LIVERMORE — This July, the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in hosted its first Live-In Experience since fire destroyed the original barn and farmer’s cottage on April 28, 2008. Thanks to the support of the local community and the wider community of history buffs, reconstruction of the cottage was completed this past spring, and Norlands once again is able to offer its wide range of 19th-century experiential history programs.

Over the weekend of July 22-23, seven Girl Scouts and their leaders from Troop #60235 of Gloucester, Mass., were spirited back to 1870s rural Maine by Norlands staff interpreters to discover what life was like before indoor plumbing, electricity and automobiles. Several years ago, other members of this troop participated in a live-in experience.

Their first step into the past meant shedding anything that didn’t exist during the 1870s. Smart phones, digital cameras and MP3 players were left behind. The group was then split into two families who actually lived near Norlands, and each girl adopted the name of a member of that family for the duration of her stay. Next, historical interpreters introduced principles of appropriate behavior and customs, speech and colloquialisms, and the realities of farm life in the mid-19th century. Journals, made by hand during the live-in, encourage participants to record and comment on their experience while at the Norlands, and then carry those memories back to the 21st century where, it is hoped, they will inspire additional reflections.

Once oriented to their “new” world, the young time travelers set to work on traditional evening farm tasks. Using only 19th century implements, pumping water by hand and discovering the challenges of cooking on a wood stove, one family group prepared the evening meal under the tutelage of Beth Chamberlain and Anne Feith who, in period dress, assumed the characters of Emaline Hilton and Ann Gibbs, neighbors of the Washburn family.

Meanwhile, Norlands’ historic farmer, Ray Fleury, portraying Israel Martell, and Tom Davidson as Charles Bradford, acquainted the second family group with some of the equipment and outdoor chores of a post-Civil War era farm. Projects completed over the weekend included cleaning out the hen house and weeding the herb garden.

Live-ins quickly came to appreciate that, on a farm, there is never a shortage of things to do — especially without mechanized assistance, having to pump and carry any water you need, and no electricity to extend the day past sunset.

The next Live-In Experience, on Sept. 10 and 11, is open to the public. Reservations are requested no later than one week in advance of the program. Space is limited to a maximum of 16 participants. For more information or to register, call Nancey Drinkwine at 897-4366, email volunteers@norlands.org or visit website at www.norlands.org.