Sewall Mansion, Bath

This 17-room house was built in 1844 and received a Colonial-revival style renovation by John Calvin Stevens in 1894 when it was purchased by Arthur Sewall as a wedding present for his son. The mansion is currently only one of more than a dozen similar properties on the market in Bath’s historic district. It has been vacant since it was foreclosed upon in 2013. The previous owner removed the rear barn, and replaced the windows, but a major roof leak has caused water damage. With the right investor this house has great potential as a multi-family property, Bed & Breakfast or single-family house.

Belfast Opera House, Belfast

The Opera House is part of the Hayford Block, a ca. 1866-1868 granite and brick commercial building located in downtown Belfast. Originally, the Opera House could seat 1,300 people and was a venue for entertainment, community, and sporting events. Most of the Hayford Block has been well rehabilitated and is rented.  The more challenging Opera House is waiting in the wings and will require community support and funding to bring it back to its original use as an events venue and performing arts center.

Lincoln Mill Clock Tower, Biddeford (IN MOTION)

The clock tower that sat beside Lincoln Mill in Biddeford was moved just before being demolished by the city. The clock tower was built in the 1850s for another mill in Biddeford but was moved to the Lincoln mill ca. 1890. Seven years ago it was deemed a safety hazard by the city and removed from the top of the mill to the ground. It slowly deteriorated until the city called for its demolition. Historian George Collard and a group of high school students raised $25,000 to move the tower. However, addition donations will be needed for the tower’s restoration.

City Hall Clock Tower, Biddeford (SAVED)

The current City Hall in Biddeford was built in 1894 to replace the original building destroyed by fire that year. Designed by John Calvin Stevens, the building and its clock tower have deteriorated over the last few decades. The clock tower itself has become increasingly unstable and the clock no longer functions. While minimal repairs have been made to decrease the rate of deterioration, the clock tower is in desperate need of restoration. Without support from taxpayers or grants, the clock tower faces destruction in the coming years.

Abijah Buck House, Buckfield (SAVED)

Built in 1791 by the founder of Buckfield, this house is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in rural Maine. The house retains many of its original Georgian features, including its woodwork, hardware, and a 9-foot fireplace in the kitchen. The current owner removed later alterations. Substantial work needs to be done to make this house a livable single family home once more. Maine Preservation is currently marketing the house to identify a preservation-minded buyer willing to restore this rare Maine asset.

Downtown Gardiner (IN MOTION)

Settled by a Boston doctor in 1754 and incorporated as a town in 1803, Gardiner flourished due to its location on the banks of the Kennebec River. Shipbuilding was the first major source of industry prior to paper and textile manufacturing later in the 19th and 20th centuries. In recent years, Gardiner has seen a revitalization of its historic district. However, that revitalization is being threatened by the rising cost of flood insurance. Now that flood insurance is no long subsidized, owners of commercial properties in historic waterfront towns like Gardiner could see their insurance premiums rise thousands of dollars. 

Skowhegan Drive-In Theater, Skowhegan (IN MOTION)

This summer (2014) was the 60th year that the Skowhegan Drive-In Theater has been open. There were once 39 drive-in movie theaters in the state of Maine. Now, there are only 5 still operating. Because of the movie production industry’s conversion to digital film, the Skowhegan Drive-In is threatened. The estimated cost to convert to a digital projection system and screen is about $80,000. Attempts at fundraising have been helpful, raising $12,000, but a substantial gap remains.