Revolutionary War Connections

Maine Public Television premiered the documentary, The American Revolution this week. The six-part, 12-hour documentary series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, which wraps up on Friday evening, follows dozens of Revolutionary War era figures from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Bridgton is home to the Molly Ockett Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), whose members descend from Revolutionary War Patriots like those highlighted in the documentary. The chapter promotes historic preservation, education, and patriotism in the Lake Region. Its recent initiatives include giving an age-appropriate book on the American Revolution to each second- and third-grade student at Stevens Brook Elementary School, placing and stocking a children’s book box at the playground near the police station, helping to restore the Bell Hill Meeting House in Otisfield, sponsoring the America 250! Traveling exhibit with the Bridgton Historical Society, and recognizing area student good citizens. The chapter also celebrates and honors the service and sacrifice of the Revolutionary War Patriots who settled in the Lake Region after the Revolution. Some of these Patriots became integral members of the Bridgton community, such as John Peabody and John Kilborn.