Baxter Summer Home facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Baxter Summer Home
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Frederick Thomason |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003155 |
| Added to NRHP | December 26, 1985 |
The Baxter Summer Home is a special old house located on Mackworth Island. This island is found in Casco Bay, right off the coast of Falmouth, Maine. Today, the house is a key part of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf.
This house was built between 1917 and 1918 by James Phinney Baxter. Later, his son, Percival Baxter, gave the house and the whole island to the state of Maine. Percival Baxter was a famous Governor of Maine. He is best known for creating Baxter State Park, a huge wilderness area. The Baxter Summer Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's recognized as an important historical building.
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What is the Baxter Summer Home?
The Baxter Summer Home is located in the middle of Mackworth Island. This island is shaped like a circle. It sits just off the coast of Maine. A special road called a causeway connects the island to the mainland.
Most of Mackworth Island is a state park. This means it is open for everyone to visit and enjoy. The house itself is part of a school campus. It is surrounded by buildings for the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. This area is usually not open to the public without special permission.
Design and Look of the House
The house is a large building with two and a half stories. It is made of dark red bricks. The roof is covered with green terracotta tiles. The foundation, which is the base of the house, is made of natural fieldstone.
A covered porch runs along the south side of the house. On the north side, there is a round sunroom. This room is called a solarium. The main entrance faces east. It has windows on both sides of the door. Above the door is a special window with stained glass. It shows a sailing design. The entrance is covered by a small porch. This porch is held up by fancy columns.
Who Built the Baxter Summer Home?
James Phinney Baxter bought Mackworth Island in 1885. He was a very important person in Portland, Maine. He served as mayor six times. He was also a leading historian and businessman.
James Phinney Baxter hired an architect named Frederick Thompson. An architect is someone who designs buildings. Thompson designed this house, which was built from 1917 to 1918. It replaced an older wooden house that used to be there.
The Baxter Family's Legacy
James Phinney Baxter's son, Percival, inherited the property. Percival Baxter became the Governor of Maine in the 1920s. He served two terms as governor. His most famous achievement was creating Baxter State Park. He gave most of the land for this park to the state.
In 1943, Percival Baxter donated Mackworth Island to the state. He wanted it to be a permanent home for the state School for the Deaf. The school was later renamed in his honor. The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf moved onto the island in the 1950s.
