LIVERMORE - Middle-schoolers dug, tugged and shook clumps of day lilies Thursday along the Norlands' driveway.

The students and their Livermore Falls Middle School teachers worked under the guidance of the Livermore Falls Women's Club and Washburn-Norlands Living History Center volunteers to thin the overgrown flowers.

Seventh-grader Megan Norris of Livermore Falls led the effort to help the historical education center.

"I wanted to because I thought it was horrible such a great place like this got burned," Norris said. "This place provided us with information when we needed it. Why can't we give back something to Norlands?"

Schoolchildren around the state have visited Norlands to learn about life centuries ago and lecturers from the center have visited schools.

The Norlands' large barn and farmer's cottage were destroyed by fire April 28. The mansion, big kitchen and caretaker's quarters were saved but have some damage.

Alice Andrews, another seventh-grader from Livermore Falls, said she was enjoying herself as she and others gave it their best heave-ho to remove the heavy clumps of day lilies.

"I'm having fun because we're giving back to the community," Andrews said. "They've given so much to us. Why shouldn't we help them?"

Sarah Delaney of Livermore, a member of the women's club, said the group planned to dig up all of the lilies and replant some of them because they were overgrown.

Club co-president Gail Slade said the club's plan was to plant irises and variegated leaves to add some color.

While some students and adults dug the flowers and loaded them into a wheelbarrow, another group sorted them.

They shook off the dirt and broke them apart under the watchful eyes of club member Ruth Gammon and teachers Michelle DeBlois, Denise Acriteli and Sally Speich, among others.

Nearby, a group of boys were loading manure into a wheelbarrow to be spread on the farmer's garden.

Norlands Operating Director Nancey Drinkwine paused a moment in the midst of the work to reflect on how the community is rallying to raise money for the restoration of the burned buildings.

"Some of the activities are starting to happen," Drinkwine said as she looked over the site. "And, this is so cool."