May Day! May Day! First Responders BBQ

“Your mental health is everything — prioritize it.

Make the time like your life depends on it,

because it does.”

— Mel Robbins

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose

Post pandemic 2021 was a time to reimagine community and in person events. The newly revised plans for a Barn at Woodlawn, a concept over 12 years in the dreaming and designing, were ready for the next Executive Director to implement. The drawings that I presented (my first official act) to the Ellsworth City Technical Review Team were of a smaller scale Barn than the 2019 version and included archival and collections storage space with rooms for research, lectures, and workshops and a large event space with adjacent patio and lawn area. Earlier that same year, the Trustees had committed to permanent, part-time caretakers so that the grounds and facilities would begin to get consistent and careful attention. Richard, Mike, and I have now been here for three years and the property, as we are regularly told, 'has never looked better." The years have sped past and I have enjoyed immensely working with the staff team. Hiring Education Director Kelly Lunt two years ago and watching the campus come to life through her creative, dynamic and original programs and events has been a joy. She and Richard conspired to make me enjoy Christmas! No small feat.

Thus, it was after a lot of soul-searching that I tendered my resignation effective June 30 to begin an early retirement. I realize that I need more time for myself and Woodlawn is ready for someone to take it to the next level. The closure that comes from wrapping up my mother's estate has been both liberating and a call to action - I am only responsible for me (and my pets!). I am grateful that I have this opportunity to make myself a priority in the autumn (winter if you go by hair color!) of my life.

Also submitting their resignations, to get back on track with their own retirement plans, are Richard Tupper and Mike Hangge. Both were drawn out of their respective retirements to help Woodlawn grounds and of course both were incredible through the construction process. There is simply no way we could have accomplished all that we have over these past three years without their careful stewardship and know how. I wish them all the best as they delve into their wood turning and custom woodworking endeavors.

Woodlawn has a lot to offer Ellsworth. The Trustees will find the next generation of stewards for this important property and I am as eager as everyone to see it continue to evolve. The beauty about history is that it continues to be written in the present moment. We are chapters in a very long book. I had my time and look forward to handing on the feather quill (historic joke!). Just remember dear readers, Woodlawn was a gift to Ellsworth - the grounds are open dawn to dusk, the Barn will soon be a place for you to rent for a gathering or to come to a workshop. Its vibrancy depends upon those who visit and enjoy it! Next month I hope to be able to share more about transition plans and the summer events schedule.

Thanks for caring about Woodlawn.

Kathy Young

director@woodlawnellsworth.org

Looking back to what the caretaker was planting in 1878

Photo caption: The pay receipt for Fred’s salary, $20 per month paid twice a year.

“I have got the potatoes and garden planted, and the rocks picked off from the land that I shall sow tomorrow if pleasant… There are some spots on that piece where the potatoes was last year that the grass did not come up, do you think it is best to sow some on there and rool [sic] it in…Have got Mrs. Black’s flower seeds planted… Part of the trees we set out are doing well and the woodbine. I set about twelve trees up where the old ice house was.”-Fred H. Osgood to George Nixon Black, May 26, 1878.

Immediately after the death of John Black’s widow, Frances Black, in 1874, George N. Black, Sr and his wife Mary were active, although mostly absentee, owners of the Woodlawn estate and began restoring it as a working farm and a summer retreat. From their home in Boston, the couple directed a housekeeper and various farm hands to freshen up the house and grounds to make it attractive for their periodic visits.

One of the people George hired in 1875 to assist with the farm was Fred Osgood, then age 17. Fred was born and raised in Ellsworth, the son of a lumberman he employed. Evidence suggests that Osgood lived in town and walked to work at Woodlawn each day. It is unclear how long Fred continued working at Woodlawn after George died in 1880. We know that Fred married Minnie Means of Ellsworth on December 26, 1888, and that they had three children. In the 1910 census, Fred Osgood is listed as a homeowner and proprietor of a carriage shop.

The few surviving letters Fred Osgood wrote to George Black between 1875-1880, provide an employee’s perspective of the work required to maintain Woodlawn during George Black senior’s tenure. The quote above is a snapshot of Woodlawn in May 1878.

Woodlawn Yard Sale

Recycle, Repurpose, Keep Giving!

We were given a lot of desks, chairs, and other office equipment in anticipation of the needs for the Barn. We have now installed all that we require and offer the remainder up to other organizations or individuals to come and take it away.

2-4 pm May 7 and 9

Items are in the Sleigh Barn & the Caretaker's Cottage,

please park in the lot near the new Barn.

Offered for free, donations encouraged!

Barn Peek

We hosted a Vendor Fair a few weeks ago and have been having small groups and education programs use the Barn as we get closer to officially opening in late June. A photographer captured the efforts of Wallace Events as they put their team through some practice drills setting up tables and chairs. The website is where to go to let us know if you are interested in booking space in the Barn. We have non profit/family rates and commercial. We have small meeting rooms and the Baker Center that can accomodate up to 200 depending on how you set it up. We want to host your event here! We are booking 2025 now and would love to show you through, just fill out the form and we will be in touch.

woodlawnellsworth.org/the-barn

Please consider becoming a

Friend of Woodlawn

today

As a Friend of Woodlawn, you support our vision to be

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