Major Reuben Colburn House facts for kids
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Colburn House State Historic Site
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Colburn House
Location in Maine
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| Location | 33 Arnold Road, Pittston, Maine |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1765 |
| Architect | Reuben Colburn |
| Architectural style | Federal, Georgian |
| Part of | Arnold Trail to Quebec (ID69000018) |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000741 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 28, 2004 |
| Designated CP | October 1, 1969 |
The Major Reuben Colburn House is a special old home in Pittston, Maine. Today, it's a historic house museum where you can learn about the past. This house was built way back in 1765. It was the home of Reuben Colburn, who was a patriot and built ships. He lived there from 1765 to 1818.
This house is famous for being a key spot for Benedict Arnold's important trip to Quebec in 1775. It is now called the Colburn House State Historic Site and is run by the state of Maine. In 2004, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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Exploring the Colburn House
The Colburn House sits on a small hill. From here, you can see the Kennebec River flowing to the west. The house is located on Arnold Road, which used to be part of Maine State Route 27.
The house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a sloped roof and a brick chimney in the middle. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The front of the house has five windows, which are spaced a little unevenly. The front door is quite fancy. It has narrow windows on both sides and decorative columns that hold up a detailed frame above the door.
History of the Colburn House
Reuben Colburn's Early Life in Maine
Reuben Colburn and his family moved to Gardinerston in 1761. This area was part of Massachusetts back then. In 1763, he received about 250 acres of land. He was a very busy person. He built a saw mill, a brick yard, a boat yard, and a grist mill right by the Kennebec River.
In 1765, Reuben Colburn built his two-story home. It was placed on a "rise which gradually slopes down to the shore." People later called Colburn "one of our earliest 'kings of industry.'" This means he was a very important businessman in the early days of the area.
The House and Benedict Arnold's Expedition
The Colburn House played a big role in American history. Reuben Colburn helped George Washington and Benedict Arnold plan a military trip. This trip, known as Arnold's 1775 Quebec expedition, went through the wild northern parts of Maine to Quebec City.
The Colburn House was one of the last places where Arnold's soldiers could get supplies and support. It was a final stop before they headed into the wilderness.
Becoming a State Historic Site
The Colburn family owned the house until 1953. After that, some private owners worked to restore it. The state of Maine bought the house in 1971. Since then, it has been open to the public as a historic site. It helps people learn about early American life and the important events that happened there.
