finding Joseph

Geneology.

We know Olive's parents were William Davis Hayden and Naomi (Lawrence) Hayden; William's parents were Jedidiah Hayden and Judith (Davis) Hayden, and we know many generations back from there in fact, beyond the Revolutionary War which Olive's greatgrandfather fought in, on to England. Lots and lots of Haydens

On it's history page, the Lakewood Theater website mentions "the homestead of Joseph Hayden" and this Hayden, well, I hadn't encountered yet. Thinking of the same website's mention of Jedediah Hayden's arrival by ox-cart from Gray, Maine...  and it not being the first time ox-carts have wound their way into these stories...  I dug a bit and found this info from the Gray Maine Historical Society: 

Joseph Hayden ( - 1842) was one of the first shoemakers in Gray.  He built a small one story shop (10-15sf).  It was well lighted by a hanging lamp and had a round woodstove in the center with an iron skillet setting inside the top in which he melted his wax.  These were for sewed shoes, the shoemaker using waxed thread with a needle on each end of the thread.  An awl was used to make the holes.  Someone quoted “he was a honest man, did his work well and put in no poor leather”. 

It makes sense of course, that they did additionally have cencus records of Jedidiah Hayden and his wife Judith (Davis) Hayden ; as well as David Hayden and his wife Betsy (Davis) Hayden.  Elsewhere in the records were Haydens Elisha, Richard Jr, and Jonathan, who, along with David, were indeed all brothers of Jedidiah; and all reasonably coming through Gray, but there was still no way to connect them to Joseph. This may be a good time to let it be known that Jedidiah had four other brothers: Enoch, Clement, Samuel, and Daniel [who moved here with his own young son named Enoch in 1812, as referenced in earlier blog posts] as well as three sisters, Sally, Mary, and Hannah.

And it was also noted in the Historical Society that Joseph married Abilgal Nash July 6, 1800.

I can tell you that there is indeed a Joseph Hayden on the same family tree: Jedidiah's brother Daniel (the same that moved to the land in 1812 with little Enoch in the bunch) had a son named Daniel Richard Hayden, who then had a son named Joseph Warren Hayden, born in 1860 and passed away in 1936.(his decendents still in the area)  But he wasn't one of the ox-cart travelers, and wasn't a beloved shoemaker of Gray, Maine.

I'm still looking for my shoemaker, whoever he might have been.

memoribilia

One of my favorite things about having so many places here on Olive Street is having so many walls to hang some of my Lakewood Theater memorbilia. My collection ranges from the 1920's forward, and finally I get to share some of it with other fans of the Theater and history.

traveling theater

Left over from some of my Storyteller Moon gigs, we have this fantastic theater on wheels; it folds and unfolds, has stage doors and even old fashioned candle-powered footlights for performances at dusk. Though it's a bit tall, it tows easily behind a car or truck. It's quite fun!

I think it will find a happy new home here on Olive Street somewhere...  I don't intend to start teaching (or performing) again myself, but I think it would be fun for the community to use!  
 

remodeling the Hayden Brook Camp in my mind

What the place needs is a giant porch/sunroom across the front facing the brook. And a kitchen remodel. And skylights upstairs.

These are the things I think about to occupy my mind some times. Other times it's moving furniture around. Also in my mind.

That piano we were gifted a few weeks ago has now found it's home here...instead of in the Dance Hall at the Tower House as planned. Pianos, you see, are very heavy and the logistics of moving one into particular spaces may make for changes in plans. Just go with the flow.

chair

Acquired this beautiful, lush, mauve-colored antique chair from the recent Lakewood Theater fundraiser, and am in love. (I have a thing for chairs) 

This is a real piece of theater history! I wonder what productions it graced the stage in? Who sat in it? 

