“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.”



— Taylor Swift

Renting space at the Barn - let's talk soon!

Are you in a wool spinning club, regular book discussion group or maybe you have been looking for a commercial kitchen to rent?

The barn has three different meetings spaces to accommodate a range of activities and gatherings.

The commercial kitchen is perfect for someone who wants to start small with an idea....

On our website (woodlawnellsworth.org) there is a tab called The Barn - use the enquiry form to tell us about what you might want to do and someone will get back to you about a shared future!

A Candle to Light the Way

In the depth of winter, when darkness prevails, we are reminded that light is precious. In most early 19th century households, candles, lanterns and fires in the hearth provided just enough illumination to work and move about after dark. In Woodlawn’s Middle Kitchen visitors can see two modest tin objects, a candle mold and a pierced lantern, that serve as reminders of how little light was available in households before the introduction of gas and electric lighting.

First, it is important to note that these two objects are made of tin. Tin was once a popular material for everyday objects because it was lightweight, durable, and relatively inexpensive. Sometimes referred to as “poor man’s silver”, sheets of tin were shaped by tinsmiths into household items including utensils, candle molds, candlesticks, plates, pails, colanders, graters, baking pans, funnels, lanterns, and more. Woodlawn’s tin candle mold consists of twelve candle-shaped tubes joined together at a brim. To make candles, cotton wicks were knotted at one end and threaded through the tapered point at the bottom of each tube. The other end of the wick was tied to a rod across the top (brim) of the mold. Hot wax was poured into the tubes and allowed to cool. Then the individual candles were removed and stored until needed.

Woodlawn’s pierced tin lantern could hold one candle. This type of lantern, sometimes

called a “stable lantern” was light weight, sturdy, and easily carried by a top ring when carried between buildings. The lantern’s pierced tin sides protected the lighted candle from wind and rain while also casting just enough light to see the path ahead. The candlelight radiate through the “dot and dash” design giving 360 degree illumination in an interesting pattern. Since lantern piercings could be customized, the light pattern could help identify the carrier of the lantern in the dark.

From the Caretakers......

Now that the lights and the holidays are behind us, we will soon close the 'out' half of driveway for the winter. When this happens - there will be signs - the 'in' part of the driveway becomes both in and out! Drive slowly and carefully! The 'out' section gets too icy for safe passage in winter weather.

We will plow the lower parking lot for those who enjoy the sledding and we encourage dog walkers to continue to use that lower lot for their trail walks while we remove the holiday lights and downed trees (there are over 20 of them in the outer trail loops - be careful!)

When driving to the lower lot to park, be extra careful if you see kids and families sledding! All sledding should start below the driveway, near the two granite gateposts. The sled library will return soon. Fingers crossed we can host the cardboard sled races again as part of the Winter Carnival in February - we just need snow and cold weather.

Skating on the pond will also return when there is consistent freezing temperatures. We will put signs in the parking lot and at the pond indicating when we feel it is safe.

Watch our social media to learn about special winter activities. We may have a pop-up firepit at the pond if there is an opportunity for full moon skating....

Calling all interested presenters, volunteers, members!

We will be inviting interested people to a gathering in February. Put on your thinking cap and imagine how you will be involved in this exciting program, brought back to the people of Ellsworth.

Email info@woodlawnellsworth.org

if you want to be on the mailing list!

Wish List:

Amazon let's us create a wish list - click the link and pick items to purchase that are mailed directly to us. We will recognize your generosity as a membership donation!

Binoculars

Game Camera

Headlamps

Leaf blower

Rubber wheel snow blower

Wood chipper

Woodlawn

P.O. Box 1478

Ellsworth, Maine 04605

(207) 667-8671

For general questions, click here