Concord Haven facts for kids

Concord Haven, also known as the J. Leon Williams House, is a special old summer home in Embden, Maine. It was built in 1915 and is a great example of Colonial Revival style architecture. This house is one of the few buildings in this quiet area that was designed by a famous architect.

The house was created by John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens. They designed it for James Leon Williams, who grew up in Embden. James Leon Williams was famous for his important discoveries in dentistry. In 1992, Concord Haven was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

What is Concord Haven?

Concord Haven sits on 50 acres of land in northern Embden. This land has both forests and farms. The house is located between Maine State Route 16 and the Kennebec River. It has an amazing view of the river.

How is the House Built?

The main part of the house is a rectangular building made of wood. It has a sloped roof with a special area on top called a widow's walk. This area has a railing and offers great views.

A two-story section extends from the left side of the house. Another smaller, one-story section goes even further from there. There is also a long sunroom added to the south side of the house.

The front of the house, which faces west, has a large two-story porch. This porch is held up by round columns. Underneath it is the main door, which has a beautiful fan-shaped window above it. There's also a balcony on the second floor.

The back of the house, facing the river, has a wide porch. This porch runs along the entire main part of the house. It also has a two-story porch with square columns. This area has a sitting space on the second level.

Who was James Leon Williams?

James Leon Williams was born in Embden, right across the road from where Concord Haven now stands. He trained to be a dentist. However, instead of just working as a dentist, he became a researcher.

What Did He Discover?

James Leon Williams made big steps in understanding how tooth enamel forms. He also studied how bacteria affect teeth. He was very good at creating new ways to make dental prosthetics, like false teeth. He wrote many important papers about dentistry.

Williams hired the well-known architecture firm of John Calvin Stevens to design his summer home. At that time, John Calvin Stevens was working with his son, John Howard Stevens. When Concord Haven was listed on the National Register in 1992, it was the only large building in Embden designed by a famous architect.