Kennebec Arsenal, Augusta

The Story

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark--one of only 43 in Maine--in 2000, the Kennebec Arsenal remains one of the best and earliest surviving examples of 19th-century munitions depots in the United States. Built between 1828-1838, the complex of eight Greek and Gothic Revival granite buildings occupies a commanding location on the east bank of the Kennebec River in Augusta. The Arsenal was closed by the federal government in 1903 and, two years later, renovated into the Augusta Mental Health Institute by Lewiston architectural firm Coombs & Gibbs. In the early 1970s AMHI began to move patients out of the buildings and shut down due to the nationwide deinstitutionalization. In 2004, the Arsenal received a Save America’s Treasures grant to repair a deteriorated granite boundary wall and restore the cast iron and granite fence surrounding parts of the 41-acre site, but the property remains in dire need of further attention.

The Threat

The state sold the property to Neiman Capital of Durham, NC, in 2007 with a covenant requiring the owner to preserve, maintain, and repair the property in order to retain its value. Unfortunately, no major efforts have been initiated to rehabilitate the buildings. The state is alarmed about ongoing, substantial deterioration and filed a lawsuit alleging lack of maintenance and protection of the property and asking for repair or return of the property. Neiman Capital, LLC, denies every allegation. Extensive vandalism and deterioration have occurred since the purchase, including theft of historically significant features (copper piping, cast iron balusters, bronze handrails, etc...), broken doors and windows, peeling paint, graffiti and more. Without help, this property will continue to deteriorate and lose additional significant historic elements.

The Solution

A comprehensive development plan can save this endangered property and fully utilize its magnificent space and location on the Kennebec River. The arsenal holds great potential for innovative commercial or residential development. Potential development options include: wellness center; senior housing; office; event or business center; educational institute or residential community.

Annie Mills Farm, Aurora

The Story

The town of Aurora is home of the Annie Mills Farmstead, named by locals after a longtime resident who farmed the fertile blueberry fields that surround the property. The farmstead contains a Greek Revival Cape farmhouse, a style that was prominent in the mid-19th century, and a large red barn sitting adjacent to the rear ell of the house. It is believed to be one of the oldest houses in the area.

The Threat

The architecturally significant farmstead has sat vacant for several years, falling into disrepair as a result of deferred maintenance. The house was acquired as part of a blueberry farm. The current owner has no use for the house and barn. Many citizens have expressed concern over the state of the property and worry that it may fall into irreparable disrepair or become the victim of vandalism. This property is representative of many historic buildings acquired as part of a property intended for other purposes.

The Solution

The Annie Mills Farmstead remains an early and significant building on the Aurora landscape, one that represents the agricultural heritage of the state, as well as the local families that contributed to its legacy. In order to preserve this farmstead and other abandoned historic buildings, we hope the owners will recognize that they are significant community assets and also will seek an occupant to utilize the historic building in a manner that does not negatively affect the rest of the property.

Winnegance Store, Bath (SAVED)

The Story

In the mid-to-late nineteenth century, general stores were often the first business establishments in town, creating an anchor for the community. They became not only a place to buy a variety of goods, but also a place for the local townspeople to gather and socialize. The 1902 Winnegance Store functioned as such a store with a variety of owners until it closed in 2009. Many descendants from prominent families in the area ran the Winnegance store over time.

The Threat

The Winnegance Store’s existence is currently threatened by declining conditions from lack of use, or future potential development. The store may be eligible for the National Register on its own, or as part of a potential historic district but has yet to be listed.

The Solution

The Winnegance Store has great potential for a variety of uses. Since the store is easily accessible to the adjoining towns of Phippsburg, Bath, and West Bath, catering to the needs of these communities would help facilitate successful rehabilitation of the property. Maine Preservation is offering a $500 matching seed grant for project planning. A rehabbed general store in Lincolnville recently reopened, creating a place for locals to meet and buy local and organic products. 

