The scenic Upper Kennebec Valley has played an important role in the history of Maine.

Long-frequented by Native Americans, this area was settled year-round after Benedict Arnold's ill-fated 1775 expedition to Quebec. The earliest settlers found great natural resources in the woods, lakes, and the river and moved in to set the stage for this area's future. The images in The Upper Kennebec Valley show life in the area from the earliest days of photography through the 1950s. You see the area's growth and development, and its people at work and play. Examining these pages, you will see early loggers; intrepid river drivers braving log jams and swift currents to get their wood to market; hunters and fishermen, long drawn to the area; and families going about their daily business. You will also see the results of disastrous fires and floods, as well as the parades, picnics, and other occasions that brought local people together.