Windham Maine Historical Society

Windham Maine Historical Society Windham Historical Society - Windham, Maine - Preserving the Past. Building the Future.

06/02/2026

It’s another new month and we’re 6 months into the year! That went quickly. I think little Buster Gilman just went through the longest nine days of his life. He had an awful case of measles. Sounds like he’s feeling better on..,

June 1, 1940

Rainy in the a.m., sunny in the p.m. 74 degrees. Buster went outdoors for the first time since he came down with the measles. (May 23)
Mrs. Maynard called this afternoon.

06/01/2026

It was a kind of lazy Sunday, but I did accomplish a few things. It was a rainy day for Alice Gilman as well, but she kept very busy on…

May 31, 1940

Rainy. 62 degrees. Put my plants out in the ground. Planted cosmos. Started new rug and a smaller rug to put by the front door.

05/31/2026

Getting this entry in in just the knick of time! It was Memorial Day in 1940 and this how Alice celebrated the day…

May 30, 1940

Sunny. 80 degrees. Buster got up and dressed today. I took flowers up to my father’s and mother’s and Peggy’s graves. Margaret went away with Harry for the day. Worked on my rug this afternoon and evening.

Note: Buster has been very sick with the measles for a week. It’s good to hear he’s feeling better.

05/30/2026

We were lucky the rain held off for much of the day. It’s here now and feeling damp and cold outside

Let’s see what things were like on…

May 29, 1940

Cloudy. 70 degrees. Buster is feeling better, but he’s still in bed. The measles are not gone yet. Gillie and his children sent $4 worth of flowers to Farmington.

Note: Gillie’s mother Grammie Gilman lived in Farmington NH. Gillie and Alice visit her, usually in the warmer months. May 30 was Memorial Day so the flowers were probably for the graves of family members who served in the military.

05/28/2026

There will be some exciting announcements about the Society coming soon. Keep your eyes open! In the meantime, let’s take a look at Alice Gilman’s day on…

May 27, 1940

Sunny. 80 degrees at noon. Was up bout all night tending Buster. He was so sick. A little after 5, I started the wash. Margaret washed the kitchen and dining room floors and I waxed them. Put all my plants on the front porch.

With Memorial Day just behind us, I’d like to remember our former Secretary Karen Lougee who passed away last year. Lila...
05/27/2026

With Memorial Day just behind us, I’d like to remember our former Secretary Karen Lougee who passed away last year. Lilacs were her favorite flower and they bring back memories of the loving wife and mother, beloved “Gammie” and wonderful friend that Karen was. She is missed.

And if you missed your daily dose of the Alice Gilman diary,
This is her recollection of…

May 26, 1940

Rainy. 66 degrees. Buster is awful sick with a high fever. Kenneth swapped his car. Got a ‘33 Chevy. Gillie got Webber to put a running board on the car and we got all new spark plugs.

05/24/2026

Memorial Day weekend is here! I’m going to do a Weekend Special and post all of Alice’s diary entries for the weekend tonight.

May 22, 1940

Mr. Varney put in a wall plug in the front room. Paid $2,50. Worked on rug this evening.

May 23, 1940

Rainy. 54 degrees. Buster did not go to school today. His stomach felt bad. Alice and Dawn come down and spent the afternoon. Worked on a rug this evening.

May 24, 1940

Rainy. 54 degrees. Got a letter from Richard. Buster was a little feverish tonight. I think he is coming on with the measles. Harry Libby was in to see Margaret. Worked on my rug til 11 p.m.

May 25, 1940

Buster started to break out with old-fashioned measles. Worked on my rug til 10:30.

05/21/2026

A summery day as we head toward the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day.

Let’s take a look back a few years to what it was like on…

May 20, 2940

Bertha called in. Alice and Cliff and children called. We went for a ride this afternoon.

A Reminder…The Windham Historical Sociery is open Wednesdays from 9 to Noon. We’ll be in the yellow South Windham Librar...
05/20/2026

A Reminder…
The Windham Historical Sociery is open Wednesdays from 9 to Noon. We’ll be in the yellow South Windham Library. We can tell you about the needed renovations to the Old Town House while you’re there. Pay us a visit and have some fun with history!

05/19/2026

For some reason, there was no diary entry for May 18 to be found, so here is Alice Gilman’s recollection of…

May 19, 1940

Rainy. 58 degrees. Done week’s washing. Margaret went to Portland for the day with Alice. Alice and Margie Manchester called in. I worked on my rug this evening.

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Windham, ME
04062

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