Gilsland Farm was acquired through the generosity of the Freeman family in a series of gifts between 1974 and 1994. Ruth Moulton Freeman’s father, David Moulton, a Portland lawyer and dedicated conservationist, bought the farm in 1911 as a summer retreat. He named the property Gilsland Farm in honor of Sir Thomas de Moulton “of the Gils,” a distant relative, and spent the next 40 years turning it into a showplace with an exceptional herd of Jersey cattle and nurseries of shrubs and flowers.

One of the outstanding features of the farm was the more than 400 species of peonies stretching over seven acres. Descendants of Moulton’s peonies can be seen today in several locations on the property.

In 1976, the headquarters building was erected as a prototype demonstration of energy-efficient office space heated by solar and wood heat. Besides its heating systems, the building includes many other unique features, including a composting toilet on the second floor. By the end of the 1970s it was clear Maine Audubon had outgrown the headquarters building, and in 1981 the farmhouse at the end of the driveway was purchased. In 1987, the small building behind the headquarters was constructed as an energy demonstration center and part of an overall energy upgrade for the building.

By 1995, Maine Audubon had again outgrown its space and the visitor center was constructed using then-state-of-the-art “green” design and construction techniques. The center provides facilities for the majority of public programming at Gilsland Farm and is also home to the Maine Audubon Nature Store. In 2005, Maine Audubon began purchasing renewable, cleaner-burning BioHeat™ heating oil to heat the buildings and biodiesel fuel to run the tractor at Gilsland Farm. The subsequent installation of solar arrays and electric vehicle charging stations continued Maine Audubon’s commitment to renewable and sustainable energy.