Hiram Ramsdell House facts for kids
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Hiram Ramsdell 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 | High and Perham Sts., Farmington, Maine |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Architect | Ramsdell, Cyrus |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| Part of | Farmington Historic District (ID94001551) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000107 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 4, 1973 |
| Designated CP | January 20, 1995 |
The Hiram Ramsdell House, often called the Octagon House, is a unique historic home in Farmington, Maine. It stands at the corner of High and Perham streets. This special eight-sided house was built in 1858. It was designed by a builder named Cyrus Ramsdell. The house was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's an important building worth protecting.
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About the Octagon House Design
The Octagon House gets its unique shape from ideas by Orson Squire Fowler. He was a writer who believed that round or eight-sided homes were better. Fowler thought these shapes allowed for better air flow. He also felt they encouraged people to socialize more easily.
Inside the Hiram Ramsdell House
This special house has a cool eight-sided glass dome on its roof. This dome, called a cupola, sits right above the main staircase. On the first floor, there are five rooms arranged around the center of the house. Upstairs, on the second floor, you will find seven bedrooms.
History of the Octagon House
The Octagon House has a long and interesting past. It has been home to several families and even served different purposes over the years.
Early Owners of the House
Cyrus Ramsdell, the builder, lived in the house for about 10 years. Later, he sold it to his brother, Hiram Ramsdell. Hiram lived in the house until he passed away in 1903. In the 20th century, the house was divided into apartments. Over time, it started to show signs of wear and tear.
The Mallett Family and the House
In 1912, Wilbert G. Mallett bought the house. He was the principal of the Farmington Normal School. Today, that school is known as the University of Maine at Farmington. The Mallett family owned the house for many years.
Saving the Historic House
On February 26, 2012, the owner, Deborah Mallett Cressall, passed away. Her family offered the house to the Farmington Historical Society. They offered it at a much lower price than its true value. The Historical Society had until May 30, 2013, to buy the house.
They quickly started a special fundraising effort. Their goal was to raise $250,000. This money would help them buy the house. It would also pay for important repairs, like fixing the roof and drainage. The Farmington Historical Society successfully bought the house in May 2013. They now work to preserve this unique piece of history.
