Hunnewell House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hunnewell House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Scarborough, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1702 |
| Built by | Hunnewell, Richard |
| Architectural style | Cape Cod |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000093 |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1976 |
The Hunnewell House is a very old building in Maine, one of the oldest still standing in the entire United States. It's located in Scarborough, Maine, on Old County Road. This simple, single-story house was likely built around 1702 or 1703 by Richard Hunnewell. He was one of the first people to settle in Scarborough back in 1684.
Some people think the house might even be older, possibly built in 1673. The Hunnewell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. Today, the town of Scarborough owns and takes care of it.
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Discovering the Hunnewell House
The Hunnewell House sits in the middle of Scarborough. It's in a wooded area shaped like a triangle, surrounded by Black Point Road, Old County Road, and Winnocks Neck Road. It's a 1-1/2 story house built in the Cape Cod style. This means it's a classic New England home with a simple, rectangular shape.
The house is made of wood with flat boards called clapboards on the outside. It has a strong stone foundation. The windows you see today were added in the 1800s. Above the main door, there's a small window with four panes of glass, called a transom window.
Inside, the house has a common design for old homes. There's a small entrance area, or vestibule, with a winding staircase that goes up to the attic. On either side of this area are the main rooms. The inside of the house is very simple, with not much fancy decoration.
A Glimpse into Early Maine History
European settlers came to Maine in the 1600s. However, many of their early settlements were abandoned. This happened because of conflicts like King Philip's War (1675–1678) and King William's War (1688–1697). These were difficult times for the new communities.
Richard Hunnewell was a brave soldier who fought in King Philip's War. He was one of the people who signed the document to officially create Scarborough in 1684. Sadly, his wife and child were killed in a raid. He became a leader of the local group of citizen-soldiers, known as the militia.
The small community of Scarborough was left empty in 1690 because of ongoing conflicts. But settlers returned in 1702. It's believed that the Hunnewell House was built soon after this return. Richard Hunnewell himself was killed in a major raid on coastal communities in Maine in 1703. This happened early in a conflict known as Queen Anne's War.
Even after this tragedy, the community of Scarborough continued to grow. Richard Hunnewell's widow survived the raid and lived in the house until she passed away in 1732.
Saving a Piece of the Past
The Hunnewell House was not always in its current spot. It was originally located in a field off Old County Road. For many years, the house was left empty and uncared for.
In 1971, the local Rotary Club discovered its historical importance. They realized how special this old building was. The house was then given to the town of Scarborough. In 1973, it was carefully moved to its current location. Since then, a lot of work has been done to restore the house. This work helps to preserve it for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
Images for kids
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The Hunnewell House, a historic building in Maine.
