On July 15, the Hampden Historical Society was honored to host the Hampden Recreation Department’s K-5 summer camp for a fun look at history as it pertained to their town of Hampden. The campers and counselors arrived on a bus from Reeds Brook, with the younger group in the morning and the older group in the afternoon.  They were then treated to tours of the Kinsley House, the Trolley Hut, the Hannibal Hamlin Law Office and the Carriage House.  They were able to hear stories about life hundreds of years ago and saw many different items from various historical eras.  After learning about what a chamber pot was, the children heard the story of Mrs. Kinsley and her helper girls in the house dumping the full pots out the second-floor window onto the British soldiers who were trying to take over the Kinsley House during the War of 1812! They were able to try lifting the irons used to press clothes many years ago; see the swamp shoes that horses wore so they didn’t sink when hauling logs; learn that Hampden had a trolley line that went to an entertainment and amusement venue, Riverside Park, from 1898 to 1916; and found out that a real Vice President of the United States, Hannibal Hamlin, lived and worked right here in Hampden. They all enjoyed getting to look through a stereoscope, which families used for entertainment; wondered at how small people’s feet were as they saw the shoes from long ago; and inquired as to how people used the different telephones on display that do not look at all like our modern-day phones!  The campers did a great job as they checked off items in a scavenger-type hunt ending with prizes. Everyone had popsicles before boarding the bus back to Reeds Brook. Thanks to Ellyn for providing the cool treat along with Jean, Karen, Storie and Steve as HHS tour leaders. We really enjoyed the children and their counselors, as they exuded enthusiasm and positive energy, asked a myriad of questions and displayed good behaviors.  We thank Jill McLaughlin, the recreation director, for contacting us to provide this look at history right here in Hampden, Maine!