Town of Bethel, Maine

Bethel is a beautiful mountain village in Oxford County. This small town of about 3,000 is located in the Androscoggin River Valley surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Maine. These picturesque mountains are part of the White Mountains that extend into New Hampshire.

This area was originally home to the Abenaki. It became known as Sudbury-Canada Plantation around 1769. It was officially settled in 1774 and was changed to Bethel in 1796. The name “Bethel” comes from the Book of Genesis in the Bible and means “House of God.”

Exploring Bethel Maine

The Bethel Historical Society was established in 1966 in order to preserve the history of Bethel and its surrounding communities. Today a dozen exhibit galleries and period rooms are spread out among the two buildings here: the 1821 O’Neil Robinson House and The 1813 Dr. Moses Mason House.

These exhibits provide a glimpse into the rich history of Western Maine and the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire and Maine. And of Bethel which was once considered one of the best farming towns in the state.

Also located here is The Twitchell Education Center. There are many events held here throughout the year including demonstrations, lectures, children’s programs, and community events. The center itself is a replica of Dr. Mason’s 1837 private library and has an extensive library and archival of books, manuscripts, and photographs.

One notable person that you can learn more about here is William Rogers Chapman (1855-1935). He was an impresario, conductor, organist, and composer. He was also the founder of the Maine Music Festival back in 1897 and brought many notable vocalists to the area.

Outdoor and Indoor Activites

Bethel is a charming place to visit or live with great schools, communities, and things to do all year round. With the nearby White Mountain National Forest, a part of the Appalachian Trail, there’s plenty of hiking and skiing.

Gould Academy is located at 39 Church St. and is one of the Northeast’s premier college preparatory schools. This private academy has been around since 1836.

Bethel is an active community that loves to get outside and play all throughout the year. That’s easy to do when there’s so much offered. You can be sure to enjoy outdoor recreation here no matter the season!

Summer fun includes hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, sightseeing, swimming, and playing golf. For winter fun, there are both Alpine and Nordic skiing at nearby Sunday River Ski Resort, snowshoeing, tubing, sleigh rides, ice fishing, and even an apres-ski scene.

If you’re visiting during the summer check out Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground. Situated on the banks of the Androscoggin River, this seasonal campground has something for everyone. Enjoy the peacefulness of the river while tubing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. Or have an adventure and take a river trip with a few friends. There’s also a place to mine for gems.

Stay in your own tent on one of the grassy private wooded sites or bring your RV along and take advantage of the full hookups that they provide.

Another great place to stay is at The Bethel Inn Resort. This beautiful resort and Golf Course dates from 1913 and is known for its classic New England hospitality. Located on 21 Broad St this luxury resort consists of 200 acres of resort amenities and the Millbrook Tavern and Terrace. Choose from one of their rooms or suites or check out their fully equipped townhomes for your stay. Also onsite are a conference center that you can rent for weddings or other large events, a health club, and an outdoor heated pool.

If you visit during the winter months check out the ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and the 40km ski center. Also, the Oxford Casino and HotelM is located nearby if you’re looking for something extra.

And if you are visiting here during the winter keep your eyes open for the famous snowpeople. Bethel has twice made it into the Guinness World Records for Tallest Snowman and they keep trying every year. Angus, King of the Mountain won in 1999 at a height of 10 stories tall, and Olympia Snow Woman received the glory in 2008 at 11 stories tall.

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