Welcome
to the Norlands
Join us at a Community
Picnic to say Thank You to Area Firefighters
Saturday,
June 21, 2008 11a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Norlands
Click here for more information about the picnic
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Rebuilding Norlands
In the weeks following a devastating April
fire that took the 19 th century barn, attached
farmhouse ell and several farm animals, The
Norlands is alive with activity thanks to
the overwhelming generosity of people from
across New England .
The board, staff, and volunteers
are committed to reconstructing
the two buildings with attention
to their historic value. The
work is underway.
“The
barn and farmhouse were the setting
for many of the living history
programs and we are grateful
for the talent and enthusiasm
that the people of Maine have
shown in response to our need. Some
of the hardest items to replace
will be the artifacts that were
used in the farmhouse kitchen,
bed chambers and barn. A
spinning wheel, hand tools, harnesses,
and an oxen yoke have already been
donated and we are welcoming calls
everyday,” says Board President
Kathy Beauregard.
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.JPG)
Donald Herbert
Quirrion, Tammy Chase, Dwain Chase
and the newly donated oxen yoke |
Dwain Chase, a farmer who organizes
a log scoot at Norlands annually, gathered
up the people and resources to build
a brand new yoke for Jessie and James,
Norlands' beloved oxen, who are being
boarded currently with a neighbor. The
yoke was made by Dwain Chase and Donald
Herbert Quirrion. The bows were
donated by Hammond Lumber, the plate
by Howie's Welding, the polyurethane
by Wilton Hardware, the bow pins by
Dwain and Tammy Chase, the shipping
by New England Ox Supply, a squared
stick by Dimension Lumber Company,
and a handmade gourd stick by Tammy
Chase. It's a work of art that
will be put to work before too long. |
A barn-raising is being planned for the
spring of 2009. If you would like to
help now, drop us a line at 207-897-4366.
If you would like to contribute to our rebuilding
efforts please click the box below and contribute
securely through Network for Good.
For
material & supply donations-
Call 240-7210 |
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Thank you donors!
The Washburn
Norlands Foundation would like to extend
our heartfelt thanks to the many 2008 donors
and grantors for their contributions
of $250 or more. Community support
is vital to our success. Thank you!
Androscoggin
Bank
Franklin Savings Bank
Diane
and Gerald Griffith
Sunshine Meredith Leinbach
Maine Community Foundation
Main-Land Consultants,
Inc.
Larry and Katherine Reimelt
Saddleback
Maine
Sun Journal
Thelma Swain
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The Barn, before and
after the fire |
Join us for an exciting adventure into the past. At
the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center,
we offer a variety of inter-active programs to
enable our guests to experience life as it truly
was in 18th and 19th century Maine.
Norlands is the family home of the Washburns, one
of the great political and industrial dynasties of
the 19th century. Of the ten children born to
Israel and Martha Washburn, seven sons rose to serve
as governors, congressmen, a United States senator,
Secretary of State, foreign ministers, a Civil War
general, and a Navy captain.
As industrialists, the brothers' achievements
included founding of the Washburn-Crosby Gold
Medal Flour Company, invention of a typewriter,
and serving as president of a railroad.
Today,
Norlands is a multifaceted museum offering
in-depth experiences in 18th and 19th century
rural life. Here, the visitor is an active
participant in daily and seasonal farming
and housework, and becomes involved in the
social, political and educational activities
of the times.
"When
the long dun wolds are ribb'd with snow,
And loud the Norland whirlwinds blow,"
From: THE
BALLAD OF ORIANA,
by Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)
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Martha Washburn
& Sons
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