Strawberry Heritage Days June 27 & 28
Kick off your 4th of July week by joining us for an old-fashioned celebration of America’s 250th birthday at the Norlands Strawberry & Heritage Days June 27 & 28th. We’ll have a craft fair & demonstrations, a special America 250 exhibit in the Mansion, a patriotic day of School in 1876, games on the lawn, music, ice cream making, a full menu of picnic foods in the Farmer’s Cottage Kitchen, and, of course, Strawberry Shortcake. PLUS… we have OXEN visiting for the weekend – a Norlands tradition. Admissions to the grounds is FREE, with admissions to our exhibit in the Mansion and School in 1876 $5 each or a pre-order special of both for $8.
Hours: June 27 10am – 7pm
June 28 11am – 4pm
Click here for advance purchase of Mansion & School Tickets, Strawberry Shortcake and a full Picnic meal. Read carefully – there are a lot of options!
“The Washburns and Livermore: In Service to America” – special exhibit with rare treasures from the Norlands archive. This walk through history features some remarkable items even Norlands old-timers have never seen before! – $5
“School in 1876” – The schoolteacher is prepared to teach you about America’s first 100 years through reading, writing, penmanship, declamations and quizzes about the history of this great Republic. This is a great chance to show off your knowledge of 1876. Be sure to make your manners! –$5
Strawberry Shortcake $8
Picnic Meal $15 adults, $10 kids under 10 (add on Strawberry Shortcake for $5). Family packages available online.
Ice Cream Churning $5
Picnic Meal Options: BLT on homemade bread, Hummos & Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on homemade bread, Hot Dogs with the Fixings, Fox Farm Potato Chips, watermelon and a local beverage – Maine Roots Soda, Ricker Hill Sparkling Cider (non-alcoholic) and other sodas.
Fun Ways to Spend the Day!
Continental Army Camp – Enlist as a Livermore soldier in the Continental Army, learn to march like a real soldier and sing Yankee Doodle!
Stories in the Barn with Mercy Lovejoy – Hear entertaining stories of old Livermore from the town pauper, Mercy Lovejoy, interpreted by Willi Irish. 11am – 3pm Saturday
Dancing on the Lawn– learn classic 19th century dances with our expert instructors on Saturday
Games on the Lawn – Badminton, Croquet, Graces and more
Games on the Porch – Learn to play Euchre and Backgammon
Craft Show – Shop from our local artisans and bakers
Craft Demonstrations – See how our local artisans make their unique creations
See Oxen Demonstrations & Meet our Animals
Peek in the Library and the Meeting House
Hike on our Trails * Visit Bartlett Pond
June 27 at Noon: Presentation of the Colors, recognition of all Livermore Revolutionary War Veterans.
A highlight of the weekend is the America 250 Community Sing-Along Celebration in the Meeting House. We’ve got a great playlist of classic American patriotic songs to sing together and readings from important speeches and documents in U.S .History. What better way to kick off 4th of July week than packing our 1828 historic church for a non-commercial, fun and meaningful reminder of the reason for the 4th of July season! The services in 1876 and 1976 packed the Meeting House – let’s do it again!
Jane’s Walk 2026
Join us on a walk through the woods that built the Norlands. Travel on the same carriage trails used by residents of Livermore from the 1800s. Experience the Pools of Simeon created from a natural spring by William Drew Washburn. Stand on the foundations of homes lost to time while listening to tales of their residents. Learn about the trees and how they were used by farm families in this crossroads neighborhood. Visit the final resting place of several Washburns, their neighbors, and Civil War soldiers in the Waters Hill Cemetery.
We recommend that guests wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and bring along bug spray for this activity. A shuttle will be available for those who would prefer a ride to the top of Waters Hill to walk the cemetery.
The walk will end on the piazza of the historic Norlands mansion. Please plan to stay for snacks and refreshments. The gift shop will be open for purchases.
This event is free to all, however, we welcome donations!
Father’s Day Farm to Table Dinner
Join us for a fun Father’s Day Weekend Cookout at the Norlands and enjoy a special day for Dads of all ages. Get a behind the scenes sneak peak at our America 250 exhibit, “The Washburns and Livermore: in Service to America”. Enjoy games on the lawn, visit the animals, hike on our trails and fish, canoe or kayak on Bartlett Pond. This relaxing day is the perfect way to escape to a simpler time and make memories!
Menu includes:
- Burgers & Hot Dogs on Homemade Buns
- Potato Salad
- Coleslaw
- Watermelon
- Cupcakes
- Beverages
Bring your own quilt or borrow one from us!
Also Join us for the Fern Walk from 10am – 12pm.
Maple Sunday 2026
Celebrate the Norlands in 2026!
March 3, 2026
Dear Washburn-Norlands Supporters,
Greetings from the Washburn-Norlands Foundation. I can’t believe it is already March, with our 2026 season kickoff, Maple Sunday, less than three weeks away! It is my pleasure to share some “News from the Norlands” and invite you to join me as a Donor-Member as we “Celebrate the Norlands” in 2026.
