The newspaper was founded in 1853 by the Reverend Joseph Witherell. It was entitled "The Gem" and was published in a small building on Main St., which later housed Salisbury's Market. By 1865 the paper was named the Dexter Gazette. In 1892 it combined with another newspaper, the Eastern State, and was renamed the Eastern Gazette. It has had several owners, including Holman Day, later a well known poet and novelist. George Huff holds the record for length of ownership, 38 years, from 1907 to 1945. He was the owner at the time the current building was constructed to replace one on the same spot that burned in 1924.

The society will take part in "An Affair of the Arts" sponsored by the Sebasticook Valley Cultural Heritage Project. It will be held at the Middle School in Newport on June 14 from 9:00 to 3:00. The society will have an exhibit featuring its history and will also offer items for sale, including two new Fernwood building blocks. The new blocks feature Dexter schools, Pleasant St. and Spring St. The blocks are also available at the Grist Mill Museum, which is now open, Monday thru Friday from 10:00 to 4:00 and Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00.