Norlands

Washburn Norlands Living History Center in Livermore (2003)

The Norlands Living History Center in Livermore provides a live-in opportunity to those who want to experience life as early Maine settlers did.

Unfortunately, the great barn burned to the ground on April 28, 2008, damaging the adjoining mansion.

A major focus is on the lives of the famous Washburn family that made a significant impact on the state’s political, business, and military history.  Israel Washburn, Jr. was a member of the U.S. Congress and governor of Maine. His brothers Cadwallader, Elihu and William served in Congress as well.

The 1828 Universalist church contains original pews, pulpit, choir chairs, sofa, organ, and offering baskets. The church seats approximately 200 people, and features a high, vaulted ceiling and alter decorated with paintings.

Additional resources

Ferris, Lloyd “A Vision of History – Billie Gammon Brought Norlands Back to Life.” Maine Sunday Telegram. April 27, 1986. pages 1-3D.

“Fire Hits Norlands.” Sun Journal online. April 29, 2008.http://www.sunjournal.com/story/263151-3/Franklin/Fire_hits_Norlands

Gammon, Alfred, Mrs. Norlands Schoolhouse: an Experiment in Living History. 1976.

“Maine’s Time Machine: Washburn-Norlands Retreat Into History” by Tracey Linton Craig. History News, the magazine of the American Association for State and Local History. June 1983 (Vol. 38, No. 6).

Philoon, James E. The Norlands: Home of the Famed Washburn Family of Livermore. 1957?

Shettleworth, Earle G. Norlands: The Architecture of the Washburn Estate. Augusta, Me. Maine Historic Preservation Commission. 1980.

Washburn, Israel. Notes, Historical, Descriptive, and Personal, of Livermore, in Androscoggin (formerly in Oxford) County, Maine. Portland, Bailey & Noyes. 1874.

National Register of Historic Places – Listings

Norlands, The, Norlands Road