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PHOTO: Washburn Memorial Library at Norlands.
LIVERMORE — The flier began appearing in mailboxes the first week of December, and the news was not good.
An educational and historical institution is on the brink of dissolution unless “pledges for a major capital infusion of $3 million” come together by March 1.
Printed and distributed by the Trustees of the Washburn-Norlands Foundation, the flyer traces a bit of the history of the Washburn family, whose legacy they seek to preserve by using living history methods to teach what life was like during the mid-1800s.
“We dreamed of achieving financial stability so the public could benefit from the historical, educational and rural treasures found at the Norlands,” but the living history museum is facing dark financial times.
For 50 years, the trustees have maintained five buildings comprising the property as well as creating unique and memorable programming for grade-school children throughout Maine — many of whom dress in keeping with the historical period.
However, there came a point when financial facts could no longer be overcome without help.
“The Norlands has been operating at a deficit for years,” noted the trustees. “Although we have a modest endowment of $300,000, we are forced to consider ending our stewardship of the estate and closing the Norlands.”
If it comes to that dire end, a small number of staff and the endowment will help ensure artifacts and documents are preserved by an organization with a similar mission.
No checks or online contributions are being taken at this time; instead, anyone interested in helping the institution should send a message to trustees@norlands.org with their name and pledge amount. If the fundraising plan is met, those pledge amounts will be converted to donations to Save the Norlands. For more information, visit www.norlands.org.