Goddard House, Bridgton

The Story

The 2,600-sq.-ft. Goddard House, built in 1870, sits on 3.9 acres of land near Adams Pond in the village of South Bridgton. Many original Italianate features here remain intact, including clapboards with quoins, an elegant cupola, decorative brackets, doors, floors and moldings. The front doors contain their original etched glass and two ceilings are stenciled with colorful patterns. The house also retains some original lighting fixtures. Foundation and structural work on the barn is complete; the space has been transformed into a workshop. Substantial work on the property is still required, but the large rooms and unique features create a wonderful backdrop for an impressive restoration project.

The Threat

This beautiful house stands in a state of limbo--between potential decline and potential restoration. Some work has been completed (removal of plaster walls, for example, which will facilitate rewiring and plumbing) but more still needs to be done. Without a focused restoration effort, prized original elements, impossible to re-create, will be lost.

The Solution

The Goddard House needs an owner who will work to preserve the house’s distinct architectural features and use feasible, durable preservation techniques to complete the restoration. The property is currently for sale and listed through Linda Griffin at Pleasant River Properties, in Windham.

Narramissic Farm, Bridgton (SAVED)

The Story

Narramissic Farm, a historic hill farm which has evolved as a house museum and an event location, is situated on one of the highest points in Bridgton with 20 acres of fields and fantastic views to the north and west. Its centerpiece is a Georgian-style farmhouse built in 1797 by William Peabody, son of one of Bridgton’s first settlers. In the 1830’s his descendants renovated the farmhouse in the Federal Style and added the “Temperance Barn” (built without the traditional barrel of rum) and a  blacksmith shop. Located at the junction of two now-abandoned town roads which now serve as trails, the property currently holds festivals, events and small workshops seasonally. Some of the fields have recently been restored for hay production and are farmed with modern and organic methods, as well as historic horsepower, helping preserve the increasingly-rare open landscapes and vistas of the typical 19th century hill farm. Tours are available Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4pm, through Labor Day or by scheduled appointment.

The Threat

Due to fiscal constraints and a lack of volunteers or paid staff, Narramissic Farm suffers from deferred maintenance. While Bridgton Historical Society, which took ownership in 1986, is a fine steward, the property urgently needs additional support.

The Solution

New income-producing offerings to supplement the historical society's successful festivals, workshops and events must be explored. Opportunities worthy of consideration include more, larger events; encouraging volunteers and craftsmen to complete repairs and offer training sessions; using the fields to grow marketable produce, or leasing the land to generate supplemental revenue or hay sales; partnering with a farmer to operate the farm while also promoting public offerings; or exploring long-term lease or potential sale of the buildings for residential use, with stringent preservation and conservation easements.

Caboose & Water Tower, Frenchville (SAVED)

The Story

Built of redwood in 1910, the Green Water Tank replenished the water supply of steam-powered locomotives. The tank became obsolete in 1958 when diesel replaced the last of the steam engines. The town of Frenchville purchased the tank from the Bangor & Aroostook (B&A) Railroad, using it as a water reservoir for the fire department until 1981. It is one of a few surviving railroad water tanks in the eastern United States. In 1985, a historical society formed and acquired the tower.

 Pullman Company built The B&A railroad car in 1943, originally as a World War II troop sleeper car. In 1949, the B&A Railroad refitted the car as a caboose. It remained in service until 1981 and B&A Railroad donated the caboose to the historical society in 1988. Both the caboose and water tank were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. The Caboose currently houses a display of books, local memorabilia, and antiques.

The Threat

In the 1980s, an Eagle Scout sanded and painted the Caboose, while other volunteers refinished the inside. In 1987, volunteers and Boy Scouts refurbished the exterior of the Water Tower, fixing the metal bands and the roofing and applying a new coat of paint. Since that time much of the  maintenance has been deferred. There is currently no maintenance plan for these structures.

The Solution

It is now time to again call upon volunteers, who have been so instrumental in saving the structures previously, to help maintain them again. Developing a long-term maintenance plan could aid in ensuring protection against weathering and deterioration and help the water tank and cabooses survive for future generations. One way to aid continual maintenance of a structure is by utilizing its space. Exploring options for community use of the Caboose could help its long-term preservation.

