Maine's Lakes and Mountains Region
Visiting Porter, Parsonsfield, Limerick, Waterboro, Alfred, Lebanon and North Berwick
Tour Highlights
This tour shares pre-statehood houses and other structures of Southern Maine in a southward-bound journey from Parsonsfield to North Berwick.
Getting Started
This tour starts at 1 Old Meetinghouse Road in Porter. The tour route is approximately 50 miles and will take roughly 4 hours.
- Each tour stop on the map's address is linked to Google Maps so you can swiftly navigate from location-to-location if you choose Google for mapping. You can also use the address in your car's navigation system.
Be safe and aware of your surroundings whilst driving.
- Many properties on the tour are private places; be respectful of private property and remain on the public way at all times.
Click here to access a printable version of this tour.
Except as otherwise noted in the tour, the source for information about the properties has been gathered from each one’s National Register of Historic Places nomination.
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1
Porter Old Meeting House
Built ca. 1818-24, Vernacular
The Porter Old Meetinghouse is a typical example of New England architecture from the early 19th century. Although not fully constructed until 1824, the church was used for both religious and civic functions over the years and is today managed by the Parsonsfield-Porter Historical society.
The church was used by a sect called the "Bulloctoltes" who were followers of Elder Jeremiah Bullock, a Baptist clergyman. It has also been used as a town meeting house.
2
Blazo-Leavitt House
Built ca. 1812-17, Federal
Built by Daniel Blazo, whose father, Amos Blazo, was a shipbuilder from France, the interior of the Blazo-Leavitt House is significant for both its woodwork and its central hallways with arched ceilings. The woodwork is presumed to be done not by carpenters, but by shipbuilders who were out of work in Portsmouth due to the embargo Act of 1807.
The last member of the family to occupy the house was John Greenleaf Leavitt, grandson of John G. Leavitt and a distinguished naturalist at Harvard University.
3
Benjamin and Abigail Dalton House
Built ca. 1810, Federal
Built in the early 19th century, this is a fine local example of Federal style, and is notable for the circa-1830 murals drawn on its walls by Jonathan Poor, an itinerant artist. Poor was the nephew of Rufus Porter, who is more widely known as the founder of Scientific American magazine, but had an early career as an itinerant painter, and trained Poor in his methods. The Dalton house artwork is one of a relatively small number of house murals attributable to Poor.
The building was listed on the National Register in 1997, though the listing has yet to be digitized as of 2021.
4
Captain James Morison House
Built ca. 1785, Colonial
The Captain James Morison House, a late Colonial rural, inland residence, was built by Morison, a Revolutionary War veteran who fought at both the battle of Bunker Hill (1775) and Brandywine (1777). After being wounded at Brandywine, Morison left the army for one of the many rural townships opening up in rural Maine, like many other veterans. Morison occupied the house with his family until his death in 1840.
Upon Morison's death the house was acquired by Seth Chellis, who turned the property into one of the largest and most productive farms in Parsonsfield. In addition to this, Chellis also added the Greek Revival features to the house.
In addition to its historical significance, the house is also significant for its well-preserved murals by the painter and itinerant artist Jonathan D. Poor. These paintings, located on the walls of the front stairway and upper and lower halls, can be presumed to have been done at a similar time as the Greek Revival alterations.
5
Benjamin Webster Mansion
Built ca. 1799 with alterations in 1880, Federal with Greek Revival alterations
The Benjamin Webster mansion was built in the Federal style by Jacob Quincy, a cousin of John Quincy Adams. Around 1880, the home, then owned by Mabel Weddell, underwent major alterations including the addition of a Greek Revival portico.
It is a contributing structure to the Limerick Upper Village Historic District. View the district's National Register listing .
6
Major General John MacDonald House
Built ca. 1805, Federal
The Major General John McDonald is a Federal style house built for General John MacDonald, a Revolutionary War general and father of Moses McDonald, U.S. Representative form Maine during the 1850s. In the early 20th century, the home was converted into an inn.
It is a contributing structure to the Limerick Upper Village Historic District. View the district's National Register listing .
7
Reverend Edmund Eastman House
Built ca. 1790, rebuilt ca. 1870, Federal with Italianate detailing
The Rev. Edmund Eastman house is a Federal style home built for Rev. Edmund Eastman, the first pastor of the Limerick Congregational Church (organized in 1795) and the chief promoters of Limerick Academy. Today, the home features Italianate trim, a product of the 1870s remodeling.
It is a contributing structure to the Limerick Upper Village Historic District. View the district's National Register listing .
8
Elder Grey Meeting House
Built ca. 1806, Vernacular
The Elder Grey Meetinghouse, a simple, one-story frame building with a gable roof, was established as a union church with Baptist affiliations. The first pastor, Elder James Grey, was so well-loved in the community that in 1832 the church was moved to a new location just four miles away in order to be closer to the house of the aging pastor.
The building began to decay in the 1880s when the congregation started to gradually disappear, however there was a renewed interest in the following decades in both the history and spirituality of the structure. In addition to repairs and the restoration of the interior, a summer pastor, usually a theological student, was retained for a number of years.
This cycle of neglect and renewed interest occurred once more during the 20th century, eventually leading to the establishment of a trust fund and a yearly anniversary service.
9
First Baptist Church
Built ca. 1803 with alterations in 1849, Greek Revival
The First Baptist Church, also known as the Old Corner Church, is a rectangular wooden frame building featuring a Greek Revival style both on the interior and exterior (done during an extensive 1849 remodel).
Most significant, and unusual, about this building is that even in spite of a massive remodel in 1849, the earlier, original, structure of the church can still be identified - providing an important historical glimpse into the process by which religious buildings were adapted to meet later, current stylistic trends.
The congregation's origins can be traced to an organizational meeting on October 27, 1791, which was held by eight members of the local community known as the "Old Corner." Regular services were held in the building until 1947. Today it is used for occasional events in addition to the yearly Grange Sunday gathering.
10
Senator John Holmes House
Built ca. 1802, Federal
A lawyer and U.S. Senator, John Holmes was one of Maine's most prominent and respected men of the early 19th century. His 1802 Federal style mansion, with an impressive colonnade on three sides, originally included a balustrade with an iron bow and arrow motif - earning it the nickname “The Bow and Arrow House”. Local tradition attributes the bow and arrow motif to two possibilities: either Senator Holmes was criticized for his supposed Native American blood inherited from his mother's ancestors, creating the motif to spite his detractors; or he wished to show his support toward Native Americans because of his aboriginal heritage. Even without the survival of this feature, the house's original aspirations of grandeur remain one of its striking visual appeals today.
It is a contributing structure to the Alfred Historic District. View the district's National Register listing .
11
"Beehive"
Built ca. 1770, Colonial and Federal styles, among others
Consisting of three buildings joined together over the centuries, the sprawling structure features a conglomeration of many styles. The first structure in the "Beehive", erected by John "Barn" Knight, was the middle Colonial portion. Despite being the most altered portion of the structure overall, many features remain, such as the raised panelling in the front room.
The property was later purchased by Joshua Conant, an early entrepreneur who quickly sold said holdings one month later to Dr. Abiel Hall Sr. Dr. Hall began the process of adding additions to the structure, first adding the northern section in the Federal style and then the third, final section in the homestead style. The property at one point housed multiple families, hence the name.
It is a contributing structure to the Alfred Historic District. View the district's National Register listing .
12
Old Gristmill
Built ca. 1774, Vernacular
The Old Grist Mill, built by Joseph Hardiso, is the oldest surviving industrial building in Lebanon. It was in operation as a mill into the 20th century. Typical of 18th century construction, the mill is framed with heavy hand-hewn timbers, some of which 13" x 13" and are up to 22 feet in length.
Over the centuries there were various additional functions added. In addition to making flour, the mill also made shingles and clapboards, and also served as a general woodworking mill. During its heyday, the mill also included a small general store that served as the informal village center and meeting place. It was also the site of the town's first gasoline pump. The mill has been converted into residences and artist space.
13
Old Morrell House
Built ca. 1763, Colonial
The Morrell House, a late Colonial two-and-a-half-story frame design with a gabled roof and a central chimney, was built by Winthrop Morrell, one of the descendants of the first settlers in North Berwick. During the 1960's it underwent a careful restoration, which was done by local craftsmen whose families have lived in the area for generations.
14
Thomas Hobbs Jr. House
Built ca. 1763, Colonial
The Thomas Hobbs, Jr. House, a two and a half story post and beam with gable roof and central chimney, is a great example of local vernacular architecture from the later Colonial period. It was erected in 1763 for Thomas Hobbs, Jr. by Peter and William Morrill, with Hobbs himself assisting in cutting the timber.
The house was once the social center of the community and became a popular stopping place for travelers as it supplied food, drink, and lodging - earning it the nickname the "Hostelry." Hobbs' account books reflect great activity in the home beyond that of a landlord, including large amounts of powder and shot being sold in 1773-74 to persons who were later Captains of the Militia in 1775.