Hope Moody Shelley became involved with the Historic Preservation Commission in the 1970’s and joined the Historical Society in 1978.  She was Society President from 1978 to 1981 and again in the 1990’s.

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Hope became the Wells Town Historian in 1992 and still serves in that role today.  She’s written many articles on history for several local newspapers and she started our Waves & Furrows newsletter.  She also developed and co-authored the “Wandering through Wells” series and was heavily involved in coordinating the Town’s 350th celebration in 2003.

Hope has written several books, including Beaches of Wells; Vital Records of Wells Maine 1619-1950; and My Name is Wells, I am the Town.  She also transcribed the 18th-century journal of John Littlefield and led the effort to locate and document the 200-plus private cemeteries in Wells.

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Growing up locally, Hope attended Wells schools, where she marched in the band, played sports, and excelled in academics.  After graduating in 1952, Hope had a career in nursing and also served as School Nurse in Wells Schools.

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After devoting more than 40 years to volunteerism in the town of Wells, Hope was recognized as the 2018 Wells Volunteer of the Year.  Thank you, Hope!