for the publishing and Steve Balyeat of Deep Logic Digital Arts for many of the photographs, we now have a book on the Ruggles House. Many photos were used from the archives, as well as those offered by Nancy Herr and Nancy McGinnis. Postcards of early Columbia Falls were loaned by Richard Grant and some furnished by Penobscot Marine Museum. Captions for photography were composed by Ellen Tenan, Ruggles Historian. Many members of the Society worked to make the book succeed. We have many people to thank. On reading it, we hope you will find it interesting and that you will have a better understanding of early Washington County life. The book is selling for $12.00 including sales tax. Shipping will cost an additional $2.25 if you wish to order it by mail. It will be offered for sale in the Ruggles House gift shop. It may be sent to you by contacting Ruggles House at P. O. Box 116, Columbia Falls, ME 04623 or from the Ruggles Society secretary at 298 Tenan Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622.

We have many interesting visitors to Ruggles House. This past summer, guests from England included a couple who had a connection to Spains Hall in Essex, England, an ancestral home of the Ruggles family. Your secretary received an email in the fall from the Lady Rosemary Ruggles-Brise of Spains Hall, remarking that it had been so interesting that her brother and his wife had visited Ruggles House and brought back all the information on the house. There were several features in our house that she mentioned were similar to their home, which her husband had inherited from his uncle and is open to the public and rented for weddings, etc. They have renovated the very large mansion and it can be viewed at www.spainshall.co.uk; it's worth a look. The conversation with the couple last summer and with Lady Ruggles-Brise was fascinating. The Ruggles genealogy shows a Samuel Ruggles of Spains Hall, Essex, born in 1718, who would have been a cousin of one of Thomas' ancestors. Our Thomas does not descend from the owner of Spains Hall, but is family. The name of Brise was added in 1827 by a descendant of Samuel. The Ruggles family continues to be a wonderful study.

The Christmas Tea was a festive affair, with the House decorated lavishly in live greens that would have been used in the 1800's. We have decorated the mantels and tables before but this last December the staircase was hung with garlands, red bows, and a large wreath. A small decorated tree adored the maple game table on the first landing. Our battery operated candles were in the windows as before. On the outside, each window had a wreath and each door a larger one. We have Worcester Wreath to thank for much of the greenery and wreaths. It made the House very special and a lovely sight for the townsfolk. Each year Charlie Herr brings back from Pennsylvania a variety of greens, so the smell is wonderful. Ora Aselton made old fashioned decorations to be used and Lynch Hill Farms gave cranberries to be strung. April Adams again furnished the large wreath for the front door. Refreshments were donated as well. Thank you to all these givers, as well as the decorating crew.

The Ruggles House lost a valued friend in February and we would like to pay tribute to him. Robert Coffin of Harrington had befriended the House for many years. Bob passed away at the age of 93 after a life of many accomplishments and varied interests. He was an expert in antique clocks and repaired many, including several at the House. Any time we had a clock given to us, he asked to take it home to be put in running order and he did at no charge. The lovely little wooden mantel clock that is now in the kitchen area was one of two given to us with other items for the new ell. Bob saw them on a visit shortly after we received them. One was good, but the other was "a piece of junk"; Bob spoke his mind and you knew exactly where you stood. But he still wanted to take them home and report back. Back they came and the "junk" was declared to be a fine Connecticut-made clock which had the wrong face attached to it; so it now had a proper face and pendulum, had been cleaned and was running fine. Bob's honesty was unquestionable. That little clock is a jewel and, with its ticking and hourly strike, adds a warm friendly sound to our country kitchen room. A Ruggles chair in the dining room was in bad shape, as the caning was sagging and the front rail of the seat was broken. Bob asked if he could take it and see what he could do. It came back several months later, with his apologies for taking so long. It looked, of course, as good as new, with repair to the rail and new caning. "No charge, it is my donation." he said. On another occasion, he spied an antique barometer in the front hall and asked about it. It had hung there for many years, an early donation to the House. "Did it work" "No it never had." was my reply. "Can I look at it?"; was his expected comment. We got it down and it went home with him. When he came back some weeks later, it had been repaired with a new glass tube and some veneer repair. With a twinkle in his eyes, he stated that it didn't work. My questioning look brought his prompt reply, "The tube needs to be filled with mercury and that's messy stuff, so we don't fool with it." All it needs is mercury which we won't fool with. Veneer repair, new brass nails for missing ones, advice on anything was offered gladly. As a frequent docent at the House, he chose to ask when I would be there and our visits were spirited, informative, and enjoyed by both. We shared a common interest and I shall miss his presence. His contributions to the Ruggles House were many and irreplaceable. Our condolences, to his wife, Eleanor, and his family, are sent with a joy from knowing him. May he rest in peace.

Museum Notes:
The museum will open on June 1st, as usual. The weekly schedule will be 9:30 to 4:30 weekdays and Saturday, with later opening at 12:00 to 4:30 on Sunday. July 4th and Labor Day we will be closed. The Annual Plant Sale will be Saturday, May 28th, 9:00 until noon or until the plants are all sold. The Ice Cream Social on July 10th, 1:00 to 3:00 and the Christmas Tea on December 4th, 1:00 to 4:00, are the other annual events. Please join us for one or all occasions. Columbia Falls residents are welcomed to the House at any time free of charge.

Please visit our web site at www.ruggleshouse.org ; which has links to other area museums of the Maine's Historic Bold Coast Group, that forms a trail from the Bar Harbor/ Ellsworth area to Eastport. We also have a working relationship with Fundy Culture, in the New Brunswick, Canada area. There is a lot to see not far from our area in this part of Washington County, Maine.

Reprinted from the (Bangor) Industrial Journal, May 13, 1892 --- The Machias Republican reports great commotion last Sunday along the banks of the Pleasant River. At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon there was seen what was at first supposed to be three Chilean gun-boats and a man-of-war, moving slowly up the river about a hundred feet apart. At first sight the natives seized whatever happened to be nearest, pitchfork or musket, struck for the woods and stayed until dusk, when they crept very cautiously home, and to their surprise and satisfaction found they were barges to take bricks to Boston. Historian's note: Yes, they made bricks in Columbia Falls at a brick yard below the bridge.

Enjoy your summer, Ellen Tenan