05/31/2026
For immediate release:
Bridgton Historical Society Collaboration and opening day announcement:
Good afternoon everyone! We are pleased to announce in partnership with Bridgton Historical Society the Grand Opening of the Methodist Church Museum and B&SR Railroad Museum at 4:30 PM on the 3rd of July 2026 in Bridgton! The new museum is located at 214 Main St in Bridgton.
With just weeks to go before opening the 1869 Methodist Church museum on Main Street, BHS has offered us exhibit space in the newly renovated church basement, a room that has welcomed community for over 150 years. We accepted the offer, and work was underway within hours of the agreement. The B&SRR Museum celebrates the glorious era of the “two-footer” that operated from Hiram to Bridgton, and eventually Harrison.
“We are very pleased to announce our partnership with the Bridgton Historical Society and the opportunity to exhibit at the Methodist Church in Bridgton!” said B&SRR Vice President Adam Cook. “BHS has very graciously offered us not only a temporary home for our organization to help us get on our feet, but a unique opportunity to put several B&SR/Bridgton & Harrison collections together under one roof for display and research purposes. This outreach and mutually beneficial agreement make the combined BHS and B&SR RR Museum collections one of, if not the, most complete historical collection of records of the Bridgton Narrow Gauge”.
“This collaboration supports the mission of both organizations; to increase an appreciation of Bridgton’s place in history” said Bridgton Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Cushing. “They have some amazing items in their collection, and they have such passion about their mission. This is great for Bridgton”.
BHS President Jon Evans feels that this was meant to be. “Life plays out in unexpected ways and the timing for both organizations could not have been better. I am so impressed with the character of this group, their knowledge and their dedication to community. They have pledged volunteers and demonstrate endless enthusiasm. I am very much caught up in what they have accomplished, and their collection is terrific! They will be a wonderful addition to our museum”
We look forward to our Grand Opening and invite all who can make it to attend! Following our July 3rd Grand Opening we will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM with other special events and hours. We of course also look forward to many future collaborative educational and special events with BHS moving forward!
Yesterday we had volunteers helping paint and started setting up our office and archives at the new location!
We cannot thank Bridgton Historical Society enough for the opportunity and of course our own supporters that have helped us make it this far!
Sincerely,
The B&SR Railroad Museum Board of Directors
