Maine Guide to Museums and Historic Homes FOURTH EDITION INDEX—1983-84 MAINE GUIDE TO MUSEUMS & HISTORIC HOMES Page Page Page Allagash 37 Gorham 3 Phillips 13 Aina 20 Greenville 34 Phippsburg 4-5 Ashland 37 Hampden 31 Pittston 18 Auburn 16 Harpswell 3 Poland Spring 18 Augusta 16-17 Head Tide 22 Porter 13 Bangor 28 Hinckley 17 Portland 5-6 Bar Harbor 28-29 Houlton 38 Prospect 24 Bath 20 Islesboro 22 Rangeley 13-14 Belfast 20 Islesford 31 Richmond 18-19 Bethel 10 Jay 11-12 Rockland 24-25 Biddeford 2 Katahdin Iron Works 34 Rumford Center 14 Blue Hill 29 Kennebunk 3 Saco 7 Boothbay 21 Kennebunkport 3-4 Scarborough 7 Boothbay Harbor 21 Kezar Falls 12 Searsport 25 Bridgton 10 Kittery 4 Sebago 14 Brooksville 29 Kittery Point 4 Sedgwick 32 Brunswick 2-3 Lee 31 Skowhegan 19 Buckfield 10 Liberty 22-23 Somesville 32 Bucksport 29 Lincoln 31-32 South Berwick 7 Burlington 29 Litchfield 17 South Bristol 25 Buxton 10 Livermore 12 South Casco 14 Calais 35 Lubec 35 South Solon 19 Camden 21 Machias 35 South Windham 14 Campobello, NB 36 Machiasport 36 Southwest Harbor 33 Canton 10 Madawaska 38 Standish 14-15 Caribou 37 Monhegan Island 23 Stockholm 38 Casco 10-11 Monmouth 17-18 Strong 15 Castine 29-30 Monson 34 Sullivan 33 Cherryfield 35 Morrill 23 Thomaston 25-26 China 17 Naples 12 Thorndike 26 Columbia Falls 35 New Gloucester 12 Topsham 8 Corinna 30 New Sweden 38 Union 26 Cushing 21 Newburgh 32 Unity 26 Damariscotta 21 Newcastle 23 Van Buren 38 Deer Isle 30 Newfield 12 Vinalhaven 26 Dexter 30-31 North Berwick 4 Waldoboro 26-27 Dover-Foxcroft 34 North Bridgton 13 Waterville 19 Dresden 22 North Edgecomb 23 Wayne 19 Ellsworth 31 North Vassalboro 18 Wells 8 Fairfield 17 Old Orchard Beach 4 West Paris 15 Farmington 11 Old Town 32 Wilton 15 Farmington Falls 11 Orland 32 Winslow 19 Fort Fairfield 37 Orono 32 Winter Harbor 33 Fort Kent 37-38 Owls Head 23 Wiscasset 27 Franklin 31 Palermo 18 Yarmouth 8 Freeport 3 Paris 13 York 8-9 Friendship 22 Patten 34 York Harbor 9 Fryeburg 11 Pemaquid 23-24 Gilead 11 Pemaquid Point 24 Maine Guide to Museums and Historic Homes FOURTH EDITION Peter D. Bachelder, Editor A Publication of The Maine Publicity Bureau In Cooperation with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission 1983-84 Cover Photo: Nickels-Sortwell House, Wiscasset Introduction One cannot long remain in Maine ums abound with collections of area without being conscious of her his­ artifacts and other memorabilia. A toric heritage. number of specialized museums In towns and cities alike, along her have sprung up attempting to docu­ rocky shores, across her rolling ment a specific segment of our past. countryside, even the most casual Our lumbering, shipbuilding and traveler time and again encounters fishing industries; our myriad arts visible reminders of Maine’s colorful and crafts—none of these has been and romantic past. overlooked in what has become an During recent years, Americans almost wholesale attempt to recap­ have witnessed an increasing aware­ ture and preserve a better feeling for ness of their forebears, together with the kinds of positive values equated an accompanying realization of their with Maine and her people. lasting values and subsequent mean­ The various homes and museums ingful contributions to today’s world. found within the pages of this book­ Very much a part of this trend, con­ let by no means form an all-inclusive cerned Mainers everywhere have listing of Maine’s historic resources; made preservation a byword. rather they serve as a broad overview Maine’s early Colonial days were of her heritage, in that they are loca­ marked by the never-ending rigors of tions which have opened their doors day-to-day living that all but preclud­ for public viewing, study and re­ ed any thought to the accumulation search. or retention of worldly possessions. Appointments are generally nec­ However, the growing wealth of a essary only when one wishes to visit young and prospering society soon a particular location during unsched­ changed all that. Maine folk, already uled days or hours, or when speci­ traditionally deep-rooted and far­ fied “by appointment only”. When in sighted by nature, went about their doubt, however, it’s always best to business building substantial, endur­ check ahead. ing homes—with an eye that they We hope, in future editions, to con­ would last not only for themselves, tinue to expand the scope of this pub­ but would survive for succeeding lication. As such, the Maine Publicity generations. In the true spirit of fine Bureau welcomes contributions of craftsmanship, some of these arti- further information for possible in­ sians added an extra measure of clusion. The Bureau wishes to thank charm to equal parts of dignity and the Maine Historic Preservation Com­ grace. The resulting high standard of mission for its invaluable assistance excellence they attained remains for during the preparation of this work, us today. as well as for the generous loan of its Many of these structures still con­ photographs, which appear through­ tain original furnishings, offering us out the book. even further insight into earlier Note: The information contained in tastes and lifestyles. this booklet has been obtained di­ Nor is this discernment limited to rectly from the facilities in question. brief inspections of our older his­ The Maine Publicity Bureau cannot toric homes and their contents. assume any responsibility for errors, Local historical societies and muse­ changes or omissions. 1 SOUTHERN COAST BIDDEFORD BIDDEFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY McArthur Library 270 Main Street Open year round, Mon-Wed 10-1; Thurs 10:30-1:30; Fri 1-4. Admission: No charge. Houses local memorabilia, including town and vital records of Biddeford (1653-1855) plus common council, aider- men and assessors records. Genealogies, Walker Art Building, History of Pepperell Mill. Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick FIRST PARISH MEETING HOUSE (1759) FIRST PARISH CHURCH (1846) Intersection of Pool Road & Maine Street Guinea Road. Open by appt. (725-2172) Open July only; Admission: No charge. one special program. Inspiration place for Harriet Beecher Admission: Donations welcome. Stowe’s “ Death of Uncle Tom”. Such per­ Colonial interior designed and once sonages as Pres. William Howard Taft, used as Town Hall, later a church; boxed Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, John Mase­ pews, padded kneelers, late 19th century field (poet Laureate of England), Mrs. organ. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King have spoken from the pulpit here. BRUNSWICK PEARY-MACMILLAN ARCTIC MUSEUM BOWDOIN COLLEGE Hubbard Hall, Bowdoin Campus MUSEUM OF ART Open: Summer Tues-Fri 10-5, 7-8:30; Walker Art Building (1894) Sat 10-5; Sun 2-5. Bowdoin Campus Winter: Tues-Fri 10-4; Sat 10-5; Open: Summer Tues-Sat 10-5 & Sun 2-5. (725-8731, Ext. 275) 7-8:30; Sun 2-5. Admission: No charge. Winter: Tues-Fri 10-4; Sat 10-5; Exhibitions and displays of polar arti­ Sun 2-5. (725-8731, ext. 275) facts and equipment relating to the explo­ Admission: No charge. rations of two Bowdoin alumni: Adm. Museum building houses significant Robert E. Peary, the first man to reach the holdings of Colonial and Federal por­ North Pole, and Adm. Donald B. MacMil­ traits; old master prints and drawings; the lan, Peary’s Chief Assistant. Archives of Winslow Homer Collection; changing ex­ personal memorabilia, diaries, photo­ hibitions and more. graphs and glass slides. 2 PEJEPSCOT HISTORICAL MUSEUMS HARPSWELL (EAGLE ISLAND) (1857) 11 Lincoln Street ADM. ROBERT E. PEARY HOME Casco Bay Open year round, Mon-Fri 1-4:30. Open June 20-Labor Day, daily 10-6. Admission: Not set. Admission: No charge. Collections of regional memorabilia— fire engines, antiques dolls, costumes. Site of the home of Admiral Robert E. Also, General Joshua L. Chamberlain Peary, discoverer of the North Pole. Land­ Civil War Museum, 159 Maine Street. ing pier, interpretive panels, nature trails. Residence open for examination. FREEPORT KENNEBUNK ENOCH HARRINGTON HOUSE (1830) 45 Main Street (U.S. Route One) BRICK STORE MUSEUM (1825) 117 Maine Street-Route 1 Open by appointment only (865-3617). Open year round, Tues-Sat 10-4:30. Admission: No charge, donations Admission: $1.00. welcome. A block of the 19th century commercial Federal-style brick residence, acts as buildings including Wm. Lord’s Brick headquarters for the Freeport Historical Store (1825), changing exhibits of fine Society. Interior, ell and barn currently and decorative arts, historical and marine being restored, after which small rotating collections. exhibits relating to Freeport history will be on display. TAYLOR-BARRY HOUSE (1803) GORHAM 24 Summer Street Open June 15-Oct 15, Tues, BAXTER HOUSE & MUSEUM (1797) Wed & Thurs 1-4. South Street Admission: Adults $1.00, Open July & August, Wed & Sat 2-5; Children 50C. By appt. (839-4653). 1803 Federal Period, sea captain’s house, Admission: Donations welcome. stenciled hall, period furnishings. Birthplace of James Phinney Baxter, former Mayor of Portland. Houses arti­ KENNEBUNKPORT cles and records of local interest. KENNEBUNKPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM North Street Open June & Sept Tues 1-4; July & Aug-Tues & Thurs 1-4. By appt. (967-2028). Admission: No charge. Former Town House School contains various exhibits and files of local history and genealogy. Also picture collection. Adjacent Clark Building houses marine exhibit, emphasizing local ships and ship­ building. 3 SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM Open by appt. only during 1983. Log Cabin Road-off Route 1 Make arrangements through SPNEA Headquarters: (617) 227-3956. Open June 18-Sept 5, daily 10-5:30. Also May 28-June 12 & Sept 10-Oct 30, Admission: $1.50.