John and Maria Webb House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John and Maria Webb House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 121 Main St., Bridgton, Maine |
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| Built | 1842 |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000834 |
| Added to NRHP | October 16, 2013 |
The John and Maria Webb House is a very old and special home located at 121 Main Street in Bridgton, Maine. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1800s.
What makes this house unique is that it's one of the few old homes on Bridgton's main street that is still a house. Many other buildings on Main Street were changed into shops or businesses over the years. Because of its history and how well it has been kept, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
About the Webb House
The Webb House is right in the middle of Bridgton's busy Main Street. You can find it on the south side of the street, between the Bridgton Public Library and Stevens Creek.
What the House Looks Like
This house has two and a half stories and is made of wood. It has a pointed roof and wooden boards on the outside, called clapboard siding. The bottom part of the house, its foundation, is made of strong granite.
The house shows off two old styles of building:
- Federalist style: This was popular in the early 1800s. It often means simple, balanced designs.
- Greek Revival style: This style came a bit later and was inspired by ancient Greek buildings. It often includes tall columns or decorative frames around doors.
The Webb House has thin trim around its corners and windows. Its front door is set back a bit, with windows on the sides. This entrance also has decorative columns and a fancy top part, which are typical of these older styles.
Inside the House
Inside, the house has a "center chimney plan." This means the main chimney is in the middle of the house, with rooms built around it. You can see a mix of original Federalist and Greek Revival decorations inside. A smaller, one-story part of the house, called an "ell," sticks out from the back.
History of the House
The oldest part of the Webb House is likely the ell at the back. We don't know exactly when it was built. However, it was probably already there when John Webb bought the property in 1840.
Most of the house you see today was built in 1841 and 1842. It's one of only a few buildings in Bridgton that still show the Federalist style.
Long ago, Main Street was a mix of homes, shops, and factories. There were tanneries and mills near Stevens Brook. Today, Main Street is mostly filled with shops and businesses. The John and Maria Webb House stands out as a reminder of how the street used to be.