It will find it's Olive Street home in the Perkins House, as I do believe it fits the decor

non versus not for profit

It's been suggested that we get official, so I've been doing lots and lots of reading and research, looking at how others have accomplished similar goals without going broke when they are first getting started! Though we relate to statements in both categories, it looks like eventually if we do any paperwork, we will do the paperwork to operate as a not-for-profit. But for now, until others find their way to us and get involved, we are funding this ourselves. So please see my little "peddler links" in the righthand sidebar if you want to contribute even a tiny amount by making a related purchase. And the tea room at the Sugar Tree does accept tips!

In case you are wondering what the differences are between the two, there are four main bullet points:

• - Nonprofits are formed explicitly to benefit the public good; not-for-profits exist to fulfill an owner’s organizational objectives.
• - Nonprofits can have a separate legal entity; not-for-profits cannot have a separate legal entity.
• - Nonprofits run like a business and try to earn a profit, which does not support any single member; not-for-profits are considered “recreational organizations” that do not operate with the business goal of earning revenue.
• - Nonprofits may have employees who are paid, but their paychecks do not come through fundraising; not-for-profits are run by volunteers.

the Hayden Brook camp

Because it is right upon the brook, we are presently calling it "the Hayden Brook camp" but eventually maybe we'll find it another name. 

At number 18 Olive, this camp sits across from the beautiful land at the Perkins House and is backed along Hayden Brook. So far we have noticed a very abundant supply of blueberries growing along the shed, and, of course, that the neighbor's incredible flowers' fragrance carries right in the door!

This will be another "artist in residence" cottage.  

the Perkins House

We are so proud to have added the Perkins House to our Olive Street spaces! This cheerfull white cottage sits right on the very end curve of Olive Street at number 15, and has a fantastically large yard that is going to be great for gardens, or mini outdoor concerts/performances, or both!!! Visitors won't help but notice the neighbor's beautiful flowers growing! 

Unlike the Tower House, which we hope will be a true community living and work space, the Perkins House will be for an artist in residence. Beginning next year, and for each year thereafter, we will be looking for an artist (and thier family) to apply to spend an entire summer season, and in exchange for housing we will ask that they share thier craft, whatever it might be, with the community by means of offering lessons, creating an installment, or perhaps giving performances. 

This house is another piece of Lakewood Theater history.  Charles F. Perkins was a very renowned and longtime (from 1912-1955) scenic designer at Lakewood.  His son, James, was an actor in several productions from 1932 - 1940. We purchased the house from James' daughter Barbara.

It will be decorated in the spirit of these eras and we hope to transport the residents of it back to a simpler time...you'll find no microwave or WiFi service here!

our Olive Street

Here is our little map of where we are on Olive Street, all marked in blue

on Olive Street: in pandemic

It was a long winter, and springtime goes towards summer, but the world around us is still moving slowly, finding it's way.

At this time walls are being painted, flowers planted, tea cups and furniture are being organized at the Sugar Tree Cottage. With many variables to consider in deciding in what capacity we be will open, if at all, we are quite sure there will be no artist openings or live music events, and we are also not scheduling any classes or tea tastings, but may later offer occasional "porch front" pick up of pre-packaged teas and other items.

We find ourselves continuing to also paint and plan in the Tower House, and Swampy, and we are very proud to say that a garden has now been planted and is growing well (thanks to helpful volunteers) at the Tower House, and two raised beds have gone in elsewhere on Olive Street!

We also have been gifted an upright piano, so by the 2021 season we hope to connect with someone who would be interested in offering lessons, and perhaps someone for voice.

Painting, planting and planning indeed, as in addition to the piano we've done a little extra procuring too... and have made the purchase of two more camps on Olive Street!! This is very exciting, as the vision for Olive Street is being expanded! There will be more space available for artists to use as studio space or retreat, more instructional workshop space, and more flower and vegetable gardens!

Indeed more painting, planting and planning, but we don't mind! Thrilling to think that with hard work it may be as soon as next year that we may be able to begin an "in residence" programs for writers, artists, theater people & their families at our camps!