Charles Byron Smith Jr. (1919–2011) and Julia “Alice” Smith (1919–2009) were retired school teachers who lived and farmed in Orono, Maine. They are widely known for their community involvement and contribution of the Blacksmith Shop to the Page Farm and Home Museum. Charlie and Alice met while students at the 91±¬ÁÏ. They were married for 67 years and raised their family on their 200-acre farm in Hermon. After retirement, they moved back to Charlie’s hometown in Orono, continuing to farm on Charlie’s family farm.

In 2003, to solve a space problem at the Museum, Charlie and Alice purchased a 14 x 32 Amish building for the Page Museum to relocate its Blacksmith Shop exhibit to. It was a wonderful and timely gift that allowed the museum to make the blacksmith exhibit more visible and open up some much-needed storage space in the basement of the Experiment Station Barn. This was carried out as part of the project to construct the Winston E. Pullen Carriage House. The exhibit serves an integral role in our presentation of rural and farm life in Maine. We use the exhibit often during school tours, programs, and events.

After 23 years of serving the Museum well, the building needs a new roof and permanent foundation. The Blacksmith Shop has weathered decades of many Maine seasons, and now we need your help. By supporting the building renovation, you’ll help preserve the historic building that Charlie and Alice once generously gifted the University.

Join us in strengthening this cornerstone of Maine’s farm heritage and help hammer home the final pieces of this restoration project with a gift today, helping us reach our $30,000 goal.

Scan the QR code above or visit our to donate!

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The Museum’s historic buildings, though beautiful, retain heat during hot summer days. For the safety of guests and our staff, the Museum closes when the heat index is above 95 degrees, which means internal temperatures can be significantly higher. On hot, humid days, please call the Museum at 207-581-4100 to ensure it is open.

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