WINDHAM – Philip Dow, 16, of Windham, recently completed his Eagle Scout service project by constructing an 8-by-12-foot addition to a building on the site of Windham’s future living history park.

Dow, of Boy Scout Troop 51, committed more than 100 hours to the Windham Historical Society by raising money and building the annex. The building is being used for storage, but according to Society vice-president Dave Tanguay, who coordinated the project, it will eventually become a circa 1870s one-room schoolhouse. The addition, he says, will add to its authenticity by serving as the entrance and as a “cloakroom.”

Dow received training in construction by local builder Edward Carignan, who guided Dow in building an 8-by-10-foot storage shed before taking on the task of constructing the addition. The sale of the shed helped raise money toward the cost of constructing the (future schoolhouse) addition. Dow had to raise more than $1,100 toward the building project, and helped direct fellow Scouts through hundreds of hours of fundraising and building.

The schoolhouse will eventually be fully furnished with period desks and teaching materials, and will serve both as a museum and the setting for participants in a one-room schoolhouse experience.

Asked why he chose the Windham Historical Society to pursue his candidacy for the Eagle Scout award, Dow said he and his family were intrigued by the prospect of a history park, located at Windham Center, and wanted to contribute to its creation. Other park features may include an early New England barn for the display of large historical items, a blacksmith shop, old grocery museum and an early library.

Dow and his family will be recognized at the Historical Society’s annual membership dinner in October. They reside on Land of Nod Road in Windham.

Eagle Scout candidate Philip Dow stands with local builder Edward Carignan after the completion of Dow’s service project.