1997 Maine's Most Endangered Historic Properties 

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

This year's Saved! properties:  Bar Harbor Club, Richmond Hotel, Old Town House, Irish Heritage Center (formerly St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church) and Colonial Pemaquid/NHL!

Eastport Savings Bank - Eastport (c. 1887)

In process - success is in sight!. This central landmark in downtown Eastport, vacated by Bangor Savings Bank in the mid-1990s in order to construct a new building with a drive-through, is currently the headquarters for the Tides Institute, a cultural resource for the Passamaquoddy region. Major masonry stabilization to the north wall was completed in 2005; additional restoration and rehabilitation work is underway.

Edith Patch House - Orono (c. 1840-60)

Rescued with Rehabilitation In the Works.   This National Register-eligible property, located in Old Town, is owned by the University of Maine and is the first property to receive a matching grant of $500 from the Preserve Maine fund, awarded by Maine Preservation to the Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch to help fund a Building Condition Assessment for the former home of this internationally-recognized scientist and educator.  This grant matched private funds raised by the Friends Committee and a grant by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to launch a restoration master plan and adaptive reuse project.

The building was under an immediate threat in 1997 when the property was nominated to the Endangered list. Maine Preservation was alerted by a concerned citizen in June of that same year regarding the Old Town Fire Department’s scheduled training exercise which would have destroyed the house.  Key decision-makers with the University responded to our advocacy efforts and notification of the National Register “determination of eligibility” made by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission by temporarily halting the demolition procedure. The Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch was quickly formed and has been raising awareness for the need to protect and interpret the house.   The University joined in the effort through endorsing the National Register nomination process. The project goals include the creation of a multi-use facility with an entomology library, and interpretive center dedicated to Dr. Patch and housing for visiting faculty at the rear. Rehabilitation is ongoing with the interior and exterior cleaned, vegetation trimmed and installation of a new sump pump and heater.  The next immediate goal is to repair the foundation and paint the exterior.  The garden restoration is another goal.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Edith Patch Center for Entomology, Environment, and Education, contact K. Elizabeth Gibbs, Professor Emerita of Entomology, and Chair, Friends of Edith Marion Patch, 588 Kennebec Rd., Hampden, ME 04444, (207) 862-3578.

Hathorn Block - Richmond (c. 1849)

In the works - FOR SALE

INVESTOR/DEVELOPMENT PARTNER POTENTIAL

This c. 1850 4+ story brick multi-use building is situated on a 17,000+ sq. ft. lot zoned commercial. The total floor area is approximately 16,200 sq. ft. It is located three miles east from I-95 and across the street from a deep water public park overlooking the Kennebec River and Swan Island in Richmond Village. 

This Greek Revival Style building was built by two brothers of the Hathorn family who were prosperous shipbuilders and merchants.  It was once the center of Richmond's thriving business district with the town's first bank and a store occupying the first two floors.  The Hathorn brothers themselves lived with their families and domestic staff in the remainder of the building.  In later years, the Richmond Post Office occupied the building, and the upper floors were divided into apartments.

During the 1960s, once-thriving downtown Richmond was in a period of decline. During this time, the Hathorn Block became a living space for artists and others, and the building began to suffer under deferred maintenance. It remains one of the oldest "Most Endangered" properties on the list yet to be rescued.

Hope for this Historic Property:

The Hathorn Block was purchased in August, 2003 by a new owner intent on rehabilitating the building and revitalizing this corner of Main Street. The roof was replaced, the masonry repainted, structural repairs were made and the interior was cleaned and prepped in anticipation of the rehabilitation.  Now, the owner is seeking investment partners with creative development solutions to continue the effort to bring this (currently vacant) historic building back to life!

(Note Dec. 2005: A zoning appeal is pending by the owner, who is seeking approval to increase the number of allowed units, currently limited to two commercial/two residential.)

For more information, contact Janet Clement, owner, at 355 Main Street, Richmond, ME  04357 or by phone at (207) 737-4646.     

St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center (Formerly the St. Lawrence Church) - Munjoy Hill, Portland (c. 1897)

In the Works. The St. Lawrence Congregationalists built this church in 1897 in response to a need for a bigger building due to the growth of the congregation (over 500 families).  Over the years the congregation began to dwindle, and, in an attempt to keep the building alive, the congregation successfully sought listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

In 1986, the congregation of a couple dozen dissolved and deconsecrated the building, selling it to private developers during the real estate boom of the 1980s.  After several failed attempts at reviving the building, the heat was allowed to go out in 1990 and the structure fell into serious disrepair.   That same year the building was listed as a local Portland landmark.  A few years later, in 1993, the St. Lawrence Church was purchased by Deirdre Nice and a partner with the proposal to renew the building as an arts and community center.

The Friends of the St. Lawrence Church, a non-profit corporation, was formed in 1996 with the mission to save the historic church.  They purchased the church from Deirdre Nice in 1997 and carried on the renovation efforts.  Several grants and federal funding have helped the renovation.

The Parish hall has been transformed into a 110-seat theatre, and has been serving the artistic community since May 2001.  The sanctuary is still in need of an estimated $5 million in repairs.  To make a donation, lend a helping hand, or to find out more, visit the Center's website at http://www.stlawrencearts.org/.

Corriveau Mill - Frenchville (c. 1810-1930) Demolished

GONE - 2005.  Even a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant, awarded to a Frenchville Citizens Action Committee to fund a planning study, could not save this unique wool carding and buckwheat grinding mill, believed to be the only one of its kind remaining in the St. John Valley.  To learn more about Aroostook County's historic buildings at rick, contact Don Cyr at P.O. Box 150, Lille, ME 04746, (207) 895-3516.

Delta Sigma House - Bowdoin College (c. 1874)

GONE. The unfortunate demise of the architecturally significant Benjamin Greene House (aka Delta Sigma House) was a blow to preservationists when Bowdoin College funded its complete dismantling. Despite meetings and suggestions by Maine Preservation, (and others, including former Delta Sigma members and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission), Bowdoin College decision makers chose to demolish the building instead of adapting the structure for a new use. The site remains vacant.

2005 Endangered List

2004 Endangered List  | 1999 Endangered List

2003 Endangered List  | 1998 Endangered List

2002 Endangered List  | 1997 Endangered List

2001 Endangered List  | 1996 Endangered List

2000 Endangered List  | Most Endangered Properties for Sale

Return to Top