2024 Town History Series - Alice May Douglas

In January, BHS was honored to kick off the 20th edition of the Patten Free Library’s Town History Series. Local historian Ellen Endter presented on Alice May Douglas - a poet, editor, activist and Bath resident from 1865-1943.

Ellen’s curiosity about Douglas was spurred when she discovered that her house on York Street in Bath is the house where Alice May lived her whole life. Her father owned a men’s clothing business downtown and the family were members of the Beacon Street Methodist Church.

At age 28, Alice May Douglas was named a “Woman of the Century” and profiled in a volume alongside the likes of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. She championed the causes of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union - her advocacy and activism for temperance and peace continued well into the 20th century. She wrote multiple volumes of poetry, several serialized novels, essays, pamphlets, and speeches.

Douglas’s life was both typical and atypical of women of the time, many of whom were just beginning to engage in civic life. Ellen’s research helps broaden and deepen the usual narratives about Bath history. You can watch a recording of Ellen’s presentation on YouTube (at right).

This year’s Town History Series was thoughtfully dedicated to Peter Goodwin, a former BHS trustee, and the founder of the series.

Ellen Endter presents on Alice May Douglas at the Patten Free Library.