Holmes-Crafts Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Holmes-Crafts Homestead
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old N. Jay Rd. on ME 4, North Jay, Maine |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000105 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 1973 |
The Holmes-Crafts Homestead is a very old and special house in Jay, Maine. It stands where Old Jay Hill Road meets Main Street (Maine State Route 4). This house was built a long time ago, in the early 1800s. It is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture.
A very important person named James Starr lived here. He was one of the first people to settle in the area. He was also a lawyer and a leader in the community. Today, the local historical society owns this historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
What Makes This House Special?
The Holmes-Crafts Homestead is a two-story house made of wood. It has a wide, flat roof and two chimneys at the back. A smaller part of the house, called an ell, sticks out from the back. This ell has a pointed roof.
Original Features and Design
The house still has many of its original parts on the outside. This includes the old wooden siding, called clapboards, and the windows. The main front door is designed in the Federal style. It has tall, narrow windows on the sides and a fancy carved panel above.
Inside the house, you can find wide pine floors that are still in great shape. Even the original door and window handles are still there. These details show how houses looked and were built many years ago.
Who Lived at the Homestead?
We know this house was standing by 1820. That year, it was bought by James Starr. He was a lawyer and a surveyor. A surveyor is someone who measures land. James Starr was one of the first white settlers to arrive in the Jay Hill area, back in 1802.
James Starr's Role in the Community
James Starr was a very busy and important person in Jay. He also ran a tavern, which was like an inn or a pub, nearby. He was the town's first postmaster, in charge of the mail. He also represented Jay in the state government. This means he was a kind of politician, helping to make laws for the state.
The Holmes Family Takes Over
In 1833, James Starr's son-in-law, Aruna Holmes, bought the property. Aruna Holmes was a cabinetmaker. This means he made furniture. He had a workshop that was connected to the house's ell. However, that workshop is no longer standing today.
The Jay Historical Society now owns the house. You can visit it by making an appointment. It helps people learn about the history of the area.
See Also
