University of New England

UNE students re-create history with Saco Museum exhibit

BIDDEFORD, Maine -  The University of New England Department of History has collaborated with the Dyer Library/Saco Museum to create a fascinating exhibition titled "Mary Bean: The Factory Girl or the Victim of Seduction," on display through May 24, 2008.

The exhibition was created by 15 UNE students and is based upon UNE Associate Professor Elizabeth De Wolfe’s recently published book The Murder of Mary Bean and Other Stories, an examination of the death of factory girl Berengera Caswell (a/k/a Mary Bean).  

In the Fall 2007 semester Andrea Cochrane, Saco Museum director, and Elizabeth De Wolfe, UNE associate professor of history, team-taught a course in which 15 UNE students learned about museums and public history through the design and development of an exhibition about the Mary Bean story. 

Seven students continued to work with the museum spring semester 2008, earning course credits through internships or the citizenship course to install the exhibition, develop and manage programs, and assist with school tours. The exhibition opened the eveniing of Feb. 28 with a gala reception.

Using the story of Berengera Caswell’s life and death, the exhibition explores several topics, including the changing role of women; competing medical practice and philosophies; the evolution of the criminal justice process; and sensationalism in the press. Newspaper accounts, textile artifacts, ladies’ accessories and numerous other items will be used to tell Berengera’s story. 

The exhibit team of 15 students, who represent a diversity of majors across UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences, created the entire exhibit: selecting the exhibition themes, designing the exhibition space, choosing artifacts, writing museum panels and installing the exhibit.

Museum Information

The Saco Museum is located at 371 Main Street (Route 1) in historic downtown Saco, Maine. Parking is available in the lot between the museum and Dyer Library. 

The museum is open:  Noon - 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and Noon - 8 p.m. on Thursday.  Museum admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students and children (ages 6 - 18), and children under 6 are free. 

The Museum is open free of charge on Thursday evenings from 4 - 8 p.m.  Free admission for DL/SM card holders and their guests. Special rates available for group tours.  Please call 283-3861 x114 in advance to make arrangements for a group of 8 or more.  For directions, contact the Saco Museum at (207) 283 - 3861 or visit www.dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org.  

Sponsors of the exhibition include De Wolfe & Wood Rare Books, The Kent State University Press, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution and the University of New England.

(Press release updated March 4, 2008)