Hancock Lumber donates material to Norlands’ barn-raising

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Norlands' original barn, which was lost in a fire in 2008.
Norlands’ original barn, which was lost in a fire in 2008.

LIVERMORE – The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is thrilled to announce Hancock Lumber’s donation of 12,000 board feet of their own Eastern White Pine boards to be used to help rebuild the historic barn at Norlands.

In July, the Norlands embarked upon a capital campaign to raise the $250,000 needed to complete the barn, which was lost to fire in 2008.

“The barn is Norlands’ primary classroom and heart of our working farm,” remarked Sheri Leahan, director. “Our farm programs are a valuable resource to Maine’s schoolchildren and are incomplete without the barn. This significant gift brings us that much closer to having a working barn in 2014.”

The new barn’s design and footprint matches the barn originally constructed by the Washburn family in 1867. The expense of following required building and life-safety codes has added a great deal to the cost of replacing the barn. The Norlands Board of Trustees and volunteers are reaching out and asking individuals, families, businesses, and foundations for help. Gifts of all sizes make a positive impact. People can donate in various ways with cash, pledges, gifts of stock, donations of materials, or making a gift to the online fundraising campaign found at www.norlands.org.

One of Hancock Lumber’s values is stewardship – not only toward the company, but toward the community as well. Established in 1848, Hancock is a 6th generation family owned business. Hancock is one of the largest, most dynamic and vertically integrated lumber companies in New England with 420 employees serving over 10,000 customers annually. The company currently operates 7 traditional lumberyards, 2 discount outlet stores, three state-of-the-art Eastern White Pine sawmills, and a 7,000 sq. ft. design showroom, Home Again by Hancock Lumber. Hancock Land Company also owns and manages 15,000 acres of timberland in Southern and Western Maine and prides itself on sustainable forestry.

The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is a multifaceted museum offering in-depth experiences in 19th century rural life. Its mission is to preserve the heritage and traditions of rural life in Maine’s past, to celebrate the achievements of Livermore’s Washburn family, and to use living history methods to make values, activities, and issues of the past relevant to present and future generations.

For more information about the Norlands and how to help Raise the Barn and Rebuild the Magic, visit www.norlands.org, call 207-897-4366, or email norlands@norlands.org.

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