Before I was born my Grandfather Julius “Jack” Freedman tasked my Uncle Bernie to find a place the entire family to go.

We ended up at place called Shaw Acres.

Ebenezer Shaw was the early settler and prominent pioneer who originally moved to what is now Standish, Maine (formerly Pearsontown) in 1762. [1]

Key details about Ebenezer Shaw and the Shaw family history in the area:

• Pioneer Role: He was granted 200 acres of land and a mill privilege by the proprietors, later buying a large additional tract.
• First Mill: He built the first ever mill in the town.
• Trades: He worked as a farmer, carpenter, cooper, and millman.
• Family: He married Anna Philbrick in Hampton in 1738, and they had numerous children, including Josiah Shaw, who became the first town treasurer, selectman, and keeper of the town’s first public tavern.
• Modern Namesake: The historic family connection lives on in local landmarks like Shaw Acres, a lakeside residential community and neighborhood near Big Sebago Lake in Standish.

The Camp is located in the town of Standish, Maine.

We spent most of our time in North Windam. When I was little we had a laundry and a Dairy Queen. Its now out of control with loads of businesses.

We grew up here in the summer. We had our own dirt road to the lake and road the tailgates of our parents station wagons down there. The road is paved now but I have photos of when it was a dirt road. I don’t begrudge the dirt road because many people live there all year. When I was growing up it was all camps.

The Camp was called Camp Andrea named for the first grandchild.

Anyway, my grandfather bought and all of us cousins grew up there in the summer. When my parents moved to Florida they sold their share to my Uncle Bernie who was basically in charge anyway.

When Uncle Bernie died Camp Andrea went to my cousins Andrea and Theda. When Theda died it went to Andrea.

Andrea built a beautiful house there. She preserved as much as she could.

There is a fabulous porch filled with the old porch furnature and signs from when we were kids.

Sebago Lake Shaw Acres “The Rocks” with a view of Squaw Island.

When you were a little kid you were allowed to swim to that first large rock on the right. When you were old you could hang out on the left. Going to the rocks was an entire adventure.

Here is a video I made for Andrea from my dads videos. You can see my grandfather at the lake with Andrea. The dog in the background with their beloved dog Major.

Thank you Grampa Jack for this incredible gift!