The Slavophile Society is a multi-ethnic, non-profit association organized for the preservation and perpetuation of Slavic languages, arts, music, cultures, customs, traditions, and history.  It is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization.

The society was founded in 1972, an outgrowth of the Russian-speaking community in Richmond.  The society's membership fluctuates between 20 and 40 people. Although the society is based in Augusta, many of its members live outside Kennebec County.

In the past, the society has held Slavic picnics on its property in Dresden and has held dinners and dances in Augusta, Richmond, and Gardiner, featuring both local and out-of-state performers of Russian and Eastern European music.  It has also participated in exhibits of Slavic crafts and artifacts at multi-ethnic events.

Currently, to meet its goals of supporting Slavic culture, the society has made grants to the Bossov Ballet Theater and most recently to the Downeast Singers for a spring concert featuring the choral works of Polish composer Henryk Gorecki.  The society is considering a further grant to an academic institution to enable a graduate student to research some aspect of the history of a Slavic group here in Maine.  The idea is to produce a series of monographs on each of the Slavic groups that have had a presence in Maine to help preserve their history.

This description was adapted from e-mail messages from Fred Turlo, President of the Society, and John Wlodkowski, Secretary.  For more information: