The Winthrop Maine Historical Society is an independent 501(c)(3) organization, and is self-supporting. Memberships, Donations, and Fundraisers provide the operating funds for the History Center. The Town of Winthrop provides a small amount of funds each year to purchase archival materials for Town Records now stored in the WMHS building.
Mission:
The mission of the Winthrop Maine Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and share the history of Winthrop, Maine, while educating the public and fostering a deeper appreciation of the town’s cultural heritage through exhibits, programs, and community involvement.
Vision:
The Winthrop Maine Historical Society strives to be a vibrant, accessible, and trusted resource that connects people of all ages to Winthrop’s past, inspires curiosity, and ensures the preservation of local history for future generations.
History of Winthrop Maine Historical Society
The Winthrop Maine Historical Society was reorganized in 2010 in response to a recommendation in the town’s revised comprehensive plan, which recommended that the Town: “Re-establish the Winthrop Historical Society, with public and private funding support and a mission to initiate the process to develop a facility to house historical and archival materials, provide a base for research and educational activities, and public displays and lectures.”
In February 2021, the society bought the former Key Bank Building at 107 Main Street, Winthrop, Maine. The Winthrop History and Heritage Center officially opened on August 21, 2021. The Collection is safely stored and displayed in a climate controlled environment. The Center houses an exhibits room, a meeting room and a gift shop.
Some current and planned projects
- Database Development: Developing a searchable database of items and information in the Historical Society’s collection
- Annual Calendar: Publication and sale of a calendar showing vintage photographs
- Speaker Series: April – November, second Thursdays at 6:00pm
Membership in the Winthrop Maine Historical Society is open to anybody with an interest in the history of Winthrop, Maine. With your annual donation you may attend the member appreciation events, speaker series events, you have the benefit of Gift Shop item discounts and the privilege to volunteer and support your local community. Click here for more details!
Business meetings (Zoom Link) are held at 6pm on the 1st Thursday of January thru November.
Board of Directors:
- Penny Pray, President
- Lynda Pratt, Vice President
- Natalie Weise, Secretary
- Bob Faucher, Treasurer – bob@winthropmainehistory.org
- Angela Goebel-Bain
- Mark Hopkins
- Linda Huff
- Brenda MacDonald
- Jennifer Phillips
- Linda Quaste
- Mary Richards
- Arthur Roy
- Steve Robbins
Honorary Board Members
- Dave Cook
- Bob Pelletier
Committees:
Members are welcome to serve on one or more committees. Please contact any Board Member to volunteer!
- Building Maintenance Committee – Meets 1st Monday 6:30 pm (Chair Mark H, Lynda P, Linda Q, Penny P)
- Calendar Committee – Meets 3rd Thursday 3 pm (Chair Mary R, Lynda P, Jen P, Penny P)
- Collections and Exhibits Committee – Meets 4th Monday 6:30 pm (Chair Angela G, Mary R, Mark H, Linda H, Penny P)
- Fundraising Committee – Meets 4th Thursday 6:45 pm (Chair Jen P, Vice-Chair Arthur R, Natalie W, Linda H, Lynda P, Linda Q, Penny P)
- Gift Shop Committee – Meets 4th Thursday 6:00 pm (Chair Jen P, Linda H, Lynda P, Mary R, Linda Q, Penny P)
- Grant Committee – TBA (Chair Lynda P, Linda H, Arthur R, Mary R, Penny P)
- Marketing Committee – Meets 2nd Tuesday at 9 am (Chair Arthur R, Linda H, Brenda M, Penny P)
- Membership Committee – Meets 3rd Thursday 3 pm (Chair Mary R, Jen P, Lynda P, Penny P)
- Nominating Committee – Meets Sept 21 10 am (Linda Q, Arthur R, Brenda M, Lynda P)
- Program Committee – Meets 3rd Thursday 3 pm (Chair Mary R, Jen P, Lynda P, Brenda M, Penny P)
- Policy and Procedure Committee – TBA