NEWFIELD — Nineteenth Century Willowbrook Village, which has offered folks an interactive glimpse of rural life in the 1800s for 47 years, will close for good Oct. 10.

Board of Trustees President Douglas King said the museum of farm life started by his parents in the 1970s is closing due to financial considerations.

“Willowbrook’s Board of Trustees is working with a select number of nonprofit museums in Maine to relocate and give new life to as much of Willowbrook’s collections as possible,” said King in a statement issued Wednesday night.

Since 1970, when Donald and Marguerite “Pan” King opened Willowbrook as a museum, more than 430,000 school children and others have strolled through the 10-acre village, located on Elm Street. Many rode on the 1894 Armitage Herschell carousel. In recent years, some took part in mid-winter ice harvests or attended classes on knifemaking.

Visitors marveled at the vast array of farming tools, household implements, and other artifacts that showed how life used to be.

Donald King first lived in Newfield in the 1960s and purchased the 1813 Durgin Homestead. He began to see farms that had operated for generations disappear, one by one. He bought farm implements and carriages, sleighs, black-smithing tools and more, amassing a collection his son, in an earlier interview, said connects themes of change over time, and how invention and innovation impacted rural life.

Nineteenth Century Willowbrook Village opened to the public in 1970.

In 1980, King created a not-for-profit entity with the hope that Willowbrook would survive forever to educate and enhance the historical understanding of the past for future generations, his son said.

The economy soured in 2008, eating away at the museum’s endowment. Fundraising efforts escalated and outpourings of support were secured in the ensuing years.

However, finances remained an issue so this season will be its last.

King said major gifts of the collection will be offered to The Curran Homestead in Orrington, Boothbay Railway Village and Skyline Farm in North Yarmouth. Smaller gifts will be offered to the Maine State Museum, the Newfield Historical Society, the Sanford Springvale Historical Society, the Brick Store Museum, Washburn- Norlands Living History Center and the Maine Antique Power Association.

“In making these gifts, Willowbrook’s collections will remain on view to the public, and the educational and historic awareness programming that has been central to Willowbrook’s mission will continue as part of its legacy,” King said.

In an email, King said some of the properties that comprise Willowbrook, including the bandstand and two buildings, will be gifted to the Newfield Historical Society, while other properties will be gifted to the Curran Homestead.

“Willowbrook is indebted to its staff, volunteers, members and supporters, and especially to its directors,” King said, including Georgia Perry, from 1970- 2003; Amelia Chamberlain, 2004-2011; John Michalowski 2012-2013 and Robert Schmick, 2013-2016, each of whom, he said, have had an important impact on the museum.

During the remainder of this season, varied events are planned, including the National Glidden Antique Auto Show, set for Tuesday, Sept. 13 showing more than 200 antique and vintage autos.

“If you have never been to Willowbrook, or haven’t visited recently, the next few weeks will afford you a great opportunity to view its collections again in Newfield,” King said.

Willowbrook is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Thursday through Monday. The museum’s program of events can be viewed on its website at willowbrookmuseum.org.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].