A MUSEUM TOUR
The Woolwich Historical Society Museum is an amazing step back into time. There are many restored rooms that contain objects dating from the late 18th century through the early 20th century. Take a short tour with us!
The Woolwich Historical Society Museum is an amazing step back into time. There are many restored rooms that contain objects dating from the late 18th century through the early 20th century. Take a short tour with us!
Sir William Phips/Corliss Pottery/Seafaring in Woolwich
Take a look at artifacts from a local dig at the Phips Plantation in 2001. Examine Native American artifacts, and red ware pottery from the Corliss Pottery. All around, there are paintings of ships, and photos of Woolwich seafarers and boat builders.
In the parlor, see some of the ways that people relaxed after a working day. Notice the colorful crazy quilts, which ladies made to raise funds for charities. See the Epsom Organ, and the 1920’s Columbia Graphonola. Leaf through romances of the period. Notice the handwork in the case by the window.
Sewing Room
The sewing room features quilt and rug hooking frames, dress making in progress, and a New Home treadle sewing machine.
The room is dominated by an early 19th century loom. Also on display are spinning wheels used for differing purposes—spinning wool and spinning flax. Home-loomed blankets and bedspreads are on display.
Nursery
Almost all New England homes had a tiny room that served as a nursery. Our nursery has an infant cot, an early American cradle, a hooded doll cradle, as well as an infant chair, and clothing for children.
This room highlights butter making utensils such as churns, butter bowls, and butter molds, as well as the cooking implements of an earlier time. A large wood stove and an oak icebox demonstrate the challenges of producing a simple meal in the 19th century.
A more recent addition, the thirties pantry shows the “modern conveniences” of the early 20th century—a pressure cooker, vacuum cleaner, and bottler. Also on display are Depression Era glass dishes.
The women of the farm did laundry each Monday. It was the most labor intensive work on the whole farm. A hot water heater and its matching copper bucket show what a heavy job laundry could be. Also in this room are tubs and wringers, ironing boards, and a collection of aprons.
The shed, attached to the house, was the original barn of the property. Inside, there are tools that farmers would have used he would have had to sharpen his own tools, build his own outbuildings, fell his own trees, and doctor his own animals. The Milk Room shows how milk was stored and separated for the process of making butter.
Our barn is a modern replica of a typical post and beam construction. It contains a sledge and scoot for carrying heavy timber, as well as a carriage and two sleighs. Upstairs, there are exhibits on Maine’s ice harvesting industry, children’s toys, and winter sporting equipment such as sleds, skis, and ice skates.
While the 1757 Meeting House is not technically part of the museum, the museum director has the original key, and would be happy to take you on a tour. The building served as local church and town government center for over a hundred years.
Now, Visit in Person!
The Museum is open during July and August during specified hours, and can be opened off season for tours. Cost to visit is $3 per adult, $2.50 for seniors, students, and AAA members, and $1 for children under 12. Children under 6 are free, as are members of the Historical Society. Email us at whs@gwi.net for membership information.
The Museum is open during July and August during specified hours, and can be opened off season for tours. Cost to visit is $3 per adult, $2.50 for seniors, students, and AAA members, and $1 for children under 12. Children under 6 are free, as are members of the Historical Society. Email us at whs@gwi.net for membership information.