J. G. Deering House facts for kids
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J. G. Deering House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Deering House in 2013
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 371 Main Street, Saco, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | Saco Historic District (ID98000594) |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000793 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1982 |
| Designated | February 17, 1982 |
| Designated CP | June 12, 1998 |
The J. G. Deering House, also known as the Dyer Library/Saco Museum, is a historic house located at 371 Main Street in Saco, Maine. This impressive building was finished in 1870. It is a wonderful local example of the Italianate style of architecture. The house was built for Joseph Godfrey Deering. Later, his family gave it to the city to be used as a library. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
About the Deering House Design
The Deering House is on the south side of United States Route 1, just a short distance north of Saco's main downtown area. It is a large, two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It has special details made from limestone and wood.
The roof has a gentle slope on the sides and a decorative edge with small tooth-like blocks and brackets. A front-facing gable, which is a triangular part of the wall, sits above the main entrance. The front of the house has three sections. The entrance is covered by a wide, flat-roof porch supported by square columns.
Above the entrance, you can see two round-arch windows side-by-side. A half-round window is placed in the gable above them. On either side of the entrance, there are three-sided sections with single windows. A two-story section extends from the back of the house. This part connects to a single-story section that links the house to an old carriage house. Next to the house, there is also a brick building that used to be the York Institute.
A Look at Its History
This house was built between 1869 and 1870 for Joseph Godfrey Deering. He started his career as a grocer. However, he soon became very successful in the lumber business. He created one of the biggest lumber companies in Maine.
It is believed that this house was the very first in York County, Maine to have running water and indoor toilets! That was a big deal back then.
After Joseph Deering passed away, his family made some changes and additions to the property. They hired famous architects John Calvin Stevens and Joseph Stickney to help with the designs. In 1955, Deering's family gave the house to the city. They wanted it to be used as a library.
The Dyer Library then built the section that connects the house to the carriage house. In 1976, the library joined with the nearby York Institute. Together, they formed the organization we know today as the Dyer Library/Saco Museum.
See also
