The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center and Museum in Livermore, Maine is one of the most interesting places to experience American life as it was during the nineteenth centuries.
History of the Washburn Family
Originally home to the Washburn Family, the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is now a working museum, open all year long. Along with an extensive collection of antiques and historical resources, Washburn-Norlands offers several educational programs for all ages.
Israel Washburn, Sr. arrived in Livermore in 1806. He and his wife, Martha Benjamin Washburn had eleven children, ten of whom survived into adulthood. Their children went on to become prominent politicians in nineteenth century Maine, serving as congressional representatives and governors. Son Cadwallader Washburn migrated to west, where he served a term as governor of Wisconsin in 1872-1874. He also helped found Gold Medal Flour. Cadwallader’s older brother, Elihu Washburn was a personal friend of President Abraham Lincoln.
Visit Washburn-Norlands Today
Guests to the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center can tour the grand Italianate style house, with its period furnishings and decorations. There are several family portraits throughout the house, as well as hand painted murals gracing the ceilings. Washburn-Norlands is home to one of the largest antique clothing collections in Maine, featuring Victorian dresses from Paris and men’s suits from Brooks Brother and Hart.
In the spacious kitchen, guests can help cook authentic nineteenth century meals, with home grown ingredients. Surrounding the main house and barn are beautiful fields and pastures, as well as ancient maple trees.
Just beyond the main house sits a beautiful old church from the 1820's, where wedding ceremonies are still held. Other buildings include a one room school house and a gothic style library, built in 1884. In 2008 the farmer’s quarters and the old rambling barn at Norlands was destroyed as result of a fire from a heater. Currently restoration efforts are underway to rebuild both the barn and the farmer’s quarters.
Washburn-Norlands offers a variety of school and group programs throughout the year, including day trips and overnight packages. In the spring and summer, visitors can participate in Civil War reenactments, old fashioned socials and many other community centered events. Programs for school-aged children include journeys back in time, experiencing a typical school day in the nineteenth century, as well as learning various games children played in the nineteenth century.
No childhood in Maine is complete without a visit to the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center. It may not be world famous, but it stands as a reminder of the hard work that helped to build rural communities throughout the United States.
For more information visit www.norlands.org
