National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, Maine facts for kids

Location of Lincoln County in Maine

This article is about the amazing historic places in Lincoln County, Maine, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This special list includes buildings, areas, and objects that are important to history. They are recognized by the United States government because they tell us a lot about the past.

Lincoln County, Maine, has 104 places on this list. Three of these are extra special and are called National Historic Landmarks. They are super important to the history of the entire country! Let's explore some of these cool spots.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?
National Historic Landmarks in Lincoln County
Other Cool Historic Places
Images for kids
See also

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a big scrapbook of America's past. It lists places that are important for their history, architecture, or what they mean to a community. When a place is on this list, it helps protect it and makes people more aware of its value. It's a way to save our history for future generations.

National Historic Landmarks in Lincoln County

Lincoln County is home to three very important places that are recognized as National Historic Landmarks. These are truly special!

Nickels-Sortwell House

The beautiful Nickels-Sortwell House.

The Nickels-Sortwell House is located in Wiscasset, Maine. It's a stunning old house that was built in 1807. It shows off a fancy style of architecture from that time. The house was first built for a wealthy ship captain named William Nickels. Later, it was bought by the Sortwell family, who helped keep it looking great. Today, you can visit this house and imagine what life was like over 200 years ago!

Pemaquid Archeological Site

An old chamber pot found at the Pemaquid Archeological Site.

The Pemaquid Archeological Site is near Pemaquid Beach. This area is like a giant puzzle of history buried underground. People have found many old things here, showing that people lived and worked in this spot for a very long time. It's a place where archaeologists dig to learn about early settlements and how people lived centuries ago. It's a window into the very first days of European settlement in Maine.

Perkins Homestead

The historic Perkins Homestead.

The Perkins Homestead is in Newcastle, Maine. This home is famous because it was where Frances Perkins grew up. She was an amazing woman who became the very first female member of the United States Cabinet. She worked for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and helped create important programs like Social Security. Her childhood home is a reminder of her incredible journey and contributions to American society. It's also known as the "Brick House Historic District" because of its older history.

Other Cool Historic Places

Besides the National Historic Landmarks, Lincoln County has many other interesting places on the National Register.

Historic Churches and Meetinghouses

Lincoln County has several beautiful old churches and meetinghouses. These buildings were often the center of community life long ago.

Alna Meetinghouse: This old meetinghouse in Alna, Maine was built in 1789. It's a simple but important building that shows how people gathered for meetings and worship in early America.
Congregational Church of Edgecomb: Located in North Edgecomb, this church has been