Fifth Maine Regiment Community Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fifth Maine Regiment Community Center
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 45 Seashore Avenue, Peaks Island, Portland, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000169 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1978 |
The Fifth Maine Regiment Community Center is a historic building found on Peaks Island, which is a lovely island neighborhood of Portland, Maine. It was built in 1888 by veterans of the American Civil War. These brave soldiers wanted a special place to remember their friends who had passed away. They also wanted a hall where they could meet up and share their memories. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today, it is open as a museum, teaching visitors about its history.
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Discover the Fifth Maine Regiment Building
Peaks Island is the biggest island in Casco Bay. It sits to the east of the main city of Portland. The Fifth Maine Regiment Community Center is on the south side of Peaks Island. It looks out over the water towards Cushing Island.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The center is a two-story building made of wood. It has a tall, pointed roof with windows sticking out, called dormers. One corner of the building has a cool three-story round tower, perfect for looking out at the ocean! A wide porch wraps around the entire building, offering a nice sheltered space. The outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboards. You can also see bands of decorative wooden shingles, which are cut into fancy shapes. The building sits right on a rocky ledge that slopes down to the shore. There's a small, rocky beach right there.
A Special Place for Veterans
This community center was built in 1888. It's a great example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. This style was popular for memorial buildings and clubhouses back then. The building was created by a group of veterans from the 5th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. They were given the land for free. Their main goals were to honor their fallen comrades and to have a regular place for their reunions.
The Fifth Maine Today
The building is still owned by the same organization of veterans. It now serves as a museum where you can learn about local history and the Civil War. It also works as a space for different events, keeping its community spirit alive.
