Sebago Marks 200 Years with Anniversary Celebration and New Plans

Sebago, a town in Maine, celebrated its 200th anniversary on February 10, 2026, marking two centuries of community life. The event also launched an initiative to develop a new comprehensive plan, the first since 2006, aimed at guiding the town’s future growth and development. This plan is being spearheaded by North Star Planning, with planners Natasha Kypfer and Annarosa Whitman actively engaging residents during the anniversary festivities.

At the celebration, Whitman highlighted the importance of maintaining the vision established in the previous plan while incorporating feedback from the community. She remarked that the development process would take approximately one year. Kypfer emphasized the need to find a balance between development and preserving Sebago’s rural character. She noted that public engagement is crucial, encouraging residents to share their priorities through a survey that solicited input on various community aspects, including the desire for a new business district, a school building, and enhancements to local recreational facilities.

The anniversary event commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by a local Girl Scout troop. Carolyn Calarese, Chair of the Select Board, expressed gratitude to residents for their participation and the countless volunteer hours dedicated to community service over the past two centuries.

A reenactment of the town’s founding meeting added historical depth to the celebration. Led by Terri Welch, the reenactment transported attendees back to the original town meeting on February 10, 1826. Welch’s presentation included readings from historical documents, illustrating how early residents, limited to white male property owners aged 21 and older, established the laws of the new community and elected its first officials. She reflected on how, despite changes in voting rights and meeting formats, the civic spirit of participation remains strong.

In recognition of this significant milestone, Halsey Frank, a representative from Senator Susan Collins’ office, read a proclamation honoring Sebago’s anniversary. The proclamation, which is now part of the congressional record, detailed the town’s founding by Revolutionary War veterans and its growth through various historical developments, including the establishment of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal in 1832 and the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad in the 1870s.

The proclamation also acknowledged Sebago’s locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Dyke Mountain Annex and Fitch’s General Store. As noted in the proclamation, “The celebration of Sebago’s 200th anniversary is not merely about the passage of time. It is about human accomplishment in the face of adversity. We celebrate the people of Sebago who stand together, work together, and have created community for 200 years.”

As Sebago enters its next chapter, the town looks forward to shaping its future while honoring a rich history that has brought together generations of residents. Public feedback will play a vital role in ensuring that the new comprehensive plan reflects the community’s aspirations and preserves the unique character that has defined Sebago for two centuries.