WASHBURN, Maine — The Salmon Brook Historical Society will keep its Wilder House Museum and Aroostook County Agricultural Museum closed for the time being in light of statewide COVID-19 precautions, but plans for an expansion are still in the works.
The society’s board of directors met recently to begin their summer season. As with so many organizations throughout the state, this year will look different due to the coronavirus.
“As a board, we have decided to remain closed to visitors until new guidelines are released,” said Larry Hallowell, board president. “Before the end of the summer, we’d like to be open by appointment to families and small groups for a donation to the museum.”
Typically, he said, the museum hosts many area schools and local clubs for tours, and throughout the summer, they are open to the public to walk through both the house and barn, viewing artifacts of what life was like in Aroostook County many years ago. All tours and visiting hours were hosted by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Because of social distancing and measures in place to limit exposure to the coronavirus, the museum must remain closed at this time.
Last fall, before closing for the winter, the board voted to approve an expansion project, pending funding. The addition has been estimated to cost $35,000, Hallowell said, but it has become necessary to expand to accommodate donated items. The downstairs will house more farm equipment and the upstairs will be home to an expanded veterans display, historical photo gallery and a library of reading materials.
The annual Tea and Quilt Show, usually held in August, has been cancelled. This is the group’s largest fundraiser and its absence will be felt.
“We’ve always counted on that fundraiser to help raise the funds needed to maintain the museum,” said Hallowell. “We will have to be creative in our fundraising efforts this year to get funds for the addition and our regular maintenance projects.”
The annual quilt raffle, however, is still taking place and a winner will be drawn in September. This year’s quilt, once again made and donated by Jill Fox, is titled “A Walk Around The County” and features a variation of the “Around the World” pattern in an array of beautiful colors.
Tickets are $1 each or $5 for 6 tickets and can be purchased by contacting Wanita Hallowell (863-398-0311), Rita Kingsbury (207-429-9359) or Patty Reed (207-455-4431).
The Wilder House was built in 1852 by Benjamin Wilder to be used as the family home. Since 1985, it has been used as a museum and a local treasure. Inside the Wilder House Museum, one can enjoy displays in all rooms of the house to learn what life was like from the 1800s forward.
The Aroostook County Agricultural Museum Barn was added in 1986 to house countless artifacts from various time periods. The museum boasts farming tools of all kinds, including old tractors and potato farming equipment. There is an old-time blacksmith’s corner with a bellow. Upstairs in the barn, there are carpentry and logging displays and plenty of other eye-catching items from the past.
Anyone wanting to contribute to the museum or the expansion project can mail donations to SBHS, c/o Larry Hallowell, P.O. Box 71, Washburn, ME 04786.
