When Windham’s original Town Hall first opened in 1833, town business was steady in the prosperous and growing community, and the “Town House” building was at the forefront of local activity. Now almost two centuries later, the building is the focus of a renewed effort to connect future generations with the past.
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| Windham Historical Society has launched a fundraising campaign to continue renovation work at the Old Town House on the grounds of Village Green in Windham Center. The 1833 structure once served as Windham's original town hall. Planned renovation work will restore the original 19th century structure and create a building consistent with that era. FILE PHOTO |
“This is our premier historic building,” Windham Historical Society President Susan Simonson recently told the Windham Town Council, “and it is literally crumbling.”
Volunteers are seeking donations support for what would amount to a full rehabilitation for the historical structure including concrete for structural support, plumbing and electrical upgrades, ADA accessibility, mold remediation, a new staircase, and a second egress. The building currently houses valuable artifacts stored by the historical society, some accessible only by what Simonson told councilors is described as a “glorified ladder.”
Last June concerns arose about a floor at the Old Town House and if it had adequate structural support to safely hold the original town safe, and for a crawl space with need for extensive remediation. It evolved into a major reconstruction project.
Because of these serious concerns, Windham Historical Society hired Forge & Quill, a Windham company experienced with renovation of old buildings for an assessment. In the process of determining the flooring issue, Forge and Quill eventually needed to peel back the multiple layers of prior renovations and revealed the original structure and construction integrity of the building.
A list was formulated of the requirements necessary to bring the building into a 21st century, code-approved, functional display, record holding office, and public meeting facility.
Simonson said that the historic 1833 Town Hall, the purpose of which is to serve Windham’s citizenry today as it did almost 200 years ago, anchors the historical society’s Village Green and is home to genealogy records, deeds, original town documents, Civil War letters, photos of Windham, artifacts, books, and more. It is the doorway to the Village Green behind it, a society project begun about 13 years ago where guests may visit the seven period buildings and outdoor structures and imagine life in rural Windham in the late 1800s.
The goal of Windham Historical Society is to ensure that this gem of a building will withstand another 200 years to serve the greater Windham community area historically, educationally, and socially, she said.
“Restoration of this significant, 1833 brick building is without question, the most extensive project ever undertaken by Windham Historical Society,” Simonson said. “The society has already invested $35,000, which includes demolition of earlier revisions to the building and moving the 2.5 ton safe from the raised floor in the central section of the building. The safe’s eventual home will be on the cement base foundation discovered beneath the multiple layers of floorboards during deconstruction as this early footing has been determined to be structurally sound for the safe’s new location.”
According to the book “Windham in the Past” by Samuel Dole, in June 1735, the 63 grantees of what was then known as New Marblehead recognized the need for and held their first regular meeting at Marblehead. Among other agreed to items, it was voted that” there shall be Annually a Proprietors’ Meeting Called on the first Thursday of the month of March.” It was further agreed to select a clerk and officers, transact business, and call other meetings as necessary.
From 1790 to 1830, the District of Maine and Windham experienced substantial growth and change. Windham’s citizen population had more than doubled from 938 during the first census in 1790 to 2,182 by 1830. Maine had become a U.S. state in 1820, and the town’s industrious and independent spirit was alive and strong.
By 1832, creation of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, coursing through Sebago Lake and along the Presumpscot River, had launched a vast economic opportunity for area residents. It was then that “it became necessary to find quarters to accommodate the increased numbers of voters,” and to transact the town’s business. In 1833, the Old Town House was constructed, and the building was “fitted with a fire-proof safe.”
Inside the building, the town clerk presided on a slightly raised platform, to conduct town business, oversee voting and elections, issue licenses, permits, fines, discuss relief applications, and address local concerns.
Town meetings drew residents like Ephraim Cobb, Daniel Freeman, Josiah Webb, David Swett, Isaac Elder and brought to order the farmers, owners of grist, carding, and sawmills, tanners, blacksmiths, carpenters, manufacturers of wooden kegs, woolen cloth, shoemakers, furniture makers, and of course, lawyers. John Eveleth, a lawyer, moved to Windham in 1819 and served as the town clerk from 1823 to 1841 and multiple times afterward.
The Old Town House features wooden supports that arc above the 13-foot double brick wall, looking much like the ribs of an inverted canoe, and originally was covered with horsehair plaster designed to control the building’s acoustics. Overhead and in view are cross beams, the ridge pole, and planking for an upstairs classroom. Near the entrance are an original framing post with markings.
Joseph W. Knight of Standish opened a high school in the town hall in 1864. A state law enacted of 1893 established Windham High School, and classes were obliged to be held at the Old Town House until a new high school building opened in 1910.
Simonson said the Old Town House is the doorway to the Village Green behind it, a historical society project started about 13 years ago where visitors can visit the seven period buildings and outdoor structures and imagine life in rural Windham in the late 1800s.
“The goal of Windham Historical Society is to ensure that this gem of a building will withstand another 200 years to serve the greater Windham community area historically, educationally, and socially,” she said. “To that end, Windham Historical Society has begun a major fundraising campaign to provide financial support for this $900,000 renewal and 21st century update. Its progress will be demonstrated by the fund thermometer in front of the brick building and you can help. Please donate and ask your family and Facebook friends to participate also.”
Donations may be made through the Windham Historical Society’s website at windhamhistorical.org (donation tab) or by using the QR code on the thermometer sign; or checks may be mailed to Windham Historical Society, PO Box 1475, Windham, Maine 04062; please note on the check that it is for the brick building.
Windham Historical Society is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. A contribution of $5,000 or more will receive permanent recognition on a plaque in the completed 1833 Windham Town Hall.
“We recognize the sheer size and cost for this project will be multi-phase and span several years,” Simonson said. “Pledges made over a three- to five-year time frame are also appreciated.”
The historical society is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays through mid-October at the organization’s temporary office (the South Windham Library, a yellow building on the Village Green) and it welcomes those who wish to see the project and the renovation progress being made. <
Last June concerns arose about a floor at the Old Town House and if it had adequate structural support to safely hold the original town safe, and for a crawl space with need for extensive remediation. It evolved into a major reconstruction project.
A list was formulated of the requirements necessary to bring the building into a 21st century, code-approved, functional display, record holding office, and public meeting facility.
Simonson said that the historic 1833 Town Hall, the purpose of which is to serve Windham’s citizenry today as it did almost 200 years ago, anchors the historical society’s Village Green and is home to genealogy records, deeds, original town documents, Civil War letters, photos of Windham, artifacts, books, and more. It is the doorway to the Village Green behind it, a society project begun about 13 years ago where guests may visit the seven period buildings and outdoor structures and imagine life in rural Windham in the late 1800s.
The goal of Windham Historical Society is to ensure that this gem of a building will withstand another 200 years to serve the greater Windham community area historically, educationally, and socially, she said.
“Restoration of this significant, 1833 brick building is without question, the most extensive project ever undertaken by Windham Historical Society,” Simonson said. “The society has already invested $35,000, which includes demolition of earlier revisions to the building and moving the 2.5 ton safe from the raised floor in the central section of the building. The safe’s eventual home will be on the cement base foundation discovered beneath the multiple layers of floorboards during deconstruction as this early footing has been determined to be structurally sound for the safe’s new location.”
According to the book “Windham in the Past” by Samuel Dole, in June 1735, the 63 grantees of what was then known as New Marblehead recognized the need for and held their first regular meeting at Marblehead. Among other agreed to items, it was voted that” there shall be Annually a Proprietors’ Meeting Called on the first Thursday of the month of March.” It was further agreed to select a clerk and officers, transact business, and call other meetings as necessary.
From 1790 to 1830, the District of Maine and Windham experienced substantial growth and change. Windham’s citizen population had more than doubled from 938 during the first census in 1790 to 2,182 by 1830. Maine had become a U.S. state in 1820, and the town’s industrious and independent spirit was alive and strong.
By 1832, creation of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, coursing through Sebago Lake and along the Presumpscot River, had launched a vast economic opportunity for area residents. It was then that “it became necessary to find quarters to accommodate the increased numbers of voters,” and to transact the town’s business. In 1833, the Old Town House was constructed, and the building was “fitted with a fire-proof safe.”
Inside the building, the town clerk presided on a slightly raised platform, to conduct town business, oversee voting and elections, issue licenses, permits, fines, discuss relief applications, and address local concerns.
Town meetings drew residents like Ephraim Cobb, Daniel Freeman, Josiah Webb, David Swett, Isaac Elder and brought to order the farmers, owners of grist, carding, and sawmills, tanners, blacksmiths, carpenters, manufacturers of wooden kegs, woolen cloth, shoemakers, furniture makers, and of course, lawyers. John Eveleth, a lawyer, moved to Windham in 1819 and served as the town clerk from 1823 to 1841 and multiple times afterward.
The Old Town House features wooden supports that arc above the 13-foot double brick wall, looking much like the ribs of an inverted canoe, and originally was covered with horsehair plaster designed to control the building’s acoustics. Overhead and in view are cross beams, the ridge pole, and planking for an upstairs classroom. Near the entrance are an original framing post with markings.
Joseph W. Knight of Standish opened a high school in the town hall in 1864. A state law enacted of 1893 established Windham High School, and classes were obliged to be held at the Old Town House until a new high school building opened in 1910.
Simonson said the Old Town House is the doorway to the Village Green behind it, a historical society project started about 13 years ago where visitors can visit the seven period buildings and outdoor structures and imagine life in rural Windham in the late 1800s.
“The goal of Windham Historical Society is to ensure that this gem of a building will withstand another 200 years to serve the greater Windham community area historically, educationally, and socially,” she said. “To that end, Windham Historical Society has begun a major fundraising campaign to provide financial support for this $900,000 renewal and 21st century update. Its progress will be demonstrated by the fund thermometer in front of the brick building and you can help. Please donate and ask your family and Facebook friends to participate also.”
Windham Historical Society is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. A contribution of $5,000 or more will receive permanent recognition on a plaque in the completed 1833 Windham Town Hall.
“We recognize the sheer size and cost for this project will be multi-phase and span several years,” Simonson said. “Pledges made over a three- to five-year time frame are also appreciated.”
The historical society is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays through mid-October at the organization’s temporary office (the South Windham Library, a yellow building on the Village Green) and it welcomes those who wish to see the project and the renovation progress being made. <
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