Washburn-Norlands Living History Center- Livermore, Maine

Norlands is Open for Group Tours by Appointment

Norlands offers a number of programs for tour groups including families and individuals. Guided tours may include a visit to the Washburn family home, the one room school house to experience how "scholars" of 1853 learned their lessons and a visit to the library where you meet the members of the Washburn family.

All of the programs listed below are available for groups by appointment. Call today to check availability.

Bring Your Class to Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in
Livermore, Maine for a Journey Into History

Are you looking for a great way to inspire your students about Maine History, but can't find the funds you need to make it happen? Do you want to include a field trip to "The Norlands" in your curriculum but are having difficulty erasing the funds? Check out the Target® Field
Trip Grants program.

School Programs- Journey into History
Programs for Schoolchildren and Groups of All Ages

Our educational programs take place in historic buildings on their original sites, just as they appeared in the 1800's. They include a one-room schoolhouse, gothic granite library, farmers cottage and a huge barn full of animals.*

Journey into History programs focus on different themes with activities that demonstrate how people of the past lived from day to day. Your group might go to school, play games, cook a meal, work on the farm* or hear the Washburn family's story.

Because we use hands-on activities, primary source documents, costumed interpretive staff, and authentic objects in our programs, students or group members will become actively involved in the past and will be motivated to learn more. Our programs have been designed to meet the Maine State Learning Results. Several programs have comprehensive pre- and post-visit materials to help enhance your experience. They are fun for history lovers of all ages.

Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. It is often cold and windy at Norlands. Hats and mittens are encouraged, but electronics are not. Experience life in the 1800s; take a journey into history.

We also offer "outreach programs", where we bring costumed museum interpreters, artifacts and history programs to your classroom. Journey into History without the travel.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ladd Foundation, scholarships are available to help schools or youth groups reduce the cost of the registration fee. Please ask the Norlands staff for more information. Contact (207) 897-4366 or programs@norlands.org

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.

Martha Washburn & Sons

Now Booking: Journey II: Life in Rural Maine, 1870s

A total farm participation program for students, youth groups, and adults.

The Norlands’ Life in Rural Maine program is making a comeback and we’re now booking for late spring, summer, and fall.

This is a total participation experience with students working in the farmer’s cottage, barnyard, fields and woods doing daily and seasonal chores.

Participants gain an in-depth knowledge of rural Maine farm life and an understanding of how families lived a frugal lifestyle, the importance of individuals within the family and the family in the neighborhood. Students assume the role of someone who actually lived in 1870 as they simulate 19th century gender roles by working with oxen or doing household tasks. An authentic noon meal is prepared by the girls. Pre-visit material provided.

Grade 4 through Adult

Time/Cost: 4 hour program costs $350.00. Scholarship assistance is available for school and youth groups. Contact us for details.

The maximum group size is 24 people, including chaperones and teachers.

A museum interpreter visits your classroom with a Journey into History program.

Guests at a Meal, Laugh and Learn will enjoy a delicious country meal and participate in two interactive programs, visiting both the 1883 library and the one room school. Visitors with extra time may relax in rocking chairs on the veranda and enjoy this delightful Maine country setting.

Norlands Tea Party: A Taste of History
Enjoy the taste of a hot cup of tea and home made cookies served up with an entertaining history talk of your choice (choose from the list that follows), then enjoy a guided tour of the Washburn home.

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
An adventure experience for families and small groups. We are currently developing a schedule for 2012. Please call or email us if interested and we'll add you to our email list.

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 farmer's cottage . Bathroom facilities consist of chamber pots and privies.