This is my third winter as Board President at the Norlands. A few weeks ago, I joined volunteers ages 17 to over 70, addressing and stuffing envelopes for this annual appeal. I am overwhelmed with the excitement that has returned to the Norlands. I saw 6th generation Livermore families, Washburns who have returned to Maine, longtime volunteers, our enthusiastic staff, and more than a few high school students helping. Four years ago, we put out the call to “Save the Norlands”. When our house is filled with love and laughter, it shows how our generous supporters have brought life back to our 400 acres, and given great promise for our future.
This year is special because besides being America’s 250th birthday, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Israel Washburn, Sr. Trust, which placed the Norlands property and all of its contents in an irrevocable trust to descendants of the ten Washburn brothers and sisters. He intended for the family to be forever connected to each other and to the community through maintaining and enjoying this property which has been loved for generations. Today, we see the impact of his legacy – The Israel Washburn Sr. Trust is now the non-profit Washburn Norlands Foundation which has continued his vision of connecting the family and serving the community. I love welcoming Washburns from around the world back to the Norlands, connecting with the descendants of our family’s Livermore cousins and neighbors, and working to serve people throughout our area with history education, community events, and access to our beautiful property.
Between successful Living History Days, Farm-to-Table Dinners, school & homeschool field trips, volunteer projects, outstanding interns and visitors from far and wide, our year was filled with activity. It is always a joy to welcome family, friends and first time visitors to experience the magic at the Norlands. The numbers tell the story:
- Over 3500 students from across Maine and visitors of all ages enjoyed a field trip, tour, meal or special event.
- Our four signature events, Maple Sunday, Strawberry Day, Haunted Harvest and Olde Fashioned Christmas at Norlands with the JLLF Chamber of Commerce were a huge success.
- Three happy couples were married at the Norlands and held their receptions in the barn.
- Five interns worked over 2300 hours in the Washburn Archives, making our collection more accessible than ever!
- Volunteers, ranging from ages 12 to over 80, contributed over 10,000 hours to the Norlands.
- Our goats, sheep, chickens and horse, Molly, have thrived. In 2026, we will begin selling wool from our sheep, so if you knit or crochet, you are in for a special treat.
This year, we had the pleasure of hosting the Year to Volunteer group, a national organization of RVers committed to serving the historic sites they enjoy on their travels. Their transformative work made a huge difference on our grounds. They replaced all of our pasture fencing, giving the animals larger safe spaces to roam and their improvements to our parking area have made a lasting impact on our site.
The Congressional District Spending grant to restore the Library, Meeting House and other historic buildings has reached the environmental review stage and when that is completed, construction can begin. I have learned a lot about doing a large-scale federal restoration project. It is more complicated than I expected and I am thankful to have an outstanding board and staff at my side to help navigate the process.
For 2026, we are actively booking school groups, adult group visits, weddings and historical experiences while also offering farm-to-table dinners, our four signature events, an eventful summer season and a surprise or two for America’s 250th birthday. You may want to save June 28 for a patriotic sing-along in the Meeting House inspired by one of William Drew Washburn’s summer services from over 100 years ago.
Maintaining a 400 acre historic property takes more than the revenue from these activities alone. With your continued support, we can have another strong year in 2026. We see great opportunities ahead and hope you will continue to value what we provide and help us ensure that our facilities, collections, employment opportunities, research support and educational programs are accessible to all.
With a contribution of $35 or more, you receive the benefits of membership, including free admission, while providing generous support to the Norlands at the same time. With a donation of $100 or above, you will receive admission to 1,200 museums nationwide through the National Association of Reciprocal Museums (NARM). All memberships and donations, regardless of size, are structured to be 100% tax deductible. You can give online at norlands.org or by using the enclosed envelope.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at president@norlands.org. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates.
I look forward to celebrating our successes with you as we “Celebrate the Norlands” in 2026. I hope that you will have a chance to visit the Norlands this year!
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
Ashley Heyer
President & Co-Director, Washburn-Norlands Foundation
Great-Great-Great Granddaughter of Elihu B. Washburne
Washburn-Norlands Foundation Trustees
Ashley Heyer, President Renee Bonin
Mary Castonguay, Vice President Isaiah Davis
Tom Mullin, Secretary Jane Frost
Sarah Washburne, Treasurer Ron Kley
Mike Bell Conner Trembley
Winter Fun Day February 18
Join us for some Winter Fun – 1870s style – at the Norlands during break week on Wednesday, February 18. We’ll have a “nooning” where we make our entire hot lunch on the wood stove and enjoy fun winter activities inside and out (TBD based on the weather.) If you’ve visited the Norlands on a field trip / homeschool day in the past, this is an entirely new experience you’ll never forget!
Admission tickets for $30 include lunch for one child and their accompanying adult. Additional children are $20 each. Tickets are available at norlands.org
In the event of a severe snow day, we will contact you about a make-up day.
This day is appropriate for children 7 and older, so if you need to bring a younger sibling, please contact us at norlands@norlands.org.
We look forward to seeing you on the 18th!
P.S. – You are welcome to stay at the Norlands as long as you want so feel free to bring a sled, snowshoes or XC skis. A walk on our frozen Bartlett Pond is also great fun!
February 18
10am - 3pm
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