Cate House (Castine, Maine) facts for kids
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Cate 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 | Corner of Court and Pleasant Sts., Castine, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | Castine Historic District (ID73000240) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000040 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 26, 1970 |
| Designated CP | February 23, 1973 |
The Cate House, also called the Adams House, is a historic building in Castine, Maine. It stands at the corner of Court and Pleasant streets. This house was built in 1815. That was a time when Castine was a very busy and successful town. It is a great example of a Federal-style house from that period.
The house was first built for Thomas Adams. He was an important local leader. Later, a famous writer named Harriet Beecher Stowe lived there for a while. The Cate House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it is recognized as a special historical landmark.
What Does the Cate House Look Like?
The Cate House is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made of wood. The front of the house has five windows across. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides. There are two chimneys inside the house.
The main entrance is in the middle of the front. It has windows on the sides of the door. Above the door, there is a beautiful fan-shaped window. A two-story section extends from the back of the house. Inside, the house has a central hallway. There is a fancy carved staircase. You can also find a unique curved door inside.
Who Lived in the Cate House?
The Cate House was built in 1815. This was right after the War of 1812. Castine was a busy port town back then. The house was built for Thomas Adams and his wife, Jane Russell Adams. Thomas Adams was a local leader. He served as a selectman, which is like a town council member. He also worked in the state legislature, helping to make laws for Maine.
Their daughter, also named Jane, married Charles Cate. They became the next owners of the house. Their daughter Anna married Sanford B. Dole. He became a very important leader in Hawaii in the late 1800s.
A famous American writer, Harriet Beecher Stowe, stayed in this house. She is known for writing the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. Her visit makes the house even more special. In 1970, when the house was listed as historic, it belonged to the Maine Maritime Academy. It was used as housing for one of their top officers.
