Board members of 19th Century Willowbrook Village in Newfield announced some good news this week: The museum will be able to open for both the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Supporters said this summer the museums’ future would be in danger without financial support, but earlier this week said they will press on for at least the next two seasons and hope to be open for many years to come.
Thanks to increasing memberships and fundraisers, the museum will be able to continue opening from Memorial Day to Columbus Day to show visitors a glimpse of life in rural Maine from the mid-1800s to about 1920, and the life of farming and forestry common in the area.
Board President Douglas King said memberships have been growing steadily ”“ from 60 in 2008 to 440 so far in 2011 ”“ and the goal for 2012 is 650. Visitors to the village increased by 1,000 this season, he said, while 81 school groups made the trip to Willowbrook.
Fundraisers also helped the plight, with Sunday brunches and bean suppers that helped to raise funds and bring the community together on behalf of Willowbrook, according to King.
The Journal Tribune urged readers to support the museum this summer, and we’re glad this important historical landmark has a secure future in the short-term, and hope support for the village will stretch far into the future.
Willowbrook Village offers 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.
Willowbrook had its roots in the 1960s, when Don and Marguerite “Pan” King began to see area farms disappear, one by one. Don King bought farm implements and carriages, sleighs, blacksmithing tools and more, amassing a collection that shows the changes over time and how invention and innovation impacted rural life.
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.
This place is a York County treasure, and in addition, the museum is also a economic driver for the local community.
Willowbrook injects about $250,000 annually into the local economy, and employs upwards of 20 part-time workers during the May to October season.
We hope this news is part of a bright future for 19th Century Willowbrook Village and Newfield. We also hope those who have not visited the site, will make the trip to learn about local history and support a local landmark.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. 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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