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Named after General Joseph Frye, Fryeburg is the oldest town in the White Mountain region of western Maine. Once a major Abenaki Indian village known as Pequawket, which means "crooked place," Fryeburg is now both a year-round resort area and an academic town. If you're planning to visit this quaint New England town, book a charming Fryeburg bed and breakfast and enjoy recreational activities on the lakes, rivers and national forest lands surrounding the locale. When it's time to head indoors or wind down in a park, visit these BBonline recommended museums and attractions.
Fryeburg Historical Society Museum & Genealogy Center
511 Main Street
Fryeburg, Maine 04037
(207) 935-4192
Housed in the first Registry of Deeds for Oxford County, The Fryeburg Historical Society Museum is not only historically important; it is likewise architecturally significant as it is an unusual representation of Greek Revival style. On December 30, 1987, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. At the Genealogy Center, visitors can trace their family's lineage through a microfilm collection, town records, books and computers. The library is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 12 noon, Thursdays from 1 pm to 4 pm and other times by appointment.
Fryeburg Fair Farm Museum
Route 5
Fryeburg, Maine 04037
(207) 935-3268
www.fryeburgfair.com/Museum/Museumhist06.html
The Fryeburg Fair Farm Museum opened in the fall of 1971 with Harry Eastman as its first curator. The museum exhibits memorabilia representing the crafts and early industries of the New England district. Among those portrayed are home-making, lumbering, farming, blacksmithing, leather tanning, cobbler and harness making, quarrying, beekeeping, ice cutting, carpentry, potash making, wheelwright trades, maple syrup and sugar production. Visit them from your Fryeburg inn and learn something new as the museum offers trade and craft demonstrations, which include blacksmithing, cider pressing, chair caning, beekeeping, butter making, milk separating, candle making, old-fashioned clothes washing, spinning, treadle sewing, barn loom weaving, quilting and needlework.
Fryeburg Public Library
515 Main Street
Fryeburg, Maine 04037
(207) 935-2731
www.mainelibraries.com/main/spotlights/20
Located in an 1832 stone schoolhouse, the Fryeburg Public Library aims to "maintain a strong partnership with the community; encourage the culture of education and learning; and promote the pleasure of reading for all ages." Originally known as the Fryeburg Woman's Library Club, the library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Aside from being home to a unique collection of Hopalong Cassidy author Clarence Mulford's works, it provides the community activities such as a children's music program, story time and senior citizen events.
Fryeburg Public Parks
Of the 12 public parks Fryeburg maintains, three are historic sites. Some of these parks feature open spaces perfect for picnicking or bird watching. Others have walking trails and facilities for tennis, fishing and swimming. During the summer months, concerts are held in a number of locations throughout these parks. An ideal way to see the town's public spaces is by taking the bike tour, which starts at Weston's Beach and continues over lightly traveled paths to 9 other parks.
- Graustein Park on Fairview Drive
- Bradley Park on Main Street
- Admiral Peary Park on Main Street
- Meridian Stone on Main Street
- Weston's Beach on River Road
- Canal Bridge on Route 5
- Joseph Frye Homestead on Route 5
- Stark's Hill Rest Area on Main Street
- Brownfield Bog Access Facility on Routes 5 and 302
- Skillings-Newman Memorial Park on Old Mill Road
- Eastman Grove on Portland Street
- Town Forest and Nature Area on Route 5