Stevens School, Hallowell (IN MOTION)

The Story

The town of Hallowell is home to the Stevens School, a historically significant campus that stands as testament to Maine’s social and educational history. Formerly known as The Maine Industrial School for Girls, the school opened in 1875 and boasts several buildings showcasing the Colonial Revival style of architecture. Maine Industrial became the Stevens School in 1915 and functioned as a state facility until 1970, when it closed its doors. State offices then moved onto the campus, along with the Maine State Prison Pre-Release Center.

The Threat

The Stevens School became endangered after the state broached the idea of selling the property in 2008. The city of Hallowell expressed interest in purchasing the campus for $600,000 and leasing it back to the state (which continued to use the campus for offices and the Pre-Release Center), but the bid was pulled due to financial concerns. In the spring of 2013 the Pre-Release Center moved off campus so that the State Bureau of General Services could pursue potential sale. With the departure of the center and state offices, the Stevens School faces the combined threats of deferred maintenance, vandalism and illegal trespassing.

The Solution

The campus presents a unique opportunity for a mixed-use development, one that could utilize prominent architectural assets, interconnected open spaces, and the surrounding natural landscape. The campus could be re-adapted for residential space, offices, community venues, and small-scale retail, all of which could benefit from state and federal tax credits and ultimately initiate a thoughtful program of adaptive reuse.

St. Joseph's Church, Lewiston (IN MOTION)

The Story

Designed by 19th-century architect Patrick C. Keely and completed in 1867, St. Joseph’s Gothic Revival-style church is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city of Lewiston. The building holds deep ties with the development of the town and the influx of Irish and French Canadian Catholics who poured into the city to work on and in mills in the mid-19th century.

 The Threat

Financial difficulties and a shrinking congregation in Lewiston and Auburn. led to the diocese to close the church in 2009. The building sat vacant for 3 years, its maintenance deferred until Central Maine Healthcare purchased St. Joseph’s in May 2013 for $125,000. CMH initially announced plans to demolish the sanctuary to make way for parking spaces, but earlier this month, it temporarily withdrew its demolition application. According to spokesman Chuck Gill, Central Maine Healthcare is reviewing options, and remains sensitive to the. church's historic and sentimental value to the community.

 The Solution

Adaptive use of religious buildings has proved successful for many abandoned churches, breathing new life into the buildings and surrounding neighborhoods. Some are used as community centers and concert halls, such as the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston. Others are used as highly visible, flexible office, space such as the Swedenborgian Church in Philadelphia. Historic churches have also been successfully repurposed into restaurants, including Grace Restaurant in Portland, which used historic preservation tax credits.

Odd Fellows Block, Norway

The Story

The Odd Fellows Block in Norway was built in 1893 for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Norway Lodge #16, after a fire ripped through the downtown business district, destroying several buildings. The basement and ground floors were built first and the second and third floors constructed in 1910. While the ground floor was used as storefronts, the third floor was built to serve the fraternal order as a ceremonial space. The Odd Fellows used the space for most of the 1900s. The building has also been utilized by a number of businesses and offices over the years, demonstrating its significant role that fraternal orders held in perpetuating commerce in the downtown district. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

 The Threat

The Odd Fellows Block has recently experienced several changes in ownership. Sadly, recent owners have failed to fully reuse the historic building. The interior of the building was gutted in 2008 when the owners sought to renovate the entire building and reopen storefronts on the ground floor. However, renovations stopped in 2010 when the owners lost the building to foreclosure.

In December 2012 the Odd Fellows Block was sold to a new owner, but the future of the building remains unclear. The building remains vacant and has fallen into decline after years of underutilization. Many windows on the second and third floors have been broken.

The Solution

Work has finally begun on the Odd Fellows Block in July 2013, beginning with the repair of the broken windows. However, the future of the Odd Fellows Block remains uncertain. With its prime location in the downtown district, next door to the beautifully rehabilitated Norway Opera House, as well its history of housing commercial and business entities over the years, the building offers an advantageous location for shops, offices, and residential space.

George Washington Oddfellows Lodge, Pembroke (SAVED)

The Story

The circa 1890 George Washington Lodge No. 23, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall was built in the Italianate style and includes 3,600 square feet of space on two floors. It features striking original varnished woodwork, two large rooms and the furnishings used by the IOOF. The building is located near the water in the picturesque Downeast coastal town of Pembroke.

 The Threat

The building is structurally sound with original floors, walls, doors and windows in serviceable condition, but in need of periodic maintenance. The property is vacant and the roof will need to be replaced soon.

 The Solution

This property is offered for sale for $79,000 through the Maine Preservation Revolving Fund with a preservation easement and rehabilitation agreement. Possibilities abound in this structure with large, open spaces. The original woodwork adds historic character and warmth to the building. With some rehabilitation this property can once again become as asset to the community. Inventory for an antiques business can be included in the sale.

Stackpole Bridge, Saco (SAVED)

The Story

The Stackpole Bridge in Saco was built in 1848 at the request of local farmers who sought a direct roadway to connect their farms with the mills in Biddeford and Saco. The bridge is noted for its keyhole-shaped vaulted stone arch that rises 21 feet over the Stackpole Creek. The bridge is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. It remains the oldest stone bridge on a public road in Maine.

The Threat

The bridge has been monitored for signs of structural instability for over a decade, with specific attention given to its dry-laid masonry base. The bridge was limited to one-lane traffic in 2002. In May of 2013, the bridge was closed indefinitely to all traffic after an inspection by the city’s structural engineering firm found the bridge to be unsound. The closing of the bridge presents a problem for many of the citizens, as well as public safety officials, who rely on the structure for the most direct access between homes and the town. All are now forced to seek roundabout routes. 

Many residents in Saco have rallied to protect the bridge in the hopes of restoring the historic structure and again opening it to two-lane traffic.  Neighbors and other community members formed the Friends of Stackpole Bridge, to support restoration of the bridge, rather than the State’s preferred option of replacing the structure with a metal span and concrete abutments.

The Solution

In June 2013 Voters rejected a bond that sought to borrow $1.7 million to restore Stackpole Bridge. City officials have expressed concern with the future of the bridge and are actively pursuing funding alternatives and collaborating with a committee focused on the effort to save the architecturally significant structure. Replacement costs for the bridge may be lower than rehabilitation costs, but repair must be estimated at the maximum cost given uncertainty of the structure below the surface. The benefit of restoring the structure is that this 165-year-old span is likely to far outlast any replacement. 

Barrell Grove, York (SAVED)

THE STORY

Barrell Grove’s deep roots in Maine history began about 1712 as a small house associated with a sawmill. A second adjoining structure was built c. 1760 and both structures were encased in an expanded 1840 mansion. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. It primary associations are with the Sayward, Barrell and Blaisdell families. Owners and occupants included a delegate to Massachusetts’ convention that ratified the Constitution, and New England’s first female novelist. The house remains essentially unchanged from the mid nineteenth century. It retains both eighteenth and nineteenth century woodwork, flooring and plaster, as well as some rare federal-era Moses Eaton stenciling.

THE THREAT

Unoccupied for several years, the house has suffered damage from roof leaks and vandalism. While still structurally sound, it urgently needs a new roof to prevent loss of historic finishes and fabric. The house stands on a lot deemed more valuable by developers than the house itself, and is in danger of being either demolished or renovated in a way destructive to its historical character. It is currently owned by Fannie Mae, to which preservation is not a priority and is offered at $179,000 but is surrounded by $700,000 houses.

THE SOLUTION

A local preservation firm, Groundroot Preservation Group LLC has initiated and coordinated a group of local citizens and officials trying to save Barrell Grove. GPG has examined the building and informally documented its immediate needs. The Town of York’s Community Development Office has offered to explore local protection through historic district ordinances and help securing local tax credits. A local realtor, Gregory Gosselin of York Real Estate, has tried to secure preservation-minded buyers. All are working to assemble a group of investors to secure the property and stabilize it for resale to an appropriate buyer, perhaps through Maine Preservation’s Revolving Fund.