83-year-old ‘key to city’ given to East Blue Hill Public Library

Wooden key returned to East Blue Hill Public Library

Betsy Frawley of the East Blue Hill Public Library and Rich Boulet of the Blue Hill Public Library holding the ‘key to the city.’ Photo by Maizy Weirich

August 24, 2026

By Maizy Weirich

A wooden “key to the city” has been returned to East Blue Hill. 

The mystery key has a postage tag attached that is partially illegible; however, it is clear it was addressed to Wilbur F. McIntyre 83 years ago in Oklahoma City. According to McIntyre’s obituary, he was a Blue Hill native, and a World War II veteran who served in the US Army Air Corps in New Guinea and the Pacific. He passed away in early 2015. 

“It’s amazing that the tag, which is now 83 years old, survived enough that we could actually read most of it,” said Karen Wyatt, vice president of the board of trustees of East Blue Hill Public Library. “We don’t know how he kept it all those years.”

Dwayne DeJoy acquired the wooden key around three years ago, and he thinks he bought it at the Arundel Flea Market. Rich Boulet, director of the Blue Hill Public Library, said DeJoy is a local antique dealer, and “has an eye for mostly mid-century things.”

DeJoy gave the key to Boulet, who then gave it to Betsy Frawley, president of the board of trustees of the East Blue Hill Public Library. 

“This library is very historically minded…We have a great collection of East Blue Hill history, and this is a perfect addition,” Frawley said.

Frawley is considering displaying the key in a shadowbox on the mantelpiece in the main room, where visitors can easily see it. If anyone has any additional information about the key and its origins, contact the East Blue Hill Public Library.

 Rich Boulet handing the key to Betsy Frawley. Photo by Maizy Weirich