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Now On Display

 

 

Windham Heroes

Beginning with the Revolution, Windham men and women have gone to war to preserve freedom. Visit our display of newspaper clippings, photographs and artifacts from many generations of local heroes.

 

 

New Acquisitions

 

 

Canal Boat Model

For 40 years, canal boats operated on the Cumberland & Oxford canal, providing transportation and shipping capability for people all the way from Portland into the interior of the Lakes Region. Boats, like the model shown here, had a small crew and at times were pulled along the narrow canal by horses on the adjacent “tow path”. The Society has a complete history of the canal, and this boat model, made by one of our members, graphically portrays the vanished boats.

Welcome to the
Windham Historical Society

 

We thank you for visiting our website!

 

Located in the beautiful Lakes Region, Windham is in an area of Maine frequented for centuries by natives who fished and hunted in the forests and waterways.

 

Windham was settled by mostly farmers, beginning in the middle 1700s. The agricultural tradition continued through most of the town’s history, until the industrial age. Several wars and societal changes have created the town we know today, which is primarily residential and includes a large commercial center.

 

 

Windham Historical Society maintains a splendid herb garden each year. Located near the ancient stone steps, the colorful plants provide a refreshing and aromatic feature to the old building.

 

Windham Historical Society was organized in 1967 for the purpose of preserving the town’s rich historical past and providing opportunities for the public to learn about their heritage.

 

The Society owns three buildings. Each one, now a museum, was an important center for the development of Windham and its citizens. These include a library, a corner grocery which included a cobbler shop and the first town house, which was also used as a school.

 

We are open May through November on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and by appointment at other times, for research, visiting displays and tours of our museums. Volunteers are on hand to provide assistance. To make an appointment, call 892-1433 and leave a message, email Kay Soldier at kso48@aol.com, or call Norma Rogers at 892-5608.

 

Whether you want to find out about your Windham ancestors, get the history of your house, locate an old photograph or visit the museums, we welcome you, one and all!

News

Summerfest 2010

Saturday, June 19, will find the Historical Society joining other community groups at Summerfest, a popular annual town-wide gala!

Read more.

 

Windham’s First Lot Marker Restored
Local Boy Scout David Lecleire chose for his Eagle Scout project, the restoration of the granite marker on River Road, which designates Lot No. 1 in the first division of 100 acre lots in Windham.

Read more.

 

Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair
The first Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair was a huge success in 2009 and it’s planned to repeat the event in 2010!

Read more.

Events

Monthly programs
The Society opens to the public in May and provides free programs of historic interest every month on the 4th Monday at 7 p.m. at the headquarters. Depending on the topic, occasionally programs will be elsewhere, and are publicized in advance. Some of the programs which have been finalized:

 

May -- Memorial Day
In conjunction with the American Legion, Windham Historical Society will prepare military displays for the open house to be held at the Windham Veterans Center, following the parade. A special part of this commemoration will be the public rededication of the Field-Allen School, so named in honor of Charles Field, first Windham soldier to be killed in World War I and James Allen, first soldier from Windham to be killed in World War II.

 

See more events under Programs

 

 

Windham Historical Society
P.O. Box 1475 • Windham, Maine 04062 • (207) 892-1433 • info@windhamhistorical.org • ©2009 WHS