Cumston Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cumston Hall
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 796 Main St., Monmouth, Maine |
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| Built | 1899-1900 |
| Architect | Harry Hayman Cochrane |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival; Queen Anne Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000130 |
| Added to NRHP | August 14, 1973 |
Cumston Hall is a beautiful old building in downtown Monmouth, Maine. It was finished in 1900. This amazing building was a gift to the town from Dr. Charles M. Cumston. It's a great example of a style called Romanesque Revival architecture. Today, Cumston Hall is a busy place. It holds the local public library and is home to fun theater groups. Because it's so special, Cumston Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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What Makes Cumston Hall Special?
Cumston Hall is easy to spot in Monmouth village. It stands on the east side of Main Street. This large building has two stories and is made of wood. It has a sloped roof and a strong granite base.
A tall, square tower sticks out from the front right side. It's about 70 feet (21 meters) high! The tower has a pointy roof with small turrets, like tiny castles, at the corners.
Looking at the Outside Details
The outside of Cumston Hall is covered with fancy wooden decorations. You can see round columns supporting arches on the first floor. The windows on the upper floor are often paired. They have round arches at the top. Above the main entrance, there's a special three-part window. It's called a Palladian-style window. This window is set in a section that sticks out and has a gable roof.
The Story of Cumston Hall
Cumston Hall was finished in 1900. It was named after Dr. Charles M. Cumston. He used to be a headmaster at the English High School in Boston. Dr. Cumston gave this wonderful building to Monmouth. He made sure it had a library and a big room for performances, called an auditorium.
Who Designed This Amazing Place?
Dr. Cumston chose Harry Hayman Cochrane to design and decorate the hall. Cochrane (1860–1946) was an artist who painted murals. He actually went to school in Monmouth! His artwork is famous inside Cumston Hall. You can see paintings of cherubs (like little angels) on the ceiling. There's also detailed plaster work that was shaped by hand. This beautiful plaster frames the walls, boxes, and the arch around the stage.
What Happens at Cumston Hall Today?
Today, Cumston Hall is a very important part of the community. It is home to the Cumston Public Library. Two theater groups, the Theater at Monmouth and the Monmouth Community Players, also use the hall. Many local events and activities happen here too. The plays and shows put on at Cumston Hall bring people from outside Monmouth to visit this historic landmark.
See also
- Monmouth Academy (Maine)
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County, Maine
