Frances Perkins served as U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, becoming the nation’s first female cabinet secretary, and the driving force behind the New Deal. Among her many contributions to our society are Social Security, minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, banning child labor, and developing unemployment insurance and worker compensation systems. Her place of respite was her family homestead in Newcastle, where she summered her entire life.
The 57-acre saltwater farm situated along the Damariscotta River features the 1837 Greek Revival, brick house, a connected house, and barn complex. This modest but dignified homestead was continuously owned and occupied by the Perkins family for over 280 years. It embodies the New England traditions of hard work, thrift, and community responsibility that guided Frances Perkins throughout her long life.
Tomlin Perkins Coggeshall, Frances’ only grandchild, along with his husband Christopher Irvine Rice, were the last to live at the property and played an integral role in founding the Frances Perkins Center in 2009.
First, the nascent organization successfully nominated the property to the National Register of Historic Places, sought assessments of the buildings, and explored options for acquisition. Shortly thereafter, the National Park Service approved the site’s enhanced designation as a National Historic Landmark.
Although the homestead’s significance was now recognized, years of deferred maintenance and alterations needed to be addressed. The roofs had deteriorated, window and door openings were compromised, various elements of its structure were unstable, and all systems were antiquated. The concerted effort caught our attention landing the homestead on our 2018 list of Most Endangered Historic Places.
Following an ambitious capital campaign to raise over $5 million, the Frances Perkins Center purchased the property in 2020 and launched the rehabilitation. Spencer Preservation oversaw the details of the meticulous work and E.J. Perry Construction Co. served as the primary contractor. The scope of work included a new roof, repairing windows and doors, replacing gutters, and completion of critical structural repairs to permit safe public use of the interior spaces of the house, barn, and ells. A later dormer addition had compromised the ell and was carefully removed to restore its integrity. Antiquated systems were upgraded for energy efficiency and a security system was installed to protect valuable collections.
The project also restored a porch that had been removed from the north side of the house in the mid-20th century. By piecing together glimpses of the porch in the family’s photograph collection, calculating proportions, and observing ghost lines on the existing brick, Spencer Preservation accurately re-designed the porch and skilled carpenters brought it to fruition. A lift was creatively integrated into the restored porch, which now serves as the primary entrance for visitors.
The project was supported financially by hundreds of individual donors and a Save America's Treasures grant from the National Park Service. The State of Maine provided grant funds as well as technical expertise and advice, and The 1772 Foundation in partnership with Maine Preservation awarded grant support. The project received great support from the Town of Newcastle and Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, which protects the land through a conservation easement.
Opening the Frances Perkins Homestead National Historic Landmark in 2023 was a major milestone in honoring the legacy of a remarkable woman whose work continues to improve the lives of ordinary Americans. Visitors and students of all ages can now appreciate the simple beauty of the preserved farm and come away inspired to emulate Frances Perkins, a great American whose character was shaped by this place and by her deep connections to Maine.
Project Participants
Brown, Richardson & Rowe
E.J. Perry Construction
Frances Perkins Center
Spencer Preservation
Photo Credits: Kari Herer; Doug Manley; Frances Perkins Center
