2000 Maine's Most Endangered Historic Properties

Maine's Historic Neighborhood Schools Communities Statewide

Jefferson Street School in Old Town, Maine

Update. Recently the National Trust partnered with CEFPI, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, and the US Environmental Protection Agency to help promote the new guidelines to governors, state departments of education, state historic preservation officers, and statewide and local historic preservation organizations. CEFPI’s new publications will help local citizens, city officials, school board members, school district personnel, and land-use planners make informed decisions about school renovation and construction. (more)

Endangered. From Old Town to Edgecomb, Calais to South Portland, historic neighborhood schools in Maine are being abandoned and replaced at an alarming rate. Often the center of our communities, they are traditional neighborhood anchors and architectural landmarks. Yet historic schools are succumbing to deferred maintenance and consolidation efforts, resulting in closure and subsequent new "sprawl schools" on the outskirts of town, impacting communities in numerous ways.

Maine Preservation joins with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Maine State Planning Office in a comprehensive effort to retain and renovate neighborhood schools by advocating for change in conflicting public policy, technical, attitudinal and other barriers.

Included among common misconceptions is that new schools are always better than older buildings, and that the cost of renovation is higher than new construction. New building codes can also form an obstacle towards rehabilitation of older buildings.

Maine Preservation is concerned with this trend not only because historic buildings are being abandoned, but so are neighborhoods. The ABCs of School Site Selection, prepared by the Department of Education and State Planning Office, contends that rural, out-of-town school sites cost more due to extension of utility lines, provision of on-site services and transportation. Less measurable costs include increased air pollution, difficulty linking with needed services, and the promotion of "unplanned, undesirable development, including residential and commercial sprawl and the loss of open space."

There are many alternatives to closing a school, and all of these should be closely examined before the decision is made to board them up. The Department of Education's mission statement declares, "Maine people will be among the best educated in the world." Maine Preservation believes strongly that the protection and preservation of historic community schools helps to achieve this goal.

Liberty Hall, Machiasport - Washington County  

Liberty Hall, Machiasport

Endangered. Built in 1873, this striking Italianate town hall served the small down east community of Machiasport as the daily social center for over 120 years before the town offices were moved to a new combined facility. Since then, the large multi-purpose structure has sat vacant and suffering from moisture and animal-related damage, including failed plaster and a deteriorated ceiling. The top stage of the central tower was removed over ten years ago. The expansive second floor features a large stage with the potential for an accessible rear entrance. The building is structurally sound, but efforts must be made soon to halt further decay. The community is seeking funding to rescue the building. A $5,000 matching grant from the Libra Foundation helped fund partial roof repairs. However, this is a crucial time for this building, and further steps need to be taken immediately in order to save this significant community resource.

For more information on Liberty Hall or to make a donation, contact Selectman Douglas Campbell or Town Clerk Margaret Flaherty at (207) 255-4516.

61 Winthrop Street (Formerly thought to be the Jacob Abbott House) Hallowell - Kennebec County  

Jacob Abbott House, 61 Winthrop Street, Hallowell

Endangered. Located within the Hallowell National Historic District, this building was formerly the headquarters for the Maine Publicity Bureau and for a considerable length of time mistakenly thought to be the home of Maine author Jacob Abbott.  The building has stood vacant for many years and is in serious need of immediate stabilization and repair from foundation to roof. Peeling paint, broken windowpanes and overgrown vegetation are all highly visible signs of deterioration. This historic property is available for sale.

For more information regarding this property contact Elaine Clark, Bureau of General Services, at (207)287-4000 or Sam Webber of Rowhouse, Inc. at (207) 263-8601.  

Governor Bodwell House, Hallowell - Kennebec County

Governor Bodwell House, 15 Middle Street, Hallowell

Endangered. Built in 1875, this privately owned high style Second Empire style house is the subject of significant community outrage due to its current state of disrepair. This was the home of Joseph Bodwell, founder and president of the Hallowell Granite Works Company, who twice served as Hallowell's mayor, as well as two terms in the state legislature. He was elected governor in 1886, and died in office in December 1887. The building is celebrated not only because of its prominent owner but by architectural historians for its striking design. The property is located prominently within both the National and local historic districts. Differed maintenance combined with no minimum required in the current zoning requirements has led to an every worsening situation.

For more information regarding this property contact the Hallowell City Manager at (207) 623-4021 or Sam Webber of Rowhouse, Inc. at (207) 623-8601

Concrete Thru Tied Arch Bridge # 2187, Norridgewock - Somerset County

Endangered. The longest of only three bridges of its type in Maine, this two-lane 1928 bridge spanning the Kennebec River faces an uncertain future due to high traffic volume, road narrowness, concrete deterioration and high cost of maintenance. This graceful National Register-eligible four-arch bridge was cited in the biography of State Bridge Engineer Llewellyn Edwards as one of his most significant achievements of the 1920s. It is also referred to in Maine Department of Transportation's Historic Bridge Inventory Form as one of the most notable bridge accomplishments of the Maine State Highway Commission. Currently, spalling concrete reveals the rusting steel reinforcement, causing it to be a safety concern among local citizenry. The 13'6" arches at either end of the bridge make it the lowest on route 201A, and trucks often clip the arches as they drive through, causing damage to the concrete and a danger to other drivers. Many local citizens would rather see the bridge replaced than repaired, but other concerned locals view the structure as an important piece of the village landscape, and want to evaluate all possible alternatives to demolition.

For more information on this structure, contact the Norridgewock Historical Society at (207) 634-2252 or the Maine Department of Transportation Engineering department.

Learn more about the Country School Association of America

Learn about Maine's Most Endangered Historic Properties success stories!

2008 Endangered List  | 2001 Endangered List

2007 Endangered List  | 2000 Endangered List

2006 Endangered List  | 1999 Endangered List

2005 Endangered List  | 1998 Endangered List

2004 Endangered List  | 1997 Endangered List

2003 Endangered List  | 1996 Endangered List

2002 Endangered List  | Most Endangered Properties for Sale

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