Blaine House facts for kids
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Blaine House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Capitol and State Sts., Augusta, Maine |
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| Area | 2.4 acres (0.97 ha) |
| Built | 1833 |
| Part of | Capitol Complex Historic District (ID01001417) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000024 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 29, 1964 |
| Designated CP | December 31, 2001 |
The Blaine House is the official home for the governor of Maine and their family. It's also called the James G. Blaine House. This important house became the governor's residence in 1919. You can find it in Augusta, right across from the Maine State House.
Contents
History of the Blaine House
The Blaine House has a long and interesting history. It was first built in 1833 by a retired ship captain named James Hall. The house was later bought by a very important person in Maine's history.
James G. Blaine's Home
In 1862, James G. Blaine bought the house. At that time, he was the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. He bought it as a gift for his wife, Harriet Stanwood. Her family was well-known in Augusta.
Blaine made the house much bigger. He added a new section to the back that looked just like the original part. He also took down some inside walls. This created a large space perfect for entertaining guests.
Becoming the Governor's Residence
During World War I, the house was used by Maine's Committee for Public Safety. This group helped keep people safe during the war.
Later, in 1919, Blaine's youngest daughter, Mrs. Harriet Blaine Beale, gave the house to the State of Maine. The state decided it would be the official home for the governor. The house was updated before the first governor moved in. Carl E. Miliken was the first governor to live there in 1921.
A National Historic Landmark
The Blaine House is a very special building. In 1964, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This is because of its connection to James G. Blaine. He was a very important political leader after the Civil War. He played a big role in national politics and diplomacy.
Modern Updates for Energy
In recent years, the Blaine House has received some important updates. These changes help make the house more energy efficient. This means it uses less energy for heating.
Saving Energy with Heat Pumps
In June 2014, new high-efficiency heat pumps were put in. These pumps help to heat and cool the house. They were installed to help lower the heating costs. A test of one heat pump in the governor's bedroom showed good results.
Before these updates, the Blaine House used a lot of heating oil. For example, in 2013, it used over 5,000 gallons of oil. This cost the state a lot of money.
Switching to Natural Gas
The old oil boiler is also being changed to use natural gas. This is another step to save money on heating. The natural gas system will only be needed on the very coldest days. These updates cost about $115,000 in total. They help the state save money and use less energy.
Current Resident
The current person living in the Blaine House is Governor Janet Mills.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de James G. Blaine para niños
