Colonial Theater, Augusta (IN MOTION)

The Story

Designed by Harry S. Coombs and opened in 1913, the Colonial Theater featured silent films with live music until the 1920s when ‘talkies’ were developed. Local films produced in Augusta were featured at the theater. Early enlargement and upgrades allowed for the theater to become one of the most important entertainment venues in Augusta until its closure in 1969.

 The Threat

Since the 1970s, the Colonial Theater has been used as storage and suffered from deferred maintenance and neglect. Through the deterioration, the building has been determined to be salvageable.

 The Solution

Now that the building has been determined to be eligible for the National Register, the city will no longer be able to use federal funding to aid in the demolition. More funding and awareness will assist in the preservation efforts and ensure the preservation of this important location and ensure the quality of place.

Chocolate Church, Bath

The Story

The Chocolate Church, a Gothic Revival Style structure in Bath, was constructed in 1847. Designed by Arthur Gilman, the church commands a presence as one of the most high style examples of sacred architecture in wood. The church is currently home to the Chocolate Church Arts Center, and important cultural center for Midcoast Maine.

 The Threat

Deteriorating conditions of the structure are the primary concern in the Chocolate Church. The belfry is particularly endangered due to the advanced deterioration of its structure, and the tower leans to one side.  An Analysis of current conditions by Preservation Timber Framing notes that quick action is necessary to preserve the historic integrity of the structure.

 The Solution

Community support and consistent efforts on the part of the Chocolate Church Arts Center are the backbone to any preservation efforts. Additional sources of funding will have to be secured in order to ensure its longevity.

Old Blue Hill Academy (IN MOTION)

The Story

The Old Blue Hill Academy was constructed in 1833 in the Greek Revival style. Renovations in 1909 were designed by Blue Hill native, George Clough. Many architectural features are present, giving the building a distinct historic appearance.

The Threat

The Old Blue Hill Academy is suffering from lack of maintenance due to a decline in membership to the Duffy Wescott Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars[?].Decreasing income has left the building in a state of disrepair. Important architectural features have deteriorated and were unable to be replaced. Other features have been preserved through temporary solutions which have deferred impending deterioration.

 The Solution

Some repairs may be made on an emergency basis, but more support is needed to ensure the building’s protection. Concerned citizens have formed a group to give more attention to the building, more fully assess its condition and to seek a plan for its future use[?]. More public support and informed rehabilitation decisions will assist this building and help in its revitalization.

Hanson School, Buxton (LOST)

The Story

Completed in 1930 during the great depression, the Hanson School quickly became a staple of the Buxton community, serving as a high school, middle school, and elementary school over its 80-year history. Beyond its pedagogical functions, the school has also served as a gathering place for town meetings and as a hotbed of youth recreational activities. However, with the opening of the new Buxton Center Elementary School, the Hanson School has been closed and is not presently in use.

 The Threat

The Hanson School faces imminent demolition if an initiative to repurpose the school into a community center does not pass on the June 14, 2011 referendum. This demolition is estimated to cost taxpayers over $75,000.

 The Solution

Publicity and canvassing is needed before the crucial June 14th vote. Should the article pass, then engineering/architectural studies will need to be completed and a master plan developed. Additional citizen involvement with the town of Buxton will be vital moving forward with the repurposing.

Buildings of Fiscally Challenged Institutions

Buildings of fiscally challenged Institutions, are threatened statewide by deferred maintenance, delayed decisions, and even abandonment due to diminished funding and membership. St. Anthony's Church in Jackman, an architecturally unique gothic style church built in 1928, was demolished last fall due to cost of maintenance, repair, upgrades and heating. Institutional leaders need to employ strategic planning, building assessments, multiple cost estimates and phasing for the historic landmarks under their care. Other historically significant places in Maine are in similar situations and will have the same fate, unless communities can support the efforts to restore these historically significant buildings.

 Appropriate action to protect, maintain and repair these vitally important Maine landmarks is needed now. The disappearance of these historic places is altering the character and quality of place that Maine has become known for.

Historic Bridges, Statewide

The Story

The Memorial Bridge, connecting Kittery, Maine with Portsmouth, New Hampshire was threatened with replacement. The vertical life bridge had deteriorated to the point of only being viable for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The bridge ultimately has been slated for demolition after expensive research was conducted to determine its current state. Many historic bridges in Maine suffer from a lack of current condition assessments which would assist in maintenance. 

 The Threat

Historic bridges are lacking proper maintenance and are being replaced because they are too deteriorated to repair. There is no program in place to assess current conditions and establish a cohesive plan for preservation.

 The Solution

Allocating financial resources for a comprehensive bridge survey, regular examination, and aggressive maintenance programs is a cost-effective ways to help retain historic bridges.

Historic Mills (Lewiston/Auburn & Saco/Biddeford) (IN MOTION)

The Lewiston Mills are a significant historical and cultural part of Maine's woking heritage. The mill era in Lewiston, began in the mid 1800's, and prospered during the civil war, growing and expanding with the increasing population. Lewiston's location on the Androscoggin River proved to make it a perfect location for emerging industry during this time, but starting in the 1950's many of the textile mills began closing as more businesses and people moved out of the town center. As the mills closed, and population began to decline the historic mill district began to deteriorate.

 Threatened by the risk of vacancy, arson, and historically incompatible redevelopments, the Lewiston Mills are at a high risk for demolition. Cowen Mill, pictured above, was listed on the national historic registrar, later condemned and destroyed by arson. The canal system has been proposed to be filled, and the Avon Mill may be razed in order to accommodate a traffic circle. Bates Mill# 5 was recently threatened by a demolition order, but has since been reevaluated with hopes of becoming a premier convention center.

 Appropriate adaptive reuse projects are desperately needed in order to preserve and restore the defining character of the area. The cities of Lewiston and Auburn could examine successful mill rehabilitation projects in other cities, and develop a strategic plan for the remaining mills.

Inappropriately Weatherized Houses

The Story

Many new techniques for weatherizing houses have fallen short of preservation standards. Many homes are undergoing updates that deteriorate the historic fabric of the structure.

The Threat

Due to global climate change, recent spokes in energy costs, and the economic recession, the methods for weatherizing houses have become detrimental to the historic fabric of these houses. The building supply industry has accelerated marketing of materials, some of which are not advantageous for existing and historic buildings, especially replacement windows.

 “Weatherization is a priority for Maine homeowners and over one quarter of Maine’s housing stock was built before 1940,” stated Executive Director Greg Paxton. “Many of the building materials and weatherization techniques being marketed right now may not be advantageous for existing and historic buildings in terms of cost savings, architectural integrity and structural durability. That’s why it is urgent for us to highlight this issue on this year’s Most Endangered List.”

 The Solution

Equally effective and much more inexpensive solutions can achieve the same performance improvements while not risking damage to the historic structural systems. In the case of windows, many solutions exist such as installation of storm windows, shades and curtains, wood stoves or thermostat adjustment are viable options.