BANGOR — Earlier this year, when fourth-graders from two Bangor schools were creating a children’s book about Bangor’s Great Fire of 1911, there was a problem — so many drawings and so few pages available.
That’s when the Bangor Historical Society and the Maine Discovery Museum, who partnered on the book project, decided to find a way to showcase the hundreds of drawings so the community could see all of the children’s contributions.
“The kids worked so hard on this project and we wanted to share their work with the community,” Bangor Historical Society Executive Director Melissa Gerety said. “We contacted The First and asked if they would help us produce a student art show. Thankfully, they signed on as our sponsor and Bangor Mall found us space in Center Court.”
Each of the pieces submitted by the students is on display at Center Court in Bangor Mall now through July 31.
The art was created as part of the “What Minerva Saw” book project. The project resulted in the production of a children’s book based on what students thought Minerva, a ship’s figurehead on an Exchange Street building, saw during the fire.
The book was written and illustrated by the students. Copies of the book are available for purchase at the Maine Discovery Museum and the Bangor Historical Society for $5 each. Books also may be ordered by emailing info@bangorhistoricalsociety.org.
The Bangor Historical Society and Thomas A. Hill House Museum is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 942-1900 or visit bangorhistoricalsociety.org for information.