Maine Preservation

Maine Preservation Our Mission is to promote and preserve historic places, buildings, downtowns and neighborhoods, strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of Maine.

https://linktr.ee/mainepreservation

Fayette’s Starling Hall has made a comeback! From one of our Most Endangered Historic Places in 2024 to a starring role ...
06/17/2026

Fayette’s Starling Hall has made a comeback! From one of our Most Endangered Historic Places in 2024 to a starring role on ’s , the historic grange building has captured the attention of old building enthusiasts far beyond Maine. The rejuvenation of this piece of local history is a credit to the power of community as well as the influence of Maine Preservation’s advocacy, in coordination with Fayette residents, town leaders, and the Friends of Starling Hall. If you missed the episode debut earlier this week, be sure to catchup on Magnolia! 📸 1️⃣ Starling Hall following the work of Maine Cabin Masters, March 2026. Photo via ; 2️⃣ The Hall when it was named to our 2024 Most Endangered list.

ATTENTION OWNERS OF OLD HOUSES! Our next Monday Meet-Up is geared specifically towards your needs—join us!⏰ Monday, July...
06/15/2026

ATTENTION OWNERS OF OLD HOUSES! Our next Monday Meet-Up is geared specifically towards your needs—join us!

⏰ Monday, July 6th, at 12PM EST
💻 virtually via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oPHSiJsoRVW5P_h4Bfjkgw #/registration
🏠 free and open to all

Maine Preservation is here to help, and so are your fellow homeowners. Our recurring Monday Meet-Up series provides access to our expert team *as well as* supportive peer-to-peer learning. Old house roof giving you concerns? Wondering if your foundation needs attention? Curious about restoring historic windows yourself? Tap into the knowledge and encouragement of fellow Mainers to learn how they addressed a damp basement or get advice on the best painter in town 😉. 📸 Beautiful details on a historic home, from our 2024 residency in Poland.

"Since I began this note, I have been called off at least a dozen times; once for the fish-man … once to see a man who h...
06/14/2026

"Since I began this note, I have been called off at least a dozen times; once for the fish-man … once to see a man who had brought me some barrels of apples … once to see a book-man … then to nurse the baby; then into the kitchen to make a chowder for dinner; and now I am at it again, for nothing but deadly determination enables me ever to write." — Harriet Beecher Stowe, writing from her home in Brunswick, Maine

Harriet Beecher Stowe was born June 14, 1811. The author was in-residence in Brunswick from 1850 to 1852, during which time she wrote the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” informed by her own experience providing safe harbor to John Andrew Jackson, who had escaped slavery in South Carolina, en route to freedom in Canada. Today, the building is owned by Bowdoin College and is a National Historic Landmark and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site with the National Park Service. ✏ & 📸 from Bowdoin College. This incredible part of our history is also protected by a preservation easement held by Maine Preservation.

June 10, 1796, the town of Bethel was incorporated. The Maine Preservation team gained insight into local history on o...
06/10/2026

June 10, 1796, the town of Bethel was incorporated. The Maine Preservation team gained insight into local history on our residency visit to Bethel in Fall 2022. Among the historic sites visited was the Mason House, (pictured) one of two historic houses operated by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. A participant in Jane’s Walk ME, the annual festival of free walks and programs spearheaded by Maine Preservation each May (2026 walk participants pictured!), the Bethel Historic Society is an incredible steward of this town’s architectural history and cultural legacy.

Brooklin’s historic Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall is a testament to the power of community action! Following inc...
06/09/2026

Brooklin’s historic Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall is a testament to the power of community action! Following incorporation of the town June 9, 1949 (fun fact: it was originally named Port Watson!), the Odd Fellows commissioned Ralph Bent to design and build the three-story balloon-framed Italianate-style structure in 1896. Listed in the National Register in 1990, the Hall is the largest and most architecturally significant building in Brooklin, enjoying a commanding view overlooking Eggemoggin Reach on Penobscot Bay. Housing the IOOF Lodge on the top level, community functions on the second floor, and ground-floor commercial, the structure was abandoned in the 1990s and sat vacant for decades. In 2020, Brooklin community members banded together to secure private funding and use state and federal historic rehab tax credits to revive the hall. Today, upper floors serve as vacation rentals and the first floor is a boat shop. 📸 Richard Powers.

We’ve all heard the expression, “it takes a village to raise a child.” That mindset of community knowledge and responsib...
06/08/2026

We’ve all heard the expression, “it takes a village to raise a child.” That mindset of community knowledge and responsibility to educate the next generation (and a little play on words) is at the heart of Maine Preservation’s new children’s education curriculum, It Takes a Village! Debuted at last week’s Old Building Forum & Annual Meeting, we’re excited to share our enthusiasm for architecture, history, design, and more with young Maine learners (designed for grades 3 and 4). Have a closer look via link in bio.

The Art Deco style had just recently debuted at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Ar...
06/06/2026

The Art Deco style had just recently debuted at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris when, a short six years later, the Criterion Theater opened June 6, 1932, in Bar Harbor (pictured). Tell us: what’s your favorite style building in Maine? 📸 Criterion Theatre

Put down the hammer. Rest your ladder a moment. Before rushing into work, complete a Building Conditions Assessment! It’...
06/04/2026

Put down the hammer. Rest your ladder a moment. Before rushing into work, complete a Building Conditions Assessment! It’s easy to let enthusiasm for progress mobilize you and your team before you truly know what you’re up against. And doing so *could* mean you miss out on critical grant opportunities that could have a major impact on your project.

A Building Conditions Assessment identifies and describes character-defining features (decorative details, floorplan, specific materials, and more), assesses the integrity and functionality of existing materials, and establishes a priority order to sequence repair work. It also aids in developing a budget and fundraising plan prior to beginning a capital project. Some grant programs, including The 1772 Foundation, Inc. administered by Maine Preservation, require a Building Conditions Assessment. Where to start? Maine Preservation can assist in identifying qualified preservation professionals (architects, engineers, consultants). We also offer this service. DM or email [email protected] to start a conversation! 📸 Elsie Parrot conducting a Building Conditions Assessment of the Patten Cultural Center.

What do a 🪡 Sewing Society, a Baptist congregation, and local farmers have in common? In the town of Westport, all three...
06/03/2026

What do a 🪡 Sewing Society, a Baptist congregation, and local farmers have in common? In the town of Westport, all three have at one time made use of the historic, c. 1794 Town Hall! Originally built as the Freewill Baptist meeting house, an array of groups have been welcomed into the building over the centuries. As the largest gathering space on Westport Island, Town Hall regularly hosts public meetings, lectures, weddings, fundraisers, and community dinners. Through the collaborative stewardship of the Friends of Westport Island History and the Town of Westport Island History Committee, the 232-year-old testament to local history is being carefully restored and maintained to ensure its continued viability to Westport residents. Maine Preservation, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, Inc. , is delighted to support the current campaign to reset foundation stones and replace a rotten sill. Anyone care to memorialize that in cross-stitch? 😉

Earlier this Spring, the Ellsworth Commercial Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places...
06/02/2026

Earlier this Spring, the Ellsworth Commercial Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places 👏. Stroll with us along State Street next week for a guided walking tour in partnership with Heart of Ellsworth. Learn about Ellsworth as a destination for entertainment (once boasting “movie theatre, bowling alley, and various billiard halls”!) and delight in the mix of architectural styles, from Greek Revival to Italianate to Art Deco!

⏰ Thursday, June 11, 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 16 State St, Ellsworth
🔗 Space is limited. Register now: https://mainepreservation.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F42424
🍽 Attendees will have the option to gather for lunch following the tour

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Yarmouth, ME
04096

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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(207) 847-3577

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