[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            FRYEBURG, MAINE

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President. I rise today to commemorate the 250th 
anniversary of the Town of Fryeburg, ME, the first town established in 
the beautiful White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. The same 
spirit of determination and resiliency that carved a community out of 
the wilderness two and a half centuries ago still guides Fryeburg 
today.
  In 1763, the Seven Years' War between France and Great Britain for 
control of North America ended with a resounding British victory. In 
recognition of his courageous service, GEN Joseph Frye, an American-
born militia commander, was rewarded with a homestead grant in the 
White Mountains region. He chose the place where the great Saco River 
tumbles from the mountains on its journey to the sea, a place of vast 
forests and fertile farmland. That first settlement of seven lots soon 
grew into a thriving town, incorporated in 1777 and named in General 
Frye's honor.
  That first settlement was built on the foundation laid a half century 
before by another early American hero, CPT John Lovewell. His valiant 
deeds to secure the colonies' northern frontier--including the 
legendary Battle of the Pond in 1725--were celebrated by such authors 
as Longfellow, Hawthorne, and Thoreau. From those long ago days to the 
present, the Veterans Honor Roll in Bradley Park memorializes the more 
than 1,200 patriots from Fryeburg who have served our Nation in times 
of peril.
  As the town of Fryeburg became a bustling center of industry with 
lumber and grain mills, the townspeople invested their prosperity in 
education and in 1792 established Fryeburg Academy, one of America's 
oldest preparatory schools. Among the academy's first teachers was 
Daniel Webster, before he began his remarkable career as a statesman in 
the U.S. Senate and as America's Secretary of State. Fryeburg's 
connection to the world of ideas was strengthened in 1997 when the 
International Musical Arts Institute was established, bringing world-
class musicians and conservatory students together every summer for 
concerts that enrich the community.
  The coming of the railroads in the mid-19th century made Fryeburg, 
with its spectacular scenery, mountain breezes, and pristine waters, a 
favorite destination for city dwellers escaping the summer heat. Among 
those who found their way to Fryeburg during that era was the legendary 
Arctic explorer Robert Peary, who sharpened his navigation skills while 
surveying the town as a young civil engineer. Today, visitors and 
residents alike enjoy Fryeburg's many quiet parks, beautifully 
maintained historic buildings, and exciting outdoor recreation 
opportunities. The annual Fryeburg Fair, Maine's largest agricultural 
exhibition, keeps the town's origins and traditions alive.
  The celebration of Fryeburg's 250th anniversary is not merely about 
the passing of time. It is about human accomplishment. We celebrate the 
people who, for longer than America has been a nation, have pulled 
together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to 
those who came before, Fryeburg, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to 
those there today, it has a bright future.

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