Murch Family House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Murch Family House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southeast side of Calderwood Neck, Vinalhaven, Maine |
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| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| Built by | William Murch |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000205 |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 1993 |
The Murch Family House is a special old house located on Calderwood Neck in Vinalhaven, Maine. It was built in 1855. What makes it unique is that it's the only house on the island made entirely of granite. This is interesting because Vinalhaven is famous for its granite quarries! It's also one of the few stone houses officially recognized in the whole state of Maine. Because of its history and unique build, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
Contents
What Does the Murch House Look Like?
The Murch House is found on Vinalhaven Island, which is in Penobscot Bay off the coast of Maine. The island has many coves and inlets. One part of the island is called Calderwood Neck. The Murch House sits on the southeast side of this neck. From there, you can see the water channel that separates it from Penobscot Island.
House Design and Materials
The house is a 1-1/2 story building, meaning it has one main floor and a smaller half-story above. It is built in the Cape style, which is a traditional New England house design. The entire house is made from large, carefully cut granite blocks. These blocks are called ashlar granite. The roof is sloped on two sides, known as a gabled roof.
Outside and Inside Features
The front of the house has three sections. There are two windows, one on each side of the main entrance. The front door is placed a little to the right. Inside, the ground floor has four rooms. A large chimney is located in the center of the house. Stairs leading up to the attic are found along the north wall, near the main entrance.
The Barn on the Property
There is also an old barn on the property from the 1800s. It is a long, rectangular building made of wood. The barn has a special roof shape called a saltbox profile, which means one side of the roof is longer than the other. It sits on a slope, so its granite block foundation is fully visible at the back.
The Story of the Murch Family House
This house was built around 1855. It is the only known granite home on Vinalhaven Island. This is quite special because the island was very famous for its granite quarries in the 1800s. When the house was built, the granite quarries were just starting to become very active.
Who Built the House?
The Murch Family House was built by William Murch. He was a local mason, which is someone skilled in working with stone. He used granite stones that were dug up from a nearby rock area.
The Murch Family's Life
The house was owned by members of the Murch family for many years. The Murch family members were often fishermen. They also did a bit of farming to grow their own food, which is called subsistence-level farming. This house stands as a reminder of their lives and the island's granite history.
