A walking tour by the Belgrade Historical Society on May 6 will explore the village’s history, one of 35 Jane’s Walks being held that day around Maine. Shown is Main Street in Belgrade Lakes Village, as seen in the early 1900s. Belgrade Historical Society photo

Belgrade residents and others interested in the town’s history can find out more with “Step Into the Past: Historic Main Street, Belgrade Lakes Village,” at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6.

The walk is one of 35 Jane’s Walks being offered across Maine that day. It is free and open to the public, no registration is required.

The walk, to be led by Eric Hooglund and Dianne Dowd of the Belgrade Historical Society, is expected to last about an hour. It will begin at St. Helena’s Church at the corner of Main and School streets at the south end of the village, and will take about one hour, ending at the Village Green, according to a news release from the society.

Walkers can hear about the unique collection of 19th century buildings that line Main Street on the isthmus that passes between Great Pond and Long Pond, two of the seven bodies of water that make up the Belgrade Lakes region. Participants can learn about the history of the village as it progressed from a farming community to a fisherman’s paradise and tourist destination.

The guides from the Belgrade Historical Society will tell the stories not only of the buildings, but also of the people who worked to make the area special.

Jane’s Walk ME is a festival celebrating community engagement. The walks combine the act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history and civic engagement.

Jane’s Walks take place globally in more than 200 cities and towns.

For more information, call Dowd at 617-548-3569 or find Belgrade Historical Society on Facebook.

Check out other upcoming area events!