The men and women of Wells and Ogunquit rose to defend their newly settled homeland from the mid 1600s throughout the early 1700s. Before the end of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read in town churches at the close of religious services. The militia was called to service. Over 600 soldiers, sailors, and patriots from Wells served in the American Revolution, forty of whom were at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78.  When President Lincoln called, Wells contributed 300 from a population of just under 2,900 to serve in the Civil War.

 

That commitment to service continued through two World Wars to current tours of duty. Artifacts on view include two Congressional Medals of Honor, a tintype of a Civil War soldier, and a portrait of Spanish American War veteran Everett Littlefield.