President - Carl Steller
Vice-president - Peter Prescott
Secretary - Patti Grillo
Treasurer - David Pearson
Director - Richard Whitney

Treasurer's report: The 2002-2003 fund drive raised $2,590 from 88 donors with 68 requesting membership. Contributions in memory of Carl Steller were $1,963. Five additional rooms were purchased at the Abbott Museum and other donations made for a total of over $67,000 for the project so far. Dave wrote an application for a rural development facilities grant, which we will receive in the amount of $16,750.00.

Director's report: In February the water pipe to the Millers House froze under the sidewalk and had to be dug up and thawed. Dwayne Fillmore painted the shingles on the south side of the house in August/September. He also replaced three windows in the Grist Mill barn area. Work on the Abbott Museum occupied untold hours by volunteers, contractors and the students at the Tri-County Technical Center. Rob Miller and crew started work in the fall removing clapboards, door and windows on the Church St. exterior and replacing them with the new double door and the two old style windows. He also put up foam insulation. The school students worked through the winter to remove old interior materials and to begin installation of sheetrock and V-match paneling. They also installed all the new windows and the new clapboards for the upper story, and constructed the entry ramp. Truman Seamans did electrical work, Galen Chapman began plumbing work and the sprinkler system was revamped. Flooring, lights and other finish materials were bought and will be installed after the foundation work is completed.

Museum report: The museums closed on September 28, 2002 with attendance of 1,344 and $3,800 in sales and donations. We opened on June 9, 2003 and have had attendance of over 1,900 with sales and donations of over $2,000. Maria Mountain returned for her fourth year as intern. Rick held school tours in June and September. Rick and Maria designed a new display on the history of the Abbott Mill and redesigned the new acquisitions display. Vern Bodwell made a cabinet for the slate sink. Two new Fernwood blocks were offered for sale, depicting the Spring St. and Pleasant St. schools.

We held a very successful all day Open House at the Abbott Museum on July 16, to give everyone a chance to see our current progress and future needs. We also participated in the town wide "Wild West Days" on August 1 and 2, staying open for the Cruise-In and having over 600 visitors.

Three displays were placed in the Millside Building window, featuring sales items at Christmas time, veterans of all wars during the winter/spring and a history of the Eastern Gazette in honor of their 150th anniversary. Mr. Paperback has leased the store, but we will continue to be able to use the window.

Acquisitions committee: There have been 83 collections so far, consisting of many items, which have all been cataloged. We paid $250 for the slate conference table from FayScott. We also received photos and paper information about the company from several donors.

Research and genealogy committee: 73 recorded queries have been responded to. Most come by email and concern genealogy information, with many requests made in person during the summer. We have added much information to our records and our French-Canadian materials are beginning to be used.

Publications committee: We printed an updated brochure with information on the Carr School and email and web address. A calendar for 2004 featuring the fire department was designed and will be printed soon. Rick and Carol gave assistance to Frank Spizuoco on his new book for Arcadia that will feature Ripley and five surrounding towns, to be out in November. We will have copies to sell.

Outreach committee: We used several types of print and visual media to promote awareness of our activities. Our website was initiated in the fall, the newsletter was sent, there was an article in the town report, we updated our entry in the new MAM directory, there were regular notices in the paper and special articles about our deed donation to the American Legion and the Abbott Museum Open House. Tillsons invited us to offer our sales items at their "Ladies Night", we had exhibits at the EXPO in Guilford and at the Affair of the Arts in Newport and two displays in the library. Frank Spizuoco mounted the Bert Call display at the Bangor Public Library for a month and gave a talk in January.

We hope he would be pleased with and proud of what we have accomplished so far, as we are humbled and proud to have received so much of his unselfish attention during the difficult last year of his life.