A Visit to Waldoboro, Maine

This is the feature for Waldoboro, Maine. The town of Waldoboro is in Lincoln County. Though it is easy enough to do so, it should not be confused with WATERboro in York County, nor mixed up with the town of WALDO which happens to be in Waldo County. 

Waldoboro incorporated as a town in 1773. For decades, it had been a German settlement known as the Broad Bay Colony. This heritage continues to be seen in the family names, businesses, and sites around the community. Perhaps no place is it more obvious than at the old German meeting house and cemetery.

Old German Meeting House & Cemetery

The meeting house was not open the day of my visit, but I will update this post after I have the opportunity to go inside (these additions to past features are announced in the weekly newsletter).

This building dates back to 1772. About twenty years after it was constructed, it was taken apart and moved on sleds, during the winter, across the frozen river to its present location. It has been beautifully preserved. It was here, in 1974, that artist Andrew Wyeth created his famous Maidenhair painting of a local Waldoboro teen named Elaine Benner. 

A walk through the cemetery serves as a primer on the early German family names. It has some of the most unique and intricate headstones you’ll find anywhere in Maine. 

Waldoboro Historical Society Museum

Though every Maine town has a unique history, not all of them have a group of individuals dedicated to preserving and telling it. For a small town, Waldoboro has done an amazing job in this critical work. They not only have a historical society, but also own a set of buildings which serve as a museum. Everything is run by a team of volunteers.

Sadly, I was too late to meet one of the individuals who poured her time, energy, and heart into this remarkable place. Jean Lawrence passed away in February of 2023. The investment she made will benefit Waldoboro for many generations. 

If you’re traveling through Waldoboro on Route 220, you can’t miss the site. It practically begs you to stop for a visit. One of the numerous unique features of the Waldoborough Historical Society Museum is that it is open during the summer from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. every day of the week, except Tuesdays. While they certainly will accept your donation, there is NO admission fee. Additionally, you can get up close to most of the exhibits and explore them. The buildings are handicap accessible. While visitors of all ages will enjoy the experience, this is an ideal location for families. The address is 1164 Main St, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

Three major buildings make up the museum: the Boggs one-room School House, the Hauck/Bailey Building, and the Richard Wallace Barn.

Boggs School House

This school house originally was located in North Waldoboro. In the 1970s, it was take apart, moved, and reassembled where it currently sits. All the items, including the desks, are original to the town. Even the dress on display was once worn by a Waldoboro schoolteacher.

Hauck / Bailey Building

The Hauck/Bailey Building houses four fire engines, including one that was transported by hand (vs. horse-drawn).

The space has a textile section with quilts and samplers. If you have any knowledge of the hooked rug craft, you may be aware that this town invented the Waldoboro rugs with their new technique that provided a three-dimensional appearance. There are many examples to look over. 

Like other museums, this one has so many treasures that it is hard to see them all. But there is one item you cannot miss: a theatre curtain from the 1930s. It is covered in ads for local businesses—he early twentieth-century version of commercials. It not only is large, but the colors are vibrant and will grab your attention. This one was used in the Winslows Mills grange hall. Reading the ads is a fun history lesson. 

Richard Wallace Barn

The Richard Wallace Barn will require the most time to explore. Every nook and cranny, from top to bottom, is bursting with fascinating items from years gone by. My personal favorite was the room organized as a kitchen. The society has done an excellent job providing information on various placards and tags so you aren’t left guessing as to what you’re viewing. 

If you live anywhere in the area, be sure to plan a trip to visit this unique site. You’ll likely need some return ones to fit everything in. My thanks to volunteer Wanda for her help on my first exploration, as well as board member Bill Maxwell who generously answered my questions in a follow-up call. And congratulations to the entire society for the excellent way you share Waldoboro’s story.

If this is the first time you’ve read about Maine Features, I’m a long journey to every town in the state of Maine. When the adventure began, I chose just one location to highlight. A previous trip to Waldoboro featured the iconic Morse’s Sauerkraut. Check it out, or look over the index page to see the other towns. 

Here are some helpful Waldoboro links:
Waldoborough Historical Society
The Old German Meeting House
The Old Broad Bay Association