Poland Spring Preservation Society

The Society was founded by Jim Aikman, a WMTW-TV news director, after he covered the story of the disastrous fire of the Poland Spring House, July 3, 1975. He saw the total destruction of that landmark, and the rapid deterioration of various other surrounding buildings due to lack of repairs, maintenance, and interest. The Poland Spring property since 1941 had been owned by various banks and investment companies that had shown little interest in preserving the past. Jim felt that the area thereby was losing a worthwhile and valuable part of its history and thus he formed our society.

Our Society maintains two buildings, both on the National Register of Historic Sites - the Maine State Building and the All Souls Chapel, both with their own histories:

The Maine State Building represented the State of Maine at the Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, where the Rickers visited it on a trip there to receive an award for the excellence of their Poland Spring Water. When they were told the building would be torn down after the Exposition, they made an offer to purchase it and brought it back to Maine.

The All Souls Chapel, completed in 1912, has its own fascinating history. Much of the "help" (chambermaids, waitresses, laundry workers) came from Ireland, and there was no local Catholic Church, so the idea of an all faiths chapel crystallized, with the hotel guests contributing. In fact, the first wedding celebrated there was that of the daughter of a long time guest (the former Vice President Hannibal Hamlin), and many others have followed. We have weddings scheduled for most weekends,  May through beginning of October.

There are two other entities on Ricker Hill, and we are all involved with the preservation of its historic aspects.

The Water Company has completed a remarkable renovation of old Spring House, the Bottling Plant, and one of the Warehouse buildings. These historic buildings are now known as Preservation Park and are opened to the public free of charge. The source building is totally restored into what guests would have experienced in 1907. The Bottling Plant is divided into three sections. On the first floor you can view interactive displays of the geology of water and its sources with a climate display. Also, there is fascinating memorabilia and a time line of Poland Spring. Currently staff are planning for the addition of an environmental education center to be housed in the building with classroom space and opportunities for school children and teachers to learn more about water science and environmental sustainability.  

The Poland Spring Resort complex has many historic sites, which under Mel and Cyndi Robbins' auspices have been restored into a thriving low cost vacation resort. The Presidential Inn, numerous cottages, and the Golf Course all carry memories of when this area was in its heyday as one of the world renowned resorts on the East Coast some hundred years ago. where the Rockefellers, the Coolidge's, Charles Lindberg, Walter Hagan, Babe Ruth, and more. Come visit and we will tell you more about the resorts famous guest.

We hope this brief rundown has given you a taste of what awaits you on Ricker Hill, Poland Spring, and that you will come and visit us.