Programs

15 th Annual Norlands Humanities Conference
“Mainers and Their Neighbors Who Went Into the World”
June 5 – 7, 2008
Thursday 12:30 p.m. through Saturday 1:00.
Washburn-Norlands Living History Center
Livermore , Maine

Download PDF file of the conference program

Join history lovers, researchers, authors, independent scholars and the general public for presentations, lively dialogue and entertainment featuring the stories of Northern New England and Maritime people who ventured beyond the region's boundaries. Some, like the Washburn family, found fame and fortune. Many did interesting things.

This year's conference includes a program by Monica Grabin, who will present a singing history.  “Everyone will be singing by the end of the program and we'll raise the roof,” promises organizer and founder of the conference, Billie Gammon of Livermore .  Amidst a long list of presentations of intriguing papers, there is time for entertainment.  Kevin McShane will show the Last of the Saddle Tramps, a docudrama about the woman from Minot who made history recently by riding her horse to California .  It's a great adventure story of a gutsy Maine woman; adults and children are welcome to this evening program.  The full conference program will be posted soon.

The conference will be held in the Washburn Memorial Library on the grounds of the historic Washburn Norlands Living Hi story Center in Livermore .  Evening programs and meals will be at the North Livermore Baptist Church .  This is a relaxed and informal event with plenty of opportunity for interaction with presenters and members of the audience.

The conference is sponsored by the Washburn Norlands Foundation in association with the University of Maine at Farmington and St. Michael's College, Vermont and through the generous support of the Maine Humanities Council.

Come and bring your friends for one day or all three.  Registration is $15.00.  Meals are $12 each for dinner and $9 each for lunch.  Please contact Billie Gammon at 897-2236 or egammon@exploremaine.com to register or more information. Or you may print and mail the registration form as soon as possible.

Click here for print-ready registration form.

School Programs
We are not currently scheduling school group programs. Please check back for updates. . We ask for your patience while our office is operating with reduced staffing hours.

Meal, Laugh & Learn
More information coming soon. 

Tea, Talk & Tour
More information coming soon. 

Tour Group Programs
Norlands offers a number of programs for tour groups including families and individuals. Currently we are operating under reduced hours and suggest calling to make an appointment for any tours.

College Programs
We are currently developing new programming and developing new academic partners. Please check back for details or you may contact us to be added to our e-mail mailing list.

Live-In Programs
Imagine waking up and it is 1870. You are on the farm and the chores are waiting. The stove needs to be lit, water needs to be brought in, the cows need tending, and eggs need to be collected. All around you, there is a bustle of activity as your 19th Century family begins the day with you.

Washburn-Norlands Live-ins offer a hands-on experience of life in 19th century rural Maine. Over the weekend, we immerse our guests in the daily routine of farm life. Each individual becomes a member of a 19th century farm family in the Washburn family home and, as a member of the family, you will help with farm chores, cooking and cleaning, play games of the period and attend school.

You will also have an opportunity to learn about the incredible Washburns, discover the background of your character and tour of the historic buildings, containing authentic 19th artifacts. This program is structured and under the full-time supervision of our experienced staff.

Live-in participants should be open to trying all new experiences. While there was little leisure for a farm family, free time has been scheduled.

Sleeping accommodations are in an old-fashioned bunk-house. Bathroom facilities consist of chamber pots and privies.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult.