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February 2025 Newsletter

Winter at Woodlawn


Woodlawn is at the height of its Winter beauty! Come see for yourselves, or warm up in The Barn for today's Craft & Farmers’ Market from 10AM - 1PM. The trails and grounds are open for hiking, sledding, snow-shoeing, or cross country skiing. Keep an eye out for skating as we clear the pond! We hope you are able to come visit Woodlawn as we embrace the beautiful seasonality the site exemplifies.


Although this is a quieter time for us we are excited to be able to continue offering events and programs through the winter months. The support of so many that made not only the Barn’s construction possible but its continual operations, means we can offer year round programming. These programs include our homeschool offerings, as well as public programs like our upcoming Science Saturday and Cyanotype printing.


Join us on Monday, the 3rd for the next talk in our History Lecture Series. Bangor Historical Society curator, Matthew Bishop will be speaking about the historical and architectural significance of Mount Hope Cemetery, the nation’s second oldest garden cemetery.


We are grateful to Legacy Properties of Sotheby’s International Realty for making the History Lecture Series possible this year. If you are interested in supporting our programming, or learning more about Woodlawn please reach out. We are always looking for new partners.


It is with regret that we announce the March 1st departure of our Executive Director, Evan Moats. Evan has been with Woodlawn since July of 2024 and has assisted us in a time of transition. While we hate to lose him, he leaves the organization in a much stronger position than when he started.


Please wish him well and let him know how much we appreciate his service to Woodlawn.


Charles Alexander

Board President

Meet our New Trustees

This month, we are excited to introduce you to one of our three new trustees, Christine Wellman.

Christine Wellman


Christine is a retired attorney by way of a Master’s in biochemistry. She previously served on the board of Loaves and Fishes and has been a long-time member of the Church of the Redeemer church committee in Sorrento.


Among varied interests, she enjoys sailing, gardening, fly fishing, painting, mah jongg, and the NYT Spelling Bee. A lifelong fiber artist, she is constantly experimenting with new techniques such as indigo vat dying/shibori. She also enjoys making quilt tops to donate to Project Linus and other charitable organizations.


She and her husband, Rick, spend as much time as possible in Sorrento – otherwise, they are on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

We are also saying goodbye to three of our trustees,

Walter Smalling, Todd Little-Siebold and Chelsea Sawyer.


Thank you for your service and for all that you have done for Woodlawn!

Winter Fun!

Skating on the pond and sledding on the front field are in full swing!

The snow and ice are cooperating...for now.


Both skating and sledding are from dawn to dusk and are at your own risk.


Skating on the pond is open only when conditions are safe. We have signs posted on the front gate, at the pond and on Facebook showing if skating is currently open or closed.


There is also a new story up on the Story Trail, The Iciest, Diciest, Scariest Sled Ride Ever! By Rebecca Rule. This story will be up until spring. We hope you enjoy reading it!

Private Rentals of The Barn

The Barn has been hosting birthday parties, baby showers, art classes, conferences, and more!


Visit our website and fill out an inquiry form to hold your next meeting or celebration at Woodlawn!

https://www.woodlawnellsworth.org/venue

Happy 209th birthday to

Mary Peters Black on February 23rd!


Mary Peters was the wife of John Black's son, George Nixon Black. She is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA along with her husband George, and three of their four children.

From the Archives

A Peaceful Resting Place

By Roz Rea, Trustee

 

       When the Blacks traveled to the Boston area they did more than conduct business. There was shopping to do, friends and family to visit, and special places or events to enjoy. Among the places they explored was Mount Auburn Cemetery in neighboring Cambridge, MA.


       This unique cemetery, founded by members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1831, was the first rural-park cemetery in the United States. Beginning with 72-acres of rural land, this non-sectarian burial ground, experimental garden and arboretum, would serve as a public park as well as a final resting place for Boston’s notable citizens. Its design included meticulously maintained roads and paths winding through a rolling landscape of ponds, beautiful plantings, small chapels and stone memorials. Soon, the concept of a park-cemetery was adopted by other cities most notably Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor (1834) and Laurel Hill in Philadelphia (1836).


       Mount Auburn is integral to Woodlawn’s story because George Nixon Black, his wife Mary Peters Black, and their three adult children are all buried there instead of in Maine. The family had moved from Ellsworth to Boston in 1859. Thanks to well established business and family connections, they navigated their way into the exclusive social world of their adopted city. Woodlawn became their summer retreat. In 1880, while at Woodlawn, George’s health declined and their annual summer stay was extended. George died at Woodlawn on October 2nd. Although he could easily have been buried at Woodlawn, the family decided to move his remains to Mount Auburn Cemetery.

      Receipts show that on October 25, 1880, Mary Black purchased a 890 sq. foot burial plot for $1223.75 and she paid an additional $667.50 for perpetual care. Peabody & Stearns Architects of Boston were engaged to design a sarcophagus-style monument which was fashioned in New York city.

A white pine tree was planted symbolizing Maine and the family’s wealth generated by the lumber industry. Each summer geraniums bloomed beside the monument.


       Mary Black was interred beside her husband in 1902. Their children, Marianne, Agnes, and George N. Black, Jr. also rest there and are remembered with simple headstones. You can visit the family plot today bounded by Eagle Avenue and Jonquil path.

Upcoming Events

History Lecture Series

Mount Hope Cemetery


February 3rd at 6PM


Bangor Historical Society Curator/Operations Manager, Matt Bishop will speak about the nation's second garden cemetery, Mount Hope Cemetery.


Built in 1834, Bangor’s 300 acre Mount Hope Cemetery is the nation's second oldest garden cemetery. It was designed by renowned architect Charles G. Bryant as part of a national movement to provide respite from grassless urban landscapes. Garden cemeteries were created as much for the living as for those who had passed on. During this talk we will discuss the building, expansion, residents, and some of the symbology in this beautiful Bangor cemetery.

RSVP

History of "Lumberjills"


March 3rd at 6PM


Alissa Wetherbee, owner of the Axe Women Loggers of Maine will speak about the history of "Lumberjills".


As men enlisted during WWI & WWII, women, who would soon be known as Lumberjills, answered the call with axes and saws. These unsung heros cleared land for farming, ran sawmills, and continued the production of timber for manufacturing products such as telegraph poles, airplane propellers, bridges & ammo boxes! Their hard work helped break gender stereotypes and paved the way for modern day female foresters. Learn about the challenges they faced & overcame! 




RSVP

Woodlawn's History Lecture Series is sponsored by:

Legacy Properties of Sotheby's International Realty. 

Science Saturdays

Winter Trees


February 8th

10AM-12PM

$10 per person


Join Maine Master Naturalist, Nick Noyes for a walk on Woodlawn's trails to learn about trees in winter as well as an inside portion learning to use field guides and identify tree types.


 In the event of bad weather this event maybe cancelled or postponed.


This is a family friendly event and children must be accompanied by an adult. 




Register

Nature Journaling


March 29th

1-3PM

$10 per person


Join Maine Master Naturalist, Karen Zimmerman for a workshop on nature journaling.


No art skills required, just curiosity about the world around us.


In the event of bad weather this event maybe cancelled or postponed.


This is open to ages 10+ and children must be accompanied by an adult.


Register

Upcoming Workshops

Experiment with natural patterns and mindful making through cyanotypes! This class will focus on the basics of cyanotype printing techniques with fabric and paper to create a series of prints and fabric patches.


Participants will capture shadows through cyanotype printing, utilizing seasonally foraged plants of the region as well as everyday objects that hold memory or visual intrigue to print with on coated cotton fabric and watercolor paper.

Register

This FREE workshop for educators of children ages 1-6 is full of fun hands-on activities that connect young children to nature with a focus on trees and the forest.


This workshop includes an activity filled guide that you can take home.

To learn more about the Trees and ME program visit the Project Learning Tree website: https://www.plt.org/curriculum/preschool-learning-experiences-trees-nature/



Space is limited to 10 teachers and pre-registration is required. 

Register

Woodlawn's Winter Craft & Farmers' Market continues with markets on February 1, March 8 and April 12.


Did you know that Woodlawn features its own pop up gift shop during our Winter Markets? Stop by to pick up one of our brand new Woodlawn logo winter hats, a copy of The House at Lobster Cove, and more!


We hope to see you there!


For any questions about the markets, please reach out to Venue Coordinator, Lesley Clisura at lesley.clisura@woodlawnellsworth.org

Woodlawn's newsletter is created by

Kelly Lunt, Education and Community Engagement Director.

If you have any questions about the newsletter please email: kelly.lunt@woodlawnellsworth.org

Please consider a gift to Woodlawn

today



Your support makes our mission possible,

where history connects people to place


Thank you!

Visit our website

Woodlawn

P.O. Box 1478

Ellsworth, Maine 04605

(207) 667-8671


For general questions, click here


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