Maine Guide to Museums and Historic Homes FIFTH EDITION INDEX — 1984-85 MAINE GUIDE TO MUSEUMS & HISTORIC HOMES PAGE PAGE PAGE Allagash 43 Hinckley 19 Scarborough 8 Aina 23 Houlton 44 Searsport 29 Ashland 43 Islesboro 26 Sebago 16 Auburn 18 Islesford 36 Sedgwick 37-38 Augusta 18-19 Jay 13-14 Skowhegan 21 Bangor 33 Katahdin Iron Works 39 Somesville 38 Bar Harbor 33 Kennebunk 4 South Berwick 8-9 Bath 23-24 Kennebunkport 4-5 South Bristol 29 Belfast 24 Kezar Falls 14 South Casco 16 Bethel 12 Kittery 5 South Solon 21 Biddeford 3 Lee 37 South Windham 16 Blue Hill 34 Liberty 26 Southwest Harbor 38 Boothbay 24 Livermore 14 Standish 16 Boothbay Harbor 24 Machias 41 Stockholm 44 Bridgton 12 Machiasport 42 Strong 17 Brooksville 34 Madawaska 44 Sullivan 38 Brunswick 3-4 Monhegan Island 26 Thomaston 29-30 Buckfield 12 Monmouth 19-20 Thorndike 30 Bucksport 34 Monson 40 Topsham 9 Burlington 34 Morrill 26 Union 30 Buxton 12 Naples 14 Unity 30 Camden 24-25 New Gloucester 14 Van Buren 45 Campobello, NB 42 New Sweden 44 Vinalhaven 30 Caribou 43 Newburgh 37 Waldoboro 30-31 Casco 12 Newcastle 26 Waterville 31 Castine 34-35 Newfield 14-15 Wayne 21 Cherryfield 41 North Berwick 5 Wells 9 China 19 North Bridgton 15 West Paris 17 Columbia Falls 41 North Edgecomb 27 Wilton 17 Corinna 35 North Vassalboro 20 Winslow 21-22 Cushing 25 Old Orchard Beach 5 Winter Harbor 38 Damariscotta 25 Old Town 37 Wiscasset 31-32 Deer Isle 35 Orland 37 Yarmouth 10 Dexter 36 Orono 37 York 10-11 Dover-Foxcroft 39 Owls Head 27 York Harbor 11 Dresden 25 Palermo 20 Ellsworth 36 Paris 15 Fairfield 19 Patten 40 Farmington 12-13 Pemaquid 27-28 Farmington Falls 13 Pemaquid Point 28 Fort Kent 43 Phillips 15 Franklin 36 Phippsburg 6 Freeport 4 Pittston 20 Friendship 25 Poland Spring 20-21 Fryeburg 13 Porter 15-16 Gilead 13 Portland 6-8 Gorham 4 Prospect 28 Greenville 39 Rangeley 16 Hampden 36 Rockland 28-29 Harpswell 4 Rumford Center 16 Head Tide 25-26 Saco 8 Maine Guide to Museums and Historic Homes FIFTH EDITION Peter D. Bachelder, Editor A Publication of The Maine Publicity Bureau In Cooperation with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission 1984-85 Cover Photo: Pownalborough Court House, Dresden Introduction One cannot long remain in Maine of area artifacts and other memora­ without becoming conscious of her bilia. A number of specialized historic heritage. museums have sprung up attempt­ Within towns and cities, along her ing to document a specific segment rocky shores, across her rolling of our past. Our lumbering, ship­ countryside, even the most casual building and fishing industries; our traveler time and again encounters myriad arts and crafts — none of visible reminders of Maine’s colorful these has been overlooked in what and romantic past. has become an almost wholesale at­ During recent years, Americans tempt to recapture and preserve a have gained an increasing aware­ better feeling for the kinds of ness of their forebears, and have positive values equated with Maine come to appreciate the lasting and other people. values and subsequent meaningful The various homes and museums contributions these earlier folk have found within the pages of this book­ made to today’s world. Very much a let by no means form an all-inclusive part of this trend, concerned Mainers listing of Maine’s historic resources; everywhere have made preservation rather they serve as a broad overview a byword. of her heritage, in that they are Maine’s early Colonial days were facilities which have opened their marked by the never-ending rigors of doors for public viewing, study and day-to-day living that all but preclud­ research. ed any thought to the accumulation Appointments are generally nec­ or retention of worldly possessions. essary only when one wishes to visit However, the growing wealth of a a particular location during unsched­ young and prospering society soon uled days or hours, or when speci­ changed all that. Maine folk, already fied “ by appointment only’’. When in traditionally deep-rooted and far­ doubt, however, it’s always best to sighted by nature, went about their check ahead. business building substantial, en­ We hope, in future editions, to con­ during homes — with an eye that tinue to expand the scope of this they would last not only for them­ publication. As such, the Maine selves, but would survive for suc­ Publicity Bureau welcomes contri­ ceeding generations. In the true butions of further information for spirit of fine craftsmanship, some of possible inclusion. The Bureau these artisians added an extra wishes to thank the Maine Historic measure of charm to equal parts of Preservation Commission for its in­ dignity and grace. The resulting high valuable assistance during the pre­ standard of excellence they attained paration of this work, as well as for remains for us today. the generous loan of its photo­ Many of these structures still con­ graphs, which appear throughout tain original furnishings, offering us the book. even further insight into earlier tastes and lifestyles. Note: The information contained Nor is this discernment limited to in this booklet has been obtained brief inspections of our older directly from the facilities in ques­ historic homes and their contents. tion. The Maine Publicity Bureau Local historical societies and cannot assume any responsibility museums abound with collections for errors, changes or omissions. 2 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 reports. Genealogies, Walker Art Building, Bowdoin College History of Pepperell Mill. Brunswick FIRST PARISH CHURCH (1846) FIRST PARISH MEETING HOUSE (1759) Maine Street Intersection of Pool Road & Open by appt. (725-2172) Guinea Road. Admission: No charge. Open July only; Inspiration place for Harriet Beecher one special program. Stowe’s “ Death of Uncle Tom” . Such Admission: Donations welcome. personages as Pres. William Howard Colonial interior designed and once Taft, Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, John used as Town Hall, later a church; boxed Masefield (poet Laureate of England), pews, padded kneelers, late 19th century Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin organ. Luther King have spoken from the pulpit here. BRUNSWICK PEARY-MACMILLAN ARCTIC MUSEUM BOWDOIN COLLEGE Hubbard Hill, 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 ex­ Admission: No charge. plorations of two Bowdoin alumni: Adm. Museum building houses significant Robert E. Peary, the first man to reach holdings of Colonial and Federal por­ the North Pole, and Adm. Donald B. Mac­ traits; old master prints and drawings; Millan, Peary’s Chief Assisant. Archives the Winslow Homer Collection; chang­ of personal memorabilia, diaries, photo­ ing exhibitions and more. graphs and glass slides. 3 PEJEPSCOT HISTORICAL MUSEUMS KENNEBUNK (1857) 159 Maine Street BRICK STORE MUSEUM (1825) 117 Maine Street, Route 1 Open year round, Tues-Fri 1-4:30; Sat & Sun 2-4 p.m. Open year round, Tues-Sat 10-4:30 Admission: $1.00 for non-members. Admission: $1.00. Collections of regional memorabilia — A block of the 19th century commer­ fire engines, antique dolls, costumes. cial buildings including Wm. Lord’s Also, General Joshua L. Chamberlain Brick Store (1825), changing exhibits of Civil War Museum, 226 Maine Street. fine and decorative arts, historical and marine collections. FREEPORT ENOCH HARRINGTON HOUSE (1830) 45 Main Street (U.S. Route One) Open Tues & Thur 9:30-2:00, or by appt. (865-3170) Admission: No charge, donations welcome. Federal-style brick residence, acts as headquarters for the Freeport Historical Society. Interior, ell and barn currently being restored; small rotating exhibits relating to Freeport history are on display. Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk GORHAM BAXTER HOUSE & MUSEUM (1797) South Street TAYLOR-BARRY HOUSE (1803) 24 Summer Street Open July & August, Wed & Sat 10-2; By appt. (892-6343). Open June 15-Oct 15, Tues, Wed & Thurs 1-4. Admission: Donations accepted. Admission: Adults $2.00. Birthplace of James Phinney Baxter, 1803 Federal Period, sea captain’s former Mayor of Portland. Houses arti­ house, stenciled hall, period furnishings. cles and records of local interest. HARPSWELL (EAGLE ISLAND) KENNEBUNKPORT SCHOOL HOUSE MUSEUM ADM. ROBERT E. PEARY HOME North Street Casco Bay Open June 15-Sept 1; Tues 1-4, Sat 10-12. Open June 20-Labor Day, daily 10-6. Also by appt. (967-2468) Admission: No charge. Admission: No charge, donations Home of Admiral Robert E. Peary, dis­ welcome. coverer of the North Pole. Landing pier, Former Town House School contains nature trails. Residence with Peary fami­ various exhibits and files of local history ly artifacts, open for examination. and genealogy. Also picture collection. 4 Adjacent Clark Building houses marine Open June 1-Labor Day, Mon-Sat 9-5; exhibit, emphasizing local ships and Sept 6-Memorial Day, Mon-Fri 9-5. shipbuilding. Admission: Adults $1.00; Families $2.50; Children 50<p; under six, free. SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM Portrays through exhibition of objects Log Cabin Road-off Route 1 and manuscripts the history of Kittery, Open June 16-Sept 3, daily 10-5:30.