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WINTHROP — A 10-year journey for the Winthrop Maine Historical Society ended on Feb. 9, when the society closed on its new building at 107 Main St.
The historical society has been investigating and working for 10 years to find a home for the many wonderful items that over time have been donated. In 2019, the Board of Directors began in earnest the task of actually finding a suitable home in downtown.
The ultimate goal was to acquire a building within walking distance of Winthrop Grade School that would provide high visibility to the community and be in the center of town. Many possibilities arose, but the Building Committee finally looked at three locations on Main Street and one location off Main Street. The committee finally keyed in on the Key Bank building, at 107 Main St.. Thus the work of funding the purchase began.
A committee of five board members was established and a plan was formulated. The committee reached out to local businesses and financial institutions and a GoFund me page was implemented. The donations began to flow in and the committee was very pleased with the responses received. Key Bank and the Building Committee negotiations began with the help of Eben Thomas at Thomas Agency and Mary Denison of Lake and Denison.
It wasn’t easy, but determination and the goal were paramount to success, and the donations continued to flow in as did the interest and encouragement of many past and present residents of the community. On Feb. 9, the actual acquisition was complete. So much excitement and satisfaction was evident as phase one was completed.
Renovations and some repairs are needed to truly and fully accommodate public use of the Winthrop History and Heritage Center. Two vaults are available for safekeeping of the extensive collection of historical items but appropriate spaces are needed for displays, a gift shop and room for large scale functions.
The entire WMHS board has been amazed at the number of people in our viable community who have stepped forward looking to help, assist and donate their time and skills to improve and enhance the future home of the Winthrop History and Heritage Center. The Board of Directors of the Winthrop Maine Historical Society extend a huge thank you to the Winthrop Community!
Winthrop Maine Historical Society Board of Directors gather to celebrate the acquisition of Key Bank on Main Street in Winthrop for the future Winthrop History and Heritage Center.
The board’s next business meeting is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11, via Zoom. The link is networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81096636540 and the meeting ID is 810 9663 6540. Contact Nick at nperry@baileylibrary.org for more information.
