Welcome to the Bath Historical Society
Gas Stations on Vine Street prior to the viaduct being built
BHS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting interest in the history and heritage of Bath, Maine: The City of Ships. Our headquarters are in the Sagadahoc History and Genealogy Room on the second floor of the Patten Free Library at 33 Summer Street in Bath. We provide financial and volunteer support to the History Room, collect photographs, documents and ephemera related to Bath, and present programs about people, places and events in Bath history. We invite you to join us in exploring our rich heritage on this website, at our programs and in the History Room.
Bath Historical Society Mission Statement
“To support the Sagadahoc History and Genealogy Room of the Patten Free Library and conduct historical research and educational programs which help preserve the history of Bath, Maine.”
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Annual Meeting: Saturday, April 15th, 2023, 10:30am at the Patten Free Library
All BHS members and the general public are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Bath Historical Society on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at the Patten Free Library.
The program will include a presentation from Dr. James Wilberg, the author of, “Sumner Sewall: Maine’s First World War Fighter Ace.” His book takes us through Sewall’s experience as he joined the Army Signal Corps and then flew with the 95th Aero Squadron, where he survived the harrowing experience of being shot down in flames to then achieve acedom.
Sumner Sewall was born and raised, lived and died in Bath. He was a grandson of Arthur Sewall, the head of the prolific Sewall shipbuilding firm in Bath. After serving in World War I, Sumner Sewall went on to have a career in aviation business, and served as Governor of Maine during World War II.
Jim Wilberg (pictured at right) has been interested in the history of aviation for as long as he can remember. He focuses on early aviation history through the First
World War, with an additional interest in aviation art. At present, he has had 12 books published; 3 are now sold out of their initial printing. After approximately 4,000 babies and 38 years of clinical practice, Jim recently retired from his practice in obstetrics and gynecology.
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BHS Products!
The 2023 Bath Historical Society calendar is now available! Look for it at Mockingbird Bookshop, Wilson’s Drug Store, the Library Bookstore, Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine, the Bath Sweet Shoppe, the Patten Free Library’s Circulation Desk and Sagadahoc History and Genealogy Room, and the Cemetery Office. Or follow the “Purchase 2023 Calendar” link below to order online.
Newly Published – Order Now!
Over 180 pages of information on the Bath Customs District and the various Custom Houses and officers of Bath. Containing a wealth of information and stories of interest to local historians, Maritime enthusiast, or those interested in the history of maritime trade. Written by Nathan R. Lipfert