Visiting The Landmarks In The Great State Of Maine
Deciding on a vacation destination is an important step for anyone put in charge of making that decision. Much of the best memories kids and adults have are those they accumulated during various vacations they have taken. One of the areas of the country that often gets overlooked when it comes to vacation location considerations is the state of Maine. This area of the country though is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and natural areas in the entire United States. Along with the natural beauty of the state of Maine, there are also a large number of interesting and historically significant things to do throughout the state. Maine has a long and rich history and is a great place for anyone calling themselves a history enthusiast to visit during anytime of the year. Here is a look at some of the must-see landmarks in the state of Maine.
The American Eagle
The fishing industry is one of the strongest industrial ties that the communities of Maine have. Constructed as the ‘Andrew and Rosalie’ in 1930, the American Eagle was declared a National Historic Landmark in the early 1990s. The American Eagle is the last two masted schooner ever built in the shipbuilding haven of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The schooner is now on display in the Rockland Harbor in Rockland, Maine.
Cushnoc Archeological Site
Most likely built in the early 1600s and used through the later parts of that century, the Cushnoc Archeological Site is a very interesting stop for anyone interested in early American history. The archeological site was the location of a Plymouth Colony trading post that was established in what many think to be the year 1628. The site was named a National Historic Landmark in the early 1990s and has provided an interesting look at the early days of North American settlement since then.
Fort Halifax
At one time, Fort Halifax was home to more than 600 soldiers, but now nearly all that remains is the blockhouse. The blockhouse is currently the oldest example of a blockhouse in the entire United States. The fort was built in the early 1750s during the early days of the French and Indian War. It remains as one of the best examples of fort construction from the American colonial period and is located in the community of Winslow, Maine.
Victoria Mansion
For one of the best looks at what the lifestyle of the wealthy and elite was like during the mid-1800s, a trip to the Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine is a must. Built in 1860, the Victoria Mansion features a brownstone exterior with many details that most homeowners of the time could simply not afford. From the overall design to the specific features, it is easy to see that this was not the home of commoners at the time. The interior of the mansion shows off the fine craftsmanship of the time and even features a number of things that were considered on the forefront of technology during its day. In architectural circles, the mansion is now seen as one of the best examples of a Italianate Villa style brownstone house in the entire country. One of the things that makes it truly unique is the fact that over the years it has endured very few alterations. The mansion is now a local museum and definitely well worth the time it takes to visit and explore its treasures.
Old York Gaol
Located in York, Maine, the Old York Gaol has had a fascinating history since its original construction in the early 1700s. From 1719 to 1879 it was used as a prison, including operating as a debtor’s prison for much of that time. During the history of the building it also saw time as a warehouse, boarding house and school. Currently it is a very interesting museum where visitors can still view many aspects of the original jail house andjailer’s quarters as they appeared in the late 1700s.
The Bowdoin
Constructed in 1921, the schooner Bowdoin is current used for educational purposes and is on display in Castine, Maine. The ship was built in East Boothbay, Maine and was designed to explore in the waters above the Arctic Circle. The Bowdoin was declared a National Historic Landmark in the late 1980s and is a true beauty to see, whether at sea or at port. Over the course of its life, the ship has made more than twenty-five excursions above the Arctic Circle.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Located in Brunswick, Maine, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House is where the author lived while writing her landmark anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in the house from 1850 to 1852 while her husband was employed as a professor at Bowdoin College which was located nearby. While the house is not open to the public, it is still a wonderful example of mid-1800s architecture and a great historical site.
The Winslow Homer Studio
Scarborough, Maine is home to the Winslow Homer Studio. The studio is one of many that Homer used to create some of his incredible works of art that have become favorites with art lovers every where. The building is owned by the Portland Museum of Art and is undergoing extensive restoration. The building was build in 1884 and was placed on the National Historic Landmark list in the mid 1960s.
Fort Knox
Anyone interested in American history would love to pay a visit to Fort Know, currently part of Fort Knox State Park, which is located in Prospect, Maine. A fine example of a fort built from granite, in fact this was the first granite built fort in the state of Maine. The construction process of Fort Knox was long and though it began in 1844, it was not completed until 1869. The fort is located on the banks of the Penobscot River and is named after the first United States Secretary of War, Henry Knox. The purpose of the fort was for protection and armament during a tense period when the United States and the United Kingdom were at odds over where the border between America and Canada would be. While the fort never saw action in a battle, it is a fascinating and well kept look at American military history.
Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Now operating as a museum in Portland, Maine, the Wadsworth-Longfellow home is the childhood home of the famous and popular American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The site was named a National Historic Landmark in the early 1960s and is a great stop for anyone interested specifically in Longfellow and also for anyone interested in architecture and general American history from the late 1700s and early 1800s. The home is also the oldest structure still stding on the Portland peninsula.
Lady Pepperrell House
The Lady Pepperrell House was built in 1760 and designated a National Historic Landmark approximately two hundred years later in 1960. The house is privately owned, but several times a year it is opened for public viewing. It has bee kept in amazing condition and much of the building remains the same as it did during its last period of regular use. The historic building is located in Kittery Point, Maine and even when viewed from the exterior is a very pleasant place to stop.
The Portland Observatory
Those travelers interested in maritime history should be very interested in making the trip to the Portland Observatory located in Portland, Maine. This is the last example of a maritime signal tower in the entire United States. The observatory stands eighty-six feet tall and consists of seven stories. It was built for the purpose of communication between the merchants of Portland and the incoming freighters. Through the use of a telescope and a lantern, arrangements for loading and unloading could be communicated between the parties long before the ships entered Portland Harbor. The observatory also served as a lookout during the War of 1812. Besides its historical significance, a great view of Portland and the surrounding area can be had from the top of the structure.
Maine’s ties to the maritime pursuits of shipbuilding and the fishing industry are legendary. The many coastal fishing villages that played large roles in the beginning days of the state are for the most still just as they appeared during the state’s formative years. A visit to Maine is a great way for an entire family or group to enjoy their vacation and at the same time see a great deal of things that they will remember for the rest of their lives. The kinds of memories made with a trip to Maine cannot be duplicated by visiting any other state in the United States of America. Maine is a truly original and unique location to choose as a vacation destination, and it has the ability to give any vacationer that comes its way a truly original and unique vacation experience.