Michael Pelton, a farm owner and operator and engaged community member, serves on the Windham Selectboard.
WINDHAM-As our town begins discussions about budgets and property taxes, it's easy to focus on numbers and line items. These conversations also remind me of the dedication and effort required to sustain our community.
Windham didn't build itself; it was shaped by generations of residents who invested not just money, but time, labor, and creativity to lay the foundations of our town.
Thinking about our current challenges made me reflect on how far we've come since Windham's earliest days, when the community faced very different challenges, and yet relied on the same spirit of cooperation and commitment that still defines us today.
Back then, the town's needs were very different. As one of their highest priorities, Windham's Meeting House stands today as a testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of its early settlers.
In 1800, Windham's population was 427 residents and rapidly growing. By 1820, it would grow to 931. With no established church or dedicated meeting space, worship services, education, and meetings were held in various locations, including local barns.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated space, residents raised funds, and by 1801, construction was underway.
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Recently, I found a striking story that brings this landmark to life. It involves a poor farmer who contributed $15, about 20% of the average yearly income at that time, to support the Meeting House's construction.
How could someone with so little give so much? He turned to the forest. He produced potash through a labor-intensive process: cutting and burning 20–30 cords of wood, collecting the ashes, leaching them with water, and boiling the solution to yield the commodity.
Without a local market, he transported at least 130 pounds of refined potash to Townshend. Months of grueling work turned into not just monetary support, but a profound demonstration of commitment to the community.
In this time, potash was used to make soap and glass, and it was used as fertilizer. This humble material became a source of economic power, allowing this farmer to support his family and community.
The story of Windham's Meeting House is more than a tale of ash and toil. It is a narrative of community spirit, faith, and the lengths to which early settlers went to build a future for generations to follow. Their efforts laid the groundwork for a town that continues to honor the values of cooperation and dedication.
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Today, our challenges may be different, but the spirit remains the same.
Our community is exploring new uses for the former Hamm Talc mine and reimagining the elementary school. At the same time, we are evaluating whether our budget fairly supports employees, maintains roads and infrastructure, and plans thoughtfully for the future, all while balancing the need for fiscal responsibility.
As we look to the future, we must recognize the people who are the backbone of Windham today, those who volunteer on the town's committees and offices. Their effort and dedication, often unseen, are the modern-day equivalent of refining wood into potash.
Today, the Meeting House stands as a reminder of the enduring strength of community and the lasting impact of collective effort. Just as the farmer once transformed ash into lasting community infrastructure, our volunteers continue that legacy by shaping Windham's future with their commitment and care.
Now is the time for all of us to engage, to dedicate our experience, energy, and time to the town's committees, offices, and initiatives. In doing so, we honor the spirit of those who came before us and help ensure Windham continues to flourish for generations to come.
This Voices Viewpoint was submitted to The Commons.
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