Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum
Description
The schoolhouse in Pembroke was part of the "English Village" constructed by the Pembroke Ironworks Co. for its English employees, who immigrated to work in the mill.
In addition to the school, the village also consisted of a mansion for the "Ironmaster," the company’s resident agent; 15 homes for workers, a Methodist-Episcopal Church, a Catholic chapel, a bank, and a company store.
As of 2013, only one of the workers’ homes and the Methodist Church survive. The English men who came to work in the Iron Works were mostly Methodists and until the church was dedicated in 1863, they met at the Ironworks schoolhouse to read John Wesley’s sermons.
A history of the church, written in the 1930s, states: "These English men and women were wonderful singers and the Old Methodist revival hymns were sung. There were many to oppose these noisy Shouting Methodists so full of the spirit. Finally the school committee closed the doors. Though the times looked dark, yet it turned out for the best as seven of the English brothers…agreed to make an effort to build a church. In April 1861 they met to form a Board and elected officers to begin the work at once."
About This Item
- Title: Iron Works School House, Pembroke, ca. 1910
- Creation Date: circa 1910
- Subject Date: circa 1910
- Location: Pembroke, Washington County, ME
- Media: Glass Negative
- Dimensions: 12.75 cm x 17.75 cm
- Local Code: LB2007.1.109123
- Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Mines and mineral resources--Maine--Pembroke
- Methodists--Maine--Pembroke
- Mills--Maine--Pembroke
- Schools--Maine--Pembroke
- Postcards--Maine
- Photographs--Maine
- British Americans--Maine--Pembroke
- Bell towers--Maine--Pembroke
- Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company
- Buildings--Maine--Pembroke
- Iron-works--Maine--Pembroke
- Methodist churches--Maine--Pembroke
- Mineral industries--Maine--Pembroke
For more information about this item, contact:
Penobscot Marine MuseumPO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
Website
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