Woodlawn logo 2010
April 2015
Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park
19 Black House Drive, Ellsworth ME 04605
207-667-8671
woodlawnmuseum.org

The Woodlawn News 

With the arrival of April much of the winter snow has started to melt. There are even a few reports of Spring perennials starting to pop up in flower beds around town.

The past month has been a busy one as we put the final touches on a number of projects which you will read about in this newsletter.

In the weeks ahead, we will be preparing the Black House for opening day on May 1st.  The furniture coverings will come off, all the objects so carefully tucked away during the Christmas season will be re-set, the silver will be polished and the mantles dusted.  It will be here before we know it!

We invite you to share this newsletter with family and friends. The newsletter is published for the community and those who would like to sign up to receive it directly can click below.

Woodlawn 2014 Annual Report
Now Available on the Woodlawn Website 


Woodlawn is pleased to announce that its 2014 Annual Report is now available at woodlawnmuseum.org  The report is filled with articles and photographs on the various programs and activities held in 2014.


If you have questions or need assistance accessing the report, please contact the office and speak with Phyllis Young, 667-8671 or email Phyllis at [email protected] 



Now On-Line!

Become a Member, Renew Your Membership, Make Donations  

 

Woodlawn is pleased to announce that on-line payments for memberships and donations are now accepted at woodlawnmuseum.org

 
Over the past several months, we have worked closely with our web designer to create a secure system that enables you to pay on-line through the Woodlawn website.  Your credit card payment is made on an easy to use form and you receive a confirmation e-mail right away.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the office and speak with Lisa Salsbury, 667-8671 or email Lisa at [email protected]  

 

Woodlawn Over Coffee 

 

There are two more talks in the Woodlawn Over Coffee series.  The first four talks were a lot of fun and you can read about them in the Press Room section on the Woodlawn website. 

 

Please join us on April 8th - Think Programs! an overview of  Woodlawn's 2015 program calendar. Participants are invited to bring suggestions for future programs.  Presented by Woodlawn's director of education and program development, Anne Russenberger-Keefe. 

 

On April 15th, is Getting Ready for Guests, an overview of what it takes to open the Black House for the season.  Participants will see the Woodlawn staff in action and be invited to lend a hand polishing the silver.  

Complete descriptions of the sessions are available on the Woodlawn events calendar at woodlawnmuseum.org Cake and coffee will  be available at each session.  Woodlawn Over Coffee is free of charge, however donations are welcomed. Space is limited, so call 667-8671 or e-mail [email protected] to reserve a seat.      

 


The Woodlawn 2015 Calendar of Events
Now Available On Our Website

 

In light of its mission to educate and entertain, Woodlawn's Director of Education and Programs, Anne Russenberger-Keefe has set a dynamic schedule of workshops, lectures and events for 2015.

 

This year's line-up includes historic arts and crafts, modern jewelry-making, unique nature programs, informative lecture series, field days for students and dog training.  Anne works year round to find new programs and instructors that will appeal to audiences of varying ages and interests.   The recent upgrade of the Woodlawn website now allows us to put photographs in our event descriptions; to view the 2015 calender of events, click here.    

 

Woodlawn, Seal Cove Auto Museum and MPBN
Announce Partnership Programs for May
  

Woodlawn Museum, Seal Cove Auto Museum and MPBN are pleased to announce a joint promotion for their members in May.

To celebrate the season opening of Woodlawn and the Seal Cove Auto Museum, each museum will offer free tour admission for all Auto Museum, Woodlawn, and MPBN members for the month of May.   The promotion stemmed from meetings held over the winter to discuss ways in which the three organizations could partner, cross promote and increase member benefits.  By visiting both museums, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of early 20th century living as the collections reflect similar time periods. The Auto Museum focuses on the "Brass Era" of automobile development, 1895-1917; Woodlawn dates from 1824-1928. The two collections reflect both everyday living and opulent lifestyles at the turn of the 20th century.  Visit the Press Room on the Woodlawn website to read more. 

 

In May, Woodlawn is open Tues.-Sun. 1-4pm. For details, visit woodlawnmuseum.org. The Seal Cove Auto Museum, 1414 Tremont Road, Seal Cove is open daily, 10am to 5pm, May 1 through October 31. For details, visit  sealcoveautomuseum.org.   For more information on MPBN, visit mpbn.net. 

 


Volunteer Opportunities  


Woodlawn is seeking individuals interested in joining its roll of volunteers in 2015.  There are opportunities to help at special events, in the gardens, on the trails, and with administrative tasks.   

 

In coming weeks we are working to get the house open for guests, doing spring clean-up on the grounds and putting together several large mailing projects.  If you are interested in becoming a Woodlawn volunteer, please call 667-8671 or click here for more information and an application form.  

Talk of the Town - Property Tax Proposal  

On Friday, March 13,  Woodlawn's executive director, Joshua Torrance was a featured guest on the WERU program, Talk of the Town hosted by Ron Beard.  The topic discussed was the Maine NonProfit Property Tax Proposal in Gov. Paul LePage's proposed biennial budget released in January, 2015 and the potential impact this would have on a historical property such as Woodlawn.  Michelle Beal, Ellsworth's City Manager joined them in the discussion. To access the WERU archives and listen to the broadcast, click here 

This proposal, if accepted will allow communities to levy a tax on any nonprofit that holds property valued at more than $500,000. Under the plan, those organizations would pay taxes on the portion of the property's value above that amount at 50 %  of the local community's property tax rate.  To read more about the proposed bill,
click here.
 
Enjoy a Very Special Mother's Day at Woodlawn
on Sunday, May 10th, 1-4 pm





For more information on the program, email [email protected]

From the Woodlawn Collection  

 

This lithophane that sets on the bureau in Mary Ann's room on the second floor of the Black House is an interesting art form that became quite popular in the United States in the early to mid 1800's.  


Made of a molded pane of porcelain bisque, the image appears

white with a raised design until a back light source illuminates it and the three-dimensional image appears. The word

Lithophane is a term derived from the Greek litho meaning stone and phainen meaning to cause to appear. This Greek derivation can cause confusion as lithophanes are not stone or even a stone product. They are made of porcelain. The largest collection of lithophanes in the world are at the The Blair Museum of Lithophanes  in Toledo, Ohio.   

 

In the Woodlawn Gift Shop there are numerous lithophanes for sale, several are made with Woodlawn specific designs. To learn more about the Woodlawn Collection, visit  woodlawnmusem.org.  

Save the Dates  

 

Friday, May 1- The Black House opens for the season. Open  1-4pm,Tuesday - Sunday in May. 

Mother's Day at Woodlawn - Sunday, May 10, 1-4 pm.  Free admission for mothers.  Seal Cove Auto Museum to have its 1912 Crane at Woodlawn (weather permitting) for viewing and rides! 

    

The Ellsworth Antiques Show at Woodlawn
Celebrating 10 Years at Woodlawn!
 
Wednesday, August 12 - The Ellsworth Antiques Show at Woodlawn, Opening Night
Thursday - Saturday, Aug. 13- 15 - The Ellsworth Antiques Show at Woodlawn

For the April program schedule, click here.

 

For regular updates, interesting facts and photos of Woodlawn....