Giving in Windham
by Peter Griffin
Throughout Windham's history, our community has been the beneficiary of
philanthropy. From the first European settlement in 1719 by Scottish
immigrants seeking religious freedom, the residents of our rural oasis
have contributed to the betterment of the community.
Some of Windham's architectural treasures that are part of our everyday
lives were contributed by single individuals or families. The Armstrong
Building, formerly the home of the Nesmith Library and now of the
Windham Museum, is an example of a donation made by descendants of town
founders. Later, in 1909, the Town of Windham received the
newly-constructed Searles School and Chapel as a donation from its most
eccentric resident, Edward Francis Searles, who also built Searles
Castle. Searles School and Chapel was Windham's Schoolhouse No. 1 for
many years before becoming home to the Windham Cooperative Kindergarten,
and then assuming its current role as an outstanding town social
facility. Meanwhile, Searles Castle is maintained by the Sisters of
Mercy as an historical landmark. The original "Town Center", a
collection of two-hundred-year-old buildings renovated with the help of
local businesses and individuals, serves as the Town of Windham's
administrative center. Griffin Park, a wonderful athletic and play
facility, is a recent example of what can be accomplished when town
funding and private fundraising efforts come together.
Some organizations, such as the Windham Woman's Club and the Friends of
the Library of Windham, are strongly linked with Windham's history.
Other organizations, such as the Windham Rail Trail Alliance, Windham
Community Band, and Windham's Helping Hands, were created more recently.
Old or new, all of Windham's community organizations combine to
make the town what it is today.
Over time, while the style of philanthropy has changed in Windham, the
tradition of giving has remained the same. The Windham Endowment for
Community Advancement, in partnership with donors and local organizations,
seeks to extend and expand on this philanthropic tradition. Please become
part of the tradition.
Windham Endowment for Community Advancement
P.O. Box 4315, Windham NH 03087
Tel: 603.437.0686
Email: ContactWE@windhamendowment.org