The Future Living History Center

Society expansion: Our Little Village continues to grow

In November 2010, the Society formed a separate corporation called October House LLC and with the generous help of members and friends providing the down payment, purchased one of the historic homes in Windham Center. The Reeves family had lived here for several generations and the home, barn, workshop and shed – and more than two acres of fields – abuts the back of the Historical Society.

In the ten years since then, the Society has watched with pride as our dream for a living history center has begun to come true.

In 2012, the South Windham Library was moved from its location of close to 100 years on the Windham/Gorham town line to the Village Green. Today, it is on its permanent foundation and ready for renovations.

What was once Reeve’s Gun Shop is now The Village School, a genuine replica of a schoolhouse of the late 1890s. Living history classes for students in grades 3 and 5 have been very popular with local students who enjoy dressing up and experiencing a slice of life at the end of the 19th century.

In 2018 with the help of Society members and friends of the Society, a blacksmith shop was erected on the Green. This building is a work in progress that will open to the public on occasion until all renovations are complete.

A gazebo was added to the Green in 2019. It is hoped the Society will host concerts here or possibly, a bride and groom or two might choose to tie the knot in this charming setting.

In 2020, a major fundraising effort was undertaken to provide funds to remove the iconic Old Grocery store from the corner of Windham Center Road and Route 202 to the Green. The Society raised $41,000 in the effort and the building was transported to its permanent new location on October 30, 2020. Much cleanup and many renovations must be made before we can open its doors to the public, but it is wonderful to see it on our Village Green.

We’ve made huge strides in the past ten years and we hope to make many more in the future. A barn is a project for coming years and improvements to the Old Town House Museum and Windham Circulating Library are also in the plans.

To be part of this exciting project, contact the Society at 207-892-1433.

Keep History in the Making.

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