kids encyclopedia robot

American Boathouse facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
American Boathouse
American Boathouse is located in Maine
American Boathouse
Location in Maine
American Boathouse is located in the United States
American Boathouse
Location in the United States
Location Atlantic Ave., Camden, Maine
Area 0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built 1904 (1904)
NRHP reference No. 82000761
Added to NRHP February 19, 1982

The American Boathouse is a very old and special building in Camden, Maine. It was built in 1904 to keep a large yacht safe. It's one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the whole country! This boathouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history.

What is a Boathouse?

A boathouse is like a garage for boats. It's a building, often right on the water, where boats can be stored. Some boathouses are used for:

  • Keeping boats safe from weather
  • Storing boat equipment
  • Launching boats into the water

The American Boathouse was built for a very large yacht. This makes it a special kind of boathouse.

History of the American Boathouse

The American Boathouse was built in 1904. It was made for a man named Chauncey Borland. He was the first leader, or commodore, of the Camden Yacht Club. Mr. Borland owned a very big steam-powered yacht called Maunaloa. This yacht was about 130-foot (40 m) long! The boathouse was built specifically to keep this huge boat.

In 1982, the American Boathouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the boathouse for future generations. It shows how important this building is to the history of boating and Camden.

What the Boathouse Looks Like

The American Boathouse is located right by Camden's harbor. It sits near the Megunticook River. You can find it close to a public park and the Camden Public Library.

The building is long and made of wood. It has a large opening at the end facing the harbor. This is where boats would enter and exit. This big opening has a large door. The sides of the building have many windows. The roof is gabled, meaning it slopes down on two sides. The outside is covered with wooden shingles.

At the end of the boathouse facing the street, there is a square part with a hip roof. This section holds an office. It has a doorway facing the street and a window next to it.

kids search engine
American Boathouse Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.