Remember---Farm implements of every type and description can be found in the special farm implement display area of the Newfield restoration project, Willowbrook at Newfield. One of the unique pieces is an old snow roller seen here in back of the horse drawn manure spreader. Snow rollers were used in hamlets throughout the country before the dawn of the gasoline engine.
19th Century Village Restoration Set To Open For Second Season
Newfield---Willowbrook at Newfield, a unique restoration and re-creation of a 19th century village, will open for its second season May 1.
Said to be the only 19th century village museum of its kind in this country, it will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October 1.
The laborious restoration work continued all through the winter. men and women often worked in subzero weather in unheated buildings.
[Georgia Perry, Director-Curator] ...to our craft shop area, and completed an unmarried maiden's room in our Dr. Isaac Trafton House."
The major objective of the project, she pointed out, "is to preserve a part of our heritage that might have been lost. Most importantly, we want to bring the presence of a bygone era to today's youngsters."
She also reported that a major recruitment program is under way to attract visiting school groups, church groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops and youth groupsof every type. Organized group tours of such youngsters, as well as other special groups, such as senior citizens, are admitted at reduced group rates.
mrs. perry pointed out that some of the most avid patrons last summer were senior citizens. "It was amazing to see some of these people come back four or five times during the season and just sit under a shady tree and drink in the 19th century atmosphere. " she added.
The Willowbrook Village, complete with general store, one room schoolhouse, completely restored houses, shops, displays of buggies and sleighs, clothing of the period and a myriad of 19th century paraphernalia, is the brainchild of Massachusetts business executive Donald F. King Sr.
king foresaw the possibilities that existed here when he purchased one of the buildings about five years ago---with a hunting camp in mind.
"Since work began in 1967, this dream, combined with a labor of love, a never ending investment of money and just plain hard work, has finally become a reality," he said during a recent interview.
king is a perfectionist and insists on complete authenticity. "And we aren't finished yet," he stated. "A crew of at least 10 workers has continued throughout the winter, doing all those jobs necessary to keep any village in shape. Just the routine carpentry, painting and fix-up projects are a major undertaking."
"These are the basics," he continued, "I have a major development plan that will put Newfield on the map nationally as a true historic site. Its going to take us time and more money to complete the project, however.
'My plans for the next five years are still in the works at this point and are not quite ready to be announced. I can assure everyone, however, that what we do at Willowbrook will be done tastefully and in only the finest traditions of an educational and nostalgic museum.
"Willowbrook at Newfield will never become another 'honky-tonk' tourist attraction, the community, the environment and the serene peace of a quiet Maine village must remain intact," he stressed.
Mrs. G.A. Perry, director-curator, pointed out that much has been accomplished since last summer.
"We have restored six additional carriages, including one owned by Maine's first governor William King; completed a new carriage display area; completed a new baby carriage display and toy display and included new objects in virtually hundreds of small areas throughout the village, she reported.
We have also completely refurbished our antique shop, included both a small gift shop and a Victorian furniture shop.
Nursery in the Dr. Isaac Trafton Homestead at Willowbrook, Newfield, includes a variety of toys, dolls and and "things for the children" that will delight the youngsters and bring back memories of another era to senior citizens. The only 19th Century Village Museum of its kind in the country, Willowbrook is a complete village depicting life in Newfield during its peak. It is located just off Route 11 in Newfield and includes the Durgin Homestead, built in 1813; the Trafton Homestead, constructed in 1851, the Amos Straw Country Store, opened in 1859; craft shops, restaurant, antique shop, Victorian furniture shop, one-room school and many collections such as restored carriages, buggies, sleighs, clothing, equipment of period artisans, and everyday household necessities. Willowbrook is open through October 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a wee k. There is a nominal charge.
Off to Willowbrook: Over 80 third graders from both Lincoln and Hamlin Schools in Springvale spent a day at Willowbrook, Newfield, the only 19th Century museum of its kind in the country. Here, left to right, Patrick Knight, 27 Island avenue, Sanford Renee McKenney, 13A Old Mill Road, Sanford, and Mike Wentworth, wells Road, Sanford, board the bus. They are all members of Miss Smith's third grade class. Looking on is Mrs. Aan C. Tate, SAPTA Treasurer and a chaperone for the trip which was paid for by the Springvale Association of Parents and Teachers as one of its special projects.
The Carpentry Shop is one of the many displays of 19th Century Americana to be seen at Willowbrook Museum at Newfield, which will open this Saturday, May 1, for its second season. Willowbrook is a village in itself and is the only 19th century village museum of its kind in the nation. Although it already presents an amazing complete picture of life of that era, there are plans to develop the village further during the next five years, according to the owner, Massachusetts business executive Donald F. King, Sr.
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