Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
LIVERMORE — The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road, will be open Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate Cabin Fever Reliever Living History Day, featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice-cutting demonstrations, craft activities, one-room schoolhouse, mansion tours and a special tribute to George Washington.
Activities are provided by interpreters in period clothing portraying people of the 1800s Norlands neighborhood or Livermore’s Washburn family.
The annual event is a belated celebration of President’s Day – 1870 style. A special tribute to America’s first president, George Washington, takes place at 12:30 p.m and again at 2:30 p.m. After his death in 1799, Washington’s birthday became a day of remembrance and celebration, including toasts, elaborate galas with dancing, laying of wreaths, and fancy cake using a recipe from Martha Washington. Washington’s actual day of birth (Feb. 22) became a federal holiday in 1885. At first, the holiday was meant to honor only George Washington. However, many people considered it a day to honor both Washington and 16th President Abraham Lincoln (b. Feb 12, 1809). In 1971, the holiday officially became Presidents Day, a time to honor all presidents past and present; the day was moved to the third Monday of February.
Norlands’ interpreters Shelly Cox and Jeanette MacDonald, portraying the Washburn’s 19th-century neighbors, will bake a version of Martha Washington’s cake; stop by for a slice of cake and participate in the celebration.
Another highlight of the day is a special program on Lt. Samuel Benjamin. His story will be told by “Clara Howard,” portrayed by Willi Irish, Norlands director of interpretation and training. At 11:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m., Clara will share excerpts from Benjamin’s diary kept during the Revolutionary War. Samuel Benjamin (1753-1824) was one of the first to respond to the call. He fought at the Battle of Lexington in 1775 and served as a sergeant at the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the British evacuated Boston, Benjamin was then at Fort Ticonderoga in New York. Eventually, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Massachusetts Continental Line and went on to serve at Valley Forge, Saratoga, Monmouth and Yorktown. Benjamin was an early settler in Livermore during the time when it was called Port Royal and still a part of Oxford County. He married Tabitha Livermore and went on to have seven children, including Patty Benjamin Washburn.
Visitors to the Norlands can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and see traditional ice cutting demonstrations nearby on Bartlett Pond. Craft activities take place in the cozy and warm Washburn kitchen. The schoolmarm, “Corilla Rose,” will be ready to greet scholars in the one-room schoolhouse. In the 1867 mansion, visitors can take a guided tour. Several family stories will be shared on the tour of this elegant home, especially stories about the family’s relationship with Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. Unique family artifacts are on display, such as the armband and sash Elihu Washburn wore as a pallbearer for Lincoln’s funeral and a hair wreath, made with hair from every member of the Washburn family. Hair work was extremely popular during the latter half of the 1800’s. The sentimentalism of the Victorian age made these types of keepsakes popular for anyone who was separated from their family members or close friends, either by distance or by death. The Washburn wreath is lasting evidence of the fondness and intimacy among this extraordinary family.
Visitors may bring snowshoes and walk the historic carriage trail to the Pools of Simeon, reflecting pools designed in 1903 by the youngest Washburn brother, William Drew. Hot chocolate and other goodies will be for sale in the farmer’s cottage, while supplies last.
Members of Norlands get a 20 percent discount on admission upon showing a membership card. Admission tickets will be available in the gift shop. In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled by 9 a.m. Feb. 24.
Call the Norlands or check the Norlands Facebook Page for updates — 207-897-4366 or visit www.norlands.org.
The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is a multifaceted museum offering in-depth experiences in 19th century rural life.
