ABOUT US
Poland Spring Preservation Society was
founded in 1976 as a result of the vision of Jim Aikman. Jim was a news director
for WMTW, which at the time was in the basement of the Presidential Inn. After
the disastrous fire that consumed the Poland Spring House and witnessing the
years of neglect of the historic property – Jim brought together like minded
individuals who would be interested in preserving what was left. In 1977, Saul
Feldman, the owner of the Poland Spring Resort, gave the Preservation Society
ownership of the Maine State Building and All Souls Chapel.
The Society is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit
organization that is dedicated to the preservation of the Maine State Building
and All Souls Chapel in Poland Spring, both listed on the National Registry of
Historic Places. The Society's other objectives include offering educational
programming for school children and the general public, preserving the rich
heritage of Poland Spring, providing low cost entertainment to the community
through their annual summer concert series, art shows and other programming
activities as well as creating opportunities for the engagement and
collaboration of individuals from various backgrounds and generations.
The Society operations are directed by a
fifteen member volunteer board and several staff members.
The Officers of PSPS
President, John Ricker
Durham Maine “With a name of Ricker you must be involved. What started as a family obligation has grown into a love for family history and helping others and self. I have found the road to personal satisfaction is paved with good deeds and service to others.” Vice-President, Michael Caouette
Mike has grown up in the shadow of the Poland Spring Resort his entire life. His family owned the Wayside Inn which was frequented by many of the employees of the resort and Mike vividly remembers some of the memorable events at Poland Spring including the taping of Route 66 and the Poland Spring House fire. Mike joined the board in the mid-nineties and has served as vice-president for several years. Secretary: Gigi Lee
Treasurer: Steve Kinney
Originally from Winthrop, Steve is a graduate of the University of Maine, Auburn University and Tufts University Veterinary School. He has lived in Poland for the last 20 years and enjoys traveling, gardening, swimming, horseback riding and real estate. “I became a PSPS member when asked by Cyndi Robbins. I have always had an interest in history and preservation, and also have worked on keeping open space and farmland as part of that effort. I have been a member of PSPS for the last 2 years, and have recently become treasurer. I think our mission to preserve as well as promote the history of such a interesting corner of our state is one of true importance.” Board of Directors
Michael Bartley
Mike has resided in Casco for 35 years. He is a marketing communications professional with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University. Mike interests include religion, coaching springboard and platform diving, writing, photography, golf, tennis, fishing and the Great Outdoors. He has been married for 38 years, has two grown sons and three grandchildren. Mike has been a PSPS board member since 2007 and a Poland Spring Country Club member since 1976 “Life is short, enjoy it and help others enjoy it too.” Ron Dyer
William Eldridge
Linda Goodwin
Linda is originally from Kingston NH and graduated from the Sanborn Seminary in Kingston. She has resided in Poland since 1975 and has been involved with the Preservation Society since 1992. She has served as a docent, board member, administrative assistant, wedding coordinator, gift shop manager and is our most prized sponsorship coordinator! Linda and her husband have four daughters, 5 granddaughters, 5 grandsons and Wiley Coyote a 2 year old Pomeranian. She loves to travel, scrapbooking and other crafts and enjoys collecting rocks and historical memorabilia. Linda is involved “to preserve the MSB and ASC buildings and history and share the rich history of the Maine State Building and the 1893 Columbian Worlds Fair.” She also believes “it is very important to share the history with school children.” Bob Joncas
Bob resides on Ricker Hill in Poland Spring with his wife, Suzanne, and their three children. He began working for Cyndi and Mel Robbins in 1982 and returned after a few years in the Army during the resort season working in many positions. Growing up in the area, Bob became interested in the history of Poland Spring when he read various articles in local newspapers about the resort prior to the Poland Spring House fire in 1975. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and a Master's in Education, both from the University of Southern Maine. He joined the board of directors in 2007. Martha Littlefield
Martha is a native of Maine and has lived in various towns within the state. She settled in Poland almost 20 years ago. She enjoys collecting postcards, going to auctions and flea markets and her camp on Thompson Lake. Martha has been involved in several other organizations including serving as a trustee for Poland Community Church and Ricker Memorial Library, as well as holding positions on these boards. Martha has been interested in protecting Maine history for a number of years and is a supporter of the Maine Historical Society, a lifetime member of the PSPS, and a founding member of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. Martha was the primary force behind the development of the Poland afghan, which raised money for Poland Community Church, PSPS and Poland Historical Society. She is a new member of the PSPS Board, having joined in Spring 09. “PSPS's buildings and their heritage are among the area's finest treasures. I feel privileged to help promote them for the young and the old, for those from near and far, and to work to preserve them and their legacy for generations to come.” Pat Nash
Cyndi Robbins
Cyndi came to work for Saul Feldman at Poland Spring as a waitress in 1971. Before then, she summered at Middle Range Pond at her family’s camp. When Mel Robbins took over operating the resort in 1972, the two quickly struck up a romance and they were married in the dining room of the Maine Inn in 1975 – shortly before the Poland Spring House fire. Cyndi and Mel bought the resort from the Feldmans in 1982 and transformed the resort. Cyndi joined the board as a director in the mid-nineties and has served on its executive committee and an all around creative talent for many years. Cyndi lives in Poland Spring (go figure) with her four dogs and her dozens of Poland Spring family members! Jon Skinner
“Born in Lewiston I spent my childhood summers at Thompson Lake and became a full time resident of Poland in 1973. Being a history buff I began volunteering at PSPS in the late 1970s and joined the board in the eighties. The many stories of Ricker Hill continue to hold my interest and I enjoy being part of the evolving history of Poland Spring and the PSPS.” STAFF
Executive Director: Jason C. Libby
Jason started working for the Preservation Society in 2007 where he has an opportunity to work closely with the Education Team of Poland Spring Water and also work with the Resort. He has a BA in History/Political Science and M. Ed. Higher Education Administration from the University of Maine. He formerly worked as an associate dean of students at a university in New York before returning to Maine. He enjoys history, government, land and water conservation, writing and research, gardening and most importantly family. Jason has become completely amazed at the rich history here at Poland Spring that is intertwined with the state and nation. He lives in New Gloucester with his wife, two sons and dog. Administrative Assistant/Gift Shop: Linda Goodwin Bookkeeper: Kay Pinkham Kay has been working as our bookkeeper for the past two years and brings a wealth of experience working in non-profits and the business community. She has two daughters and volunteers with several community organizations as well as working with the African refugee community in the Auburn-Lewiston area. |
