Nineteenth Century Willowbrook Village in Newfield is a special place in southern Maine ”“ and its future is in danger.
The group of buildings and grounds offers visitors a glimpse of life in rural Maine from the mid-1800s to about 1920, showing the life of farming and forestry common in the area.
Willowbrook became part of the community again when Don and Marguerite “Pan” King bought the first property, the old 1813 William Durgin homestead, in 1965. King opened the village to the public in 1970.
But since then, due to a difficult economy, its endowment has dwindled along with its visitors.
Supporters say without financial support, the 2012 season could be its last. The museum’s board of directors plans to make a decision in November.
We hope York County residents and visitors to the area will support the museum through membership or just a visit ”“ every one counts.
While the museum may not offer the rush of rides at an amusement park, it provides instead an education on local history, children’s activities including rides on an 1894 carousel, and a chance to walk the grounds in the beautiful Maine countryside.
Too often families hit the amusement parks and beaches along the coast in summer months without any thought about what the interior of Maine might hold. While we do not suggest families skip the high-energy, game-filled parks or a day at the beach, they could also certainly take a vacation day to enjoy Maine’s historic sights and activities like a teddy bear tea, watching blacksmiths at work, and visiting a farmer’s and artisan’s market featuring local wares and goods.
Willowbrook also has carriages and early toys, a cider press and a cooperage, a country store and a blacksmith shop, and two homes outfitted the way they would have been in the late 1800s. The 1894 Armitage Herschell Carousel features brightly painted horses and music of the period. The sprawling grounds show Maine’s beauty at all times of year from the first green in spring to the bright colors of summer in full bloom to the expansive fall foliage.
This village is truly a treasure in York County, and beyond its education and aesthetic benefits, it injects about $250,000 annually into the local economy and employs upwards of 20 part-time workers during the May to October season. It has also been owned by the Kings for more than three decades.
If it closes, like so many other historic places and buildings in the area, it is unlikely to re-open.
York County residents need to rally around these types of places ”“ which are unique to the area ”“ and help preserve a place that is part of the community and part of history.
For more information on Newfield’s 19th Century Willowbrook Village, visit www.willowbrookmuseum.org.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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