Memoirist Chris Chapman takes a break from autographing books after a reading on July 17 in Damariscotta. The event took place at the former Chapman Farm, now home to Inn Along the Way, which Chapman described as a magnificent manifestation of what her parents would have wanted for the farms future. (Sarah Masters photo)
Priscilla “Chris” Chapman read from her memoir “Farm Raised: Stories from a Damariscotta Childhood” on that same farm, now Inn Along the Way, on July 17.
Chapman’s ancestors trace their local roots back several generations to Damariscotta’s original European settlers. The Chapman descendants inherited farmland for which they had no use.
The family sold the land in 2015 to local nonprofit Inn Along the Way, a local nonprofit with the goal of transforming the historic property into an innovative, neighborhood-style setting for older adults and caregivers. Around that time, the organization’s president, Sherry Flint, asked Chapman if she could a few stories about her youth. “Farm Raised” is the result.
Flint introduced Chapman, who was quick to lavish praise on Flint’s vision and what has come to pass.
“(Inn Along the Way) is a magnificent manifestation of what my parents would have wanted Chapman Farm to become,” Chapman said.
Underneath beams still marked with the names of the former stall holders – Gilda, Maple, Bess – Chapman recounted stories of her family, the cows, the chickens, and the police chase. But she had to warm up to the idea first.
“Stories? Me? So I went home and started going through all of my photographs of the farm,” Chapman said. She found that each picture held a story in her mind.
“The Rock” was the first story she wrote. All of her young cousins loved to climb the Rock when they visited. At the top they could wave at travelers along Route 1.
“Grandpa knew it was a law that you could not move a permanent flag staff. So to avoid having his boulder moved, he drilled a hole and put in an American flag,” Chapman read.
After she wrote that story, Chapman saw that the Inn Along the Way was hosting a series of memories to memoir writing classes. Chapman knew then that Flint was serious how having her share her story and decided to commit herself to the project.
Chapman would bring a picture to the class and write its story. She was continually encouraged.
“I grew up with ghosts … those who came before – they are still here. Memories bring them to life,” Chapman read.
Chapman recalls the dual hurricanes of 1954, playing with her younger sister Mary, and her step grandmother Hortense.
“Poor grandma – I really gave her a run for her money,” Chapman said. Born with a bit of a wild streak, Chapman recounted tales of trying to catch the wind and fly during Hurricane Edna. While she was safe, the storm destroyed the silo and tore off the barn roof.
Chapman was there when her father collapsed with a heart attack at 36. While he survived, it was the end of the dairy business at Chapman farm.
Chapman was sent to boarding school at age 13 and became a summer person. After spending time living all over the country, Chapman and her wife currently reside in Nobleboro.
“Farm Raised: Stories from a Damariscotta Childhood” is available at local libraries and Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops. Chapman is working on her next book, stories from her travels around the world.
