Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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White Memorial Building
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 109 Main St., Houlton, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Kendall, Taylor & Stevens |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000376 |
| Added to NRHP | January 15, 1980 |
The Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum is a cool place to visit in Houlton, Maine. It's located at 109 Main Street, inside a beautiful old building called the White Memorial Building. This building was built in 1903 and looks like a grand old house. The museum officially opened in 1937 after the White family generously gave the building to the town. Because of its special history and design, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
At the museum, you can see many interesting things! They have items from old schools like Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College. There's also a collection of photos by E. B. White, who was a famous photographer. You can also find military items, everyday objects from the past, and even art made by prisoners of war (POWs) from the Houlton camp during World War II.
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Discover the Aroostook County Museum
The Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum is a treasure chest of local history. It helps people learn about the past of Houlton and the surrounding Aroostook County. The museum collects and shares stories and objects from the area's rich heritage. It's a great place to explore how people lived, worked, and played many years ago.
A Historic Home Becomes a Museum
The museum is housed in the White Memorial Building, a lovely two-story house built in 1903. It was designed by architects Kendall, Taylor & Stevens from Boston, Massachusetts. The house has a special style called Colonial Revival, which means it looks like older colonial homes but with modern touches from the early 1900s.
One of the most striking parts of the building is its large front porch. It has four tall, round columns that support a fancy roof, making the entrance look very grand. Inside, the house still has its original wooden details, which are simple but elegant.
The house was first built by Mrs. Mary Louise MacIntyre. Her family had built several homes on this spot before, but they were all lost in fires. After Mrs. MacIntyre passed away in 1934, Stella King White bought the house. She then donated it to the town so it could become a museum for everyone to enjoy. Today, a small part of the building also hosts the Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
What You Can Explore Inside
The museum has several rooms, each filled with different types of historical items. You can imagine stepping back in time as you walk through them.
- The Ricker Room: This room features items from Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College, important local schools.
- The Military Room: Here you'll find uniforms, weapons, and other objects related to military history.
- Sarah Houlton Kitchen: See what a kitchen looked like in the past, with old cooking tools and furniture.
- The Children's Room: This area might have toys, games, and other items that belonged to children long ago.
- Fancy Goods Room: Discover beautiful decorative items and special belongings from the past.
- Dining Room: Imagine formal dinners in this room, set up with historical dining pieces.
- Edward B. White Photo Collection: Explore photographs taken by E. B. White, showing life in Houlton.
- Camp Houlton & POW Camp: Learn about the local military base and the prisoner of war camp from World War II.
- Col. Frank M. Hume: This section might highlight the life and contributions of a notable local figure.
The Museum's Beginnings
The Houlton Historical and Art Museum was started in 1937 by a man named Ransford W. Shaw. He was very interested in Houlton's history. Mr. Shaw was the museum's first president until he passed away.
He once said that when he suggested creating a museum, many people liked the idea. So, they held a meeting and formed a group called the "Aroostook Historical and Art Museum." After some challenges, they first rented a room in a building in 1938.
Later, Mr. and Mrs. S. L. White bought the beautiful colonial home and gave it to the town for the museum. This house was also known as the Donworth House because Mrs. MacIntyre's daughter, Mrs. Marion L. Donworth, lived there for some years.
By 1948, the museum had collected over 1200 historical items! Many people helped the museum grow, including Arthur Brown, Mrs. Edith Donald, and Mrs. Elizabeth Lakin. George W. Shaw, R. W. Shaw's son, also gave a lot of support to keep the building in good shape. The White family's gift of the house was a huge help to the community.
See also
