The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center

04/27/2026

Take a step into nature and a step back in time on Saturday at the Norlands for our annual Jane's Walk. We'll walk through an old forest and explore all that it provided for the families in the Crossroads Neighborhood of 19th-century Livermore, Maine.

Jane's Walk is from 10am - 11:30am on Saturday, May 2 and free to all (donations welcome). To learn more and let us know you are coming, go to Norlands.org and click on Jane's Walk.

04/25/2026

Happy Birthday to General Cadwallader C. Washburn, Governor of Wisconsin, Congressman from Wisconsin and founder of Washburn-Crosby Gold Medal Flour. His brothers voted him the most accomplished of the seven, which is quite a superlative. Cad received lots of superlatives in his lifetime, in fact, he even named his flour Washburn 's Superlative Flour but that tricky word was not ideal for promoting his flour. When he won the Gold Medal at the First Millers International Exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio So, "Washburn's Superlative Flour" was renamed "Washburn 's Gold Medal Flour". Made in the same Minneapolis, Minnesota mill since 1880, it has remained America's best-selling flour and became the foundation of General Mills.

Cad always said that his greatest accomplishment was his service as a General in the Civil War, fighting to end slavery and preserve the Republic, but if you are a baker, his flour - and his contribution to flour milling technology worldwide - is a close second!

04/21/2026

Just one more day till our April Break Spring Fun Day at the Norlands complete with School in 1870 and Baking on the Woodstove as well as lots of early spring activity on the farm. The time is Wednesday, April 22 from 10am - 1:30pm. The cost is $15 for the first adult/child pair then $15 for any additional children and adults. Don't forget a picnic lunch!

Tickets are available at Norlands.square.site



norlands.square.site/?utm_campaign=Spring&utm_content=Sign%20up

04/21/2026

On Saturday, May 2 from 10am - 11:30am, join us for Jane's Walk 2026, a unique exploration of the woods that built the Norlands. Travel on the same carriage trails used by residents of Livermore from the 1800s. Experience the Pools of Simeon created from a natural spring by William Drew Washburn. Stand on the foundations of homes lost to time while listening to tales of their residents. Learn about the trees and how they were used by farm families in this crossroads neighborhood. Visit the final resting place of several Washburns, their neighbors, and Civil War soldiers in the Waters Hill Cemetery.

We recommend that guests wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and bring along bug spray for this activity. A shuttle will be available for those who would prefer a ride to the top of Waters Hill to walk the cemetery.

Jane's Walk is free, but you can sign up here so we'll know you are coming! Donations are welcome if you wish - but on this special day, nothing means more than seeing you.

We've put a link to sign up on our square site so you can let us know you are coming - since our website remains down, this is the best way we can think to have information out there and see who is interested in coming! norlands.square.site

04/18/2026

Our Web server is down, but you can still order tickets to our events, Spring Fun and Jane's Walk as well as Farm to Table Dinners at Norlands.org, our homepage. Click on the order tickets blue bar on the front page. If that does not work, go to norlands.square.site . We should be back up on Monday. Thanks for understanding!

04/17/2026

April break has begun - and we want to welcome you to the Norlands! On Wednesday, April 22, we are hosting a Spring Fun day complete with Baking in the Kitchen on the Woodstove, School in the Schoolhouse and more exciting 1870s activities. This is a wonderful way to live a different day with a group of friends.

Our day starts at 10am and end at 1:30 pm. The first adult chaperone for each child is free, however donations are welcome. Admission for additional adults is $15. Please bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on our lawn.

Note, this is a child-centered event, not an adult historic site tour (we offer those daily at 2pm in the spring).

Tickets are available at norlands.square.site

04/15/2026

04/14/2026

Having a little free-range fun at the Norlands.

04/11/2026

April Break is just around the corner... so join us at the Norlands for two special days. April 22 we have a Norlands Sampler Day where you will bake on the woodstove, go to school in 1870 and learn the story of the Washburn Busy Cradle. April 24, we have a Nooning, where you will make a lunch of beef stew, cornbread and nutmeg cake on the wood stove, learn carpentry in the barn, explore 19th century fashion, take a scavenger hunt in the mansion and play games on the lawn.

April 22 10am - 1:30pm $15 per child with one adult, $15 for additional children & Adults

April 24 10am - 2:30pm - $30 per child/adult pair, $20 for additional children and adults not in a pair. This includes lunch.

Please note this is a child centered day at the Norlands. Tickets available at Norlands.org or norlands.square.site

04/10/2026

We’re baking up a great spring season at the Norlands! This is a perfect time to plan a visit for a school field trip, homeschool day, adult group visit or historic site tour.

Site tours from April through November are available to book on our website - our Living History Days on Saturdays in July and August are too. For everything else, fill out the form on our website and we will get things rolling!

03/21/2026

We've got some big news for Maple Sunday - there are more reasons that pancakes to come to the Norlands tomorrow - our wool is in!

Imagine meeting the sheep who made your wool... a once in a lifetime experience. Ebony, Leona and Astrid produced some incredible wool this year that is perfect for hats, sweaters and other knit and crocheted creations. Wool is available in our gift shop or by mail order. When you buy or visit with your finished product, you'll have the opportunity to meet your sheep and take a photo!

The processed and skeined Lopi Worsted Wool 100% wool and $30 per 100 gram skein. Our sheep are Ebony - Black, Leona - Grey & Astrid - Brown.

03/20/2026

Just 2 days until Maple 🍁 Sunday and we are getting the wood stoves fired up! Come join us March 22 from 9am - Noon to enjoy pancakes, local sausage and more!

$10 adults / $5 children purchase tickets at Norlands.org or on site Sunday.