The Winthrop Historical Society’s summer has been filled with preparing the Center for opening. Members of the Society and several contractors renovated the Center, volunteers painted, moved artifacts to the Center, and did yard work around the Center.

A sneak peak was held at a Membership Welcome Night earlier this month at the new Winthrop History and Heritage Center, located at 107 Main St. The Center is ready to display artifacts which included a special recognition of Carl Swanson.

A Grand Opening is  set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. The public is welcome to stop in and visit Winthrop’s first Historical Center. The gift shop will be open.

The historical society feels that the work that has done to purchase a building for the purpose of housing the many artifacts, beginning to create displays to tell the story about the history of the town and educate others is very important. Volunteers have been working very hard since last summer to obtain the former Key Bank branch building and then renovate it to meet the needs of the organization.

WMHS finalized the purchase of the building in February 2021. Immediately following the closing, the necessary remodeling began.  This has included removing all the bank teller stations and reworking the floor plan, adding a main floor ADA compliant bathroom, removing asbestos throughout the building, updating the wiring, replacing broken lighting, fixing floors, making sure the handicap lift is working properly, addressing many exterior issues. Fundraising is still ongoing to pay for the rest of the necessary building repairs.

For more information, contact Mary Richards at 207-377-9663 or marylrichards51@gmail.com.

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