Programs

Norlands is Open for Group Tours by Appointment

Norlands offers a number of programs for tour groups including families and individuals. Currently we are operating under reduced hours and volunteer staffing throughout October and November. Call us at 207-897-4366 to check on availability and to possibly arrange a specific time for your group.

Guided tours may include a visit to the Washburn family home, the one room school house to experience how "scholars" of 1853 learned their lessons and a visit to the library where you meet the members of the Washburn family.

Living History Tours

Next year, throughout July and August 2012, the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center will once again offer living history tours done by interpreters in period clothing portraying people of the neighborhood. In the school house you will learn first-hand about rural education in 1853, the three R's. You can try using a quill pen or test your skills in mental arithmetic or spelling.

In the mansion house you can chat with the youngest Washburn, daughter Caroline as she shows you through the family home. She enjoys telling about her famous family and sharing family stories.

The Washburn kitchen is always a busy place. There might be cooking, ironing, playing games, an artifacts game, storytelling, spinning, other neighbors dropping by or most anything else.

This is a guided tour in the buildings and self-guided on the grounds. Go at your own pace, stay and visit where you wish. Bring a picnic lunch, we will provide the lawn, the picnic table and the beautiful setting.

Bring Your Class to Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in
Livermore, Maine for a Journey Into History


Are you looking for a great way to inspire your students about Maine History, but can't find the funds you need to make it happen?  Do you want to include a field trip to "The Norlands" in your curriculum but are having difficulty erasing the funds?  Check out the Target® Field
Trip Grants program.

School Programs- Journey into History
Programs for Schoolchildren and Groups of All Ages

Our educational programs take place in historic buildings on their original sites, just as they appeared in the 1800's. They include a one-room schoolhouse, gothic granite library, farmers cottage and a huge barn full of animals.*

Journey into History programs focus on different themes with activities that demonstrate how people of the past lived from day to day. Your group might go to school, play games, cook a meal, work on the farm* or hear the Washburn family's story.

Because we use hands-on activities, primary source documents, costumed interpretive staff, and authentic objects in our programs, students or group members will become actively involved in the past and will be motivated to learn more. Our programs have been designed to meet the Maine State Learning Results. Several programs have comprehensive pre- and post-visit materials to help enhance your experience. They are fun for history lovers of all ages.

Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. It is often cold and windy at Norlands. Hats and mittens are encouraged, but electronics are not. Experience life in the 1800s; take a journey into history.

We also offer "outreach programs", where we bring costumed museum interpreters, artifacts and history programs to your classroom. Journey into History without the travel.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ladd Foundation, scholarships are available to help schools or youth groups reduce the cost of the registration fee. Please ask the Norlands staff for more information. Contact (207) 897-4366 or Norlands@norlands.org

*The barn is currently being rebuilt for 2012.

Journey into History Programs

• A Country School, 1853
  Scholars go back to the basics of reading, writing and 'rithmetic in the District #7 one-room schoolhouse. Your group will experience education of the era by role-playing scholars and using materials of the time, including slates, quill pens and early readers. Pre and post-visit materials are provided.

Grade 2 through adult
1.5 to 2 hour program $165 / 4 hour program $250
Maximum group size is 24 people including chaperones and teachers.

• A Visit to the Farm
  Students discover how life was lived in 1870 rural Maine as they visit the farm kitchen. An interactive matching game with everyday artifacts teaches about the frugal country lifestyle.

Grade 2 through adult
1.5 hour program $165
Maximum group size is 24 people including chaperones and teachers.

• Fun and Games of Long Ago
  Even the games played long ago carried lessons with them. Indoor games, using materials at hand, show the rural way of life when leisure time was a reward for work well done.

Grade 2 through adult
1.5 hour program $165
Maximum group size is 24 people including chaperones and teachers.

• The Busy Cradle
  A true tale of Maine history.  A lively, interactive story where students "become" the seven famous Washburn brothers and their three sisters.  Instrumental in changing the face of politics and business, this amazing family is also the benefactor of this grand estate.
  
  Grade 4 through adult
  1.5 hour program $165    
  Maximum group size is 24 including chaperones and teachers.
  
  
• To Market, To Market
  Based on the award-winning book, Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall, students learn about the life of early settlers.
  
  Grade K through 2
  1 hour program $165
  Maximum group size is 24 including chaperones and teachers

Download a History Program reservation form here or contact us for a registration form at (207) 897-4366 or Norlands@norlands.org

Journey into History OUTREACH Programs

A museum interpreter visits your classroom with a Journey into History program.

• Life on the Farm
  Learn about the frugal lifestyle lived on Maine farms through interactive matching games using everyday artifacts of 1870's country life.
  
  Grade 2 through adult
  30-45 minute program $150 (plus mileage over 100 miles round trip)

• School Days, 1850s
  A schoolteacher recreates a typical day in a one-room schoolhouse. Students use materials of the time.
  
  Grade 2 through adult
  30-45 minute program $150 (plus mileage over 100 miles round trip)
  

• Fun and Games of Long Ago
  Play indoor games enjoyed by children long ago to relieve the monotony of tedious toil. 
  
  Grade 2 through adult
  30-45 minute program $150 (plus mileage over 100 miles round trip)
  

• To Market, To Market
  Based on the award-winning book, Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall, students learn about the life of early settlers.
  
  Grade K through 2
  30-45 minute program $150 (plus mileage over 100 miles round trip)
  Maximum group size is 24 including chaperones and teachers

Download a History OUTREACH Program reservation form here or contact us for a registration form at (207) 897-4366 or Norlands@norlands.org

Meal, Laugh & Learn

Guests at a Meal, Laugh and Learn will enjoy a delicious country meal and participate in two interactive programs, visiting both the 1883 library and the one room school.  Visitors with extra time may relax in rocking chairs on the veranda and enjoy this delightful Maine country setting.

Price is $27.00 per person: minimum group size is 20, maximum group size is 60

Download a program reservation form here

Norlands Tea Party:  A Taste of History                
Enjoy the taste of a hot cup of tea and home made cookies served up with an entertaining history talk of your choice (choose from the list that follows), then enjoy a guided tour of the Washburn home.

Price is $12.50 per person:  minimum group size is 8, maximum group size is 20

• Meet Mercy Lovejoy - learn about a 19th century pauper.
  
  
• The Proper Sphere of Woman - the proper place of the 19th century farm woman will be revealed in this presentation.
  
  
• Health, Sanitation and Deadly Diseases - a presentation that includes home remedies, customs and beliefs related to 19th century health care.
  
  
• School Days, 1850's - a schoolma'am tells of a typical day in a one room country school and reviews the basic of the three "R"s and she seeks a job for the upcoming term of school.
  
  
• Happy Holidays - a look at the holidays and special days of the year in 1870 rural Maine and how they were kept with special emphasis on Christmas.
  
                    
• Strange Happenings in Livermore - hear the varied stories all having to do with coffins in this seasonal offering.

Download a program reservation form here

College Programs
We are currently developing new programming and developing new academic partners. Please check back for details or you may contact us to be added to our e-mail mailing list.

Live-In Programs
An adventure experience for families and small groups. We are currently developing a schedule for 2012. Please call or email us if interested and we'll add you to our email list.

$125/adult and $95 for children under 12 yo for a 24 hour program.

How to Register for Live-In programs

Imagine waking up and it is 1870. You are on the farm and the chores are waiting. The stove needs to be lit, water needs to be brought in, the cows need tending, and eggs need to be collected. All around you, there is a bustle of activity as your 19th Century family begins the day with you.

Washburn-Norlands Live-ins offer a hands-on experience of life in 19th century rural Maine. Over the weekend, we immerse our guests in the daily routine of farm life. Each individual becomes a member of a 19th century farm family in the Washburn family home and, as a member of the family, you will help with farm chores, cooking and cleaning, play games of the period and attend school.

You will also have an opportunity to learn about the incredible Washburns, discover the background of your character and tour of the historic buildings, containing authentic 19th artifacts. This program is structured and under the full-time supervision of our experienced staff.

Live-in participants should be open to trying all new experiences. While there was little leisure for a farm family, free time has been scheduled.

Sleeping accommodations are in an old-fashioned farmer's cottage . Bathroom facilities consist of chamber pots and privies.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult.