The Old GROCERY
History in the Making
The Windham Historical Society made a little history of their own on Friday, September 25, 2020 when they moved the Old Grocery at the corner of Route 202 and Windham Center Road across the street to the Society’s Village Green. After a successful fundraising effort led by Society member Dorothy Samuelson, a sum of $41,000 was raised and this helped to make the move possible.
The Old Grocery ‘settled in’ on the Village Green.
Windham contractor Dave Johnson headed up the project, enlisting Cole Watson of Dana Watson and Son Building Mover to handle the physical move of the building. Also assisting were Jim Elder of M.L. Rogers and Society member Bruce Elder. It was a cold and windy morning, but despite the weather, some Society members braved the elements and were on hand to watch the historic move. It was exciting to see the building being lifted from its foundation and then safely hauled to the Society grounds via a John Deere tractor.
This historical moment was captured on video by the Historical Society’s curator, Penny Loura.
The Old Grocery was placed on its permanent location on the Green on October 30, 2020. It is a welcome addition to the grounds. It will be become a living history museum that will replicate a country merchantile of the late 19th century. Many artifacts for the store’s displays have already been gathered, most donated by Windham residents and Historical Society members. Work on the building will begin in the spring of 2021 when the weather permits.
Schoolhouse
The Village School is all ready to welcome students. Teachers from Windham and other nearby communities will be receiving letters from the School Committee inviting them to bring their scholars on a two-hour trip back in time. Classes will be offered from mid-April to late May and in September. Home school groups, girl scout troops, and adults are welcome to pay the School a visit. Contact Walter Lunt (653-3421), Paula Sparks (892-8905), or Haley Pal (892-7139) for more details.
(Due to COVID 19, The Village School is temporarily closed.)
The Village School is ideal for a living history experience.
Exterior of the Schoolhouse
The South Windham Library
The little yellow South Windham Library is now on its permanent location on the Village Green. Now the Society is ready to start thinking about the building’s interior. Some improvements will include putting up wainscoting using salvaged wood from our inventory on the inside walls, installing a dropped ceiling that looks like tin, and pulling up some old carpeting in the original section of the building. When complete, the Library will be opened as a museum that will focus on the South Windham section of Windham and the railroad that was once a vital part of that community.
The ell on the South Windham Library is in place. More work will begin when the snow melts in the back field.
Close up of the brackets that were salvaged to be re-used on the addition
The Blacksmith Shop
The Village Blacksmith Shop has come a long way in a short amount of time. Construction is complete and now the Society can focus on cleaning up the interior and designing an exhibit featuring old tools that the Society has gathered over the years. Society member John Kruger has donated an old set of bellows to display in the building as well. Then all we need is a freestanding forge to complete the picture of a 19 th century blacksmith shop.
The Gazebo
The Village Green Gazebo is in place on the center of the Green. It is hoped the Society can present concerts and host programs from this centerpiece of our Village Green.
A Bird’s eye view from the Gazebo. The Old Grocery has arrived!