Dixmont Town House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dixmont Town House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 702 Western Ave., Dixmont, Maine |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1836 |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000361 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 2014 |
The Dixmont Town House is a very old and important building in Dixmont, Maine. It was built in 1836. This building was used for "town meetings," which are like big community gatherings. People would meet there to make important decisions for their town.
The Dixmont Town House is special because it's one of the oldest town halls in Maine that was built just for these public meetings. It was used for town meetings until 1952. Later, it was carefully fixed up to look like it did in the early 1900s. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This list helps protect important historical places across the country.
Contents
What the Dixmont Town House Looks Like
The Dixmont Town House is in the middle of Dixmont. You can find it on the south side of Western Avenue. This road is also known as Maine State Route 9 or United States Route 202.
Building Features
The building is a small, one-story structure made of wood. It measures about 35.5 feet by 40.5 feet (about 10.8 by 12.3 meters). It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, called a gabled roof. The outside walls are covered with wooden clapboard siding. The building sits on a strong foundation made of granite.
Doors and Windows
The front of the building faces the street. It has two windows with movable sashes. A simple wooden door is in the center, between the windows. The main entrance, another wooden door, is on the side of the building that faces east. Both the doors and windows have simple wooden frames around them.
Inside the Town House
When you go inside, you'll find one large room. The lower part of the walls has wide wooden panels, called wainscoting. Above that, the walls are covered with original plaster. The floor is made of wide pine boards, just like it was when the building was first made.
History of the Dixmont Town House
Most people believe the Dixmont Town House was built in 1836. This is when the land was officially given to the town. The way the building is designed and built suggests it might be even older. However, records show that the town used other buildings for meetings before 1820.
One of Maine's Oldest Town Halls
The Dixmont Town House is one of the oldest town halls still standing in Maine. It was built specifically for town meetings and other public uses. Only the Turner Town House, built in 1831, is known to be older in the state.
Recent Restoration Work
Between 2008 and 2013, a local historical society worked hard to restore the building. They wanted to make it look almost exactly as it did in the early 1900s. This careful work helps preserve the building for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
