Shaw Brothers Foundation matches donations to 1833 Town Hall restoration through July 4

Windham Historical Society been given a generous fundraising challenge by Shaw Brothers Family Foundation as donations for the restoration and renovation of the historic 1833 Town Hall will be matched by the foundation up to $100,000 through July 4, the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Dan Shaw, left, and Jon Shaw of the Shaw Brothers Family
Foundation have offered to match donations for the 
Windham 1833 town hall restoration project by the 
Windham Historical Society up to $100,000 until 
July 4. SUBMITTED PHOTO 
 

According to Carol Manchester of the Windham Historical Society, this means every dollar that is donated is now worth twice as much until July 4.

Manchester said that the building not only is the cornerstone of the Village Green in Windham but is also the gateway to the seven buildings and other outdoor structures representing Windham in earlier times. The purpose of the brick building and Village Green is to serve the greater Windham community area by providing educational and social opportunities to learn about the town’s history.

“Restoration of this significant, 1833 brick building is without question, the most extensive project ever undertaken by Windham Historical Society and financial gifts from community members to support this mission are greatly appreciated,” Manchester said.

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, said Susan Simonson, Windham Historical Society president.

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 says 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, 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.

One may donate through the website page, windhamhistorical.org (donation tab), by using the QR code on the thermometer sign in front of the brick building, or by writing a check made out to Windham Historical Society, PO Box 1475, Windham, Maine 04062. Please note on the check that it is for the brick building. Donors may visit https://www.windhamhistorical.org/ to submit a donation online. 

WHS is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization; 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. <