Our Focus
The mission of the Village Improvement Association has not changed since the association was founded in 1878-It strives to make Brunswick an attractive place to live and do business by concentrating its efforts on the downtown area.
By concentrating the attention of businesses and private citizens on trees and flowering plants, by putting its own money to work in the same endeavors, the Village Improvement Association continues to believe that well kept plants are an important part of a town’s landscape.
Our
Programs
The 148th Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library
Meeting and updates on VIA activities
Plans for Future of the Gazebo
Panel with Peter Baecher and Tom Farrell
Presentation and Questions and Answers
Dues: $1.00 per year
Read more about us
As seen in the Times Record, May 6, 2026
Kudos to the Village Improvement Association, a Brunswick gem since 1878
Consider, for a moment, what makes Brunswick special. First of all, it’s a great town for young families, a magnet for retired people. There’s the location, of course, close to the ocean and mountains and near Portland, a city on the move. And there’s Bowdoin College, one of America’s finest liberal arts colleges. And the extraordinary offerings of the Maine State Music Theatre and the Bowdoin International Music Festival. And the beautiful wide Maine Street, with wonderful restaurants and quaint shops. And the inspiring ethos of volunteerism, which works for the common good. And don’t forget the town mall, which serves as a community gathering place. And at one end of the mall there’s that cool old-time gazebo and … time out!
Did you know that the gazebo was built about 50 years ago and that it was made in part from pine trees that Bowdoin chopped down to expand the campus? Did you know it was funded primarily by the Village Improvement Association? The VIA has worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the beauty and livability of Brunswick since way back in 1878.
In recent years, Brunswick has benefited from these V.I.A. projects:
Petunia Madness
Every summer, the VIA sees to it that the median strip on Brunswick’s Maine Street is planted with petunias.
Beautification Awards
Since 2010, the VIA has looked at the various ways Brunswick businesses have used windowboxes and other floral enhancements to make their establishments more appealing. Every year, the VIA has distributed checks to businesses it found outstanding.
Curtis Memorial Library Reading Garden
The Village Improvement Association built a reading garden on the southwest side of the library. It is walled and planted with rhododendrons.
Gazebo on the Mall
The band stand at the south end of the Mall was erected in the 1970s with VIA funds funds and lumber milled from Bowdoin pines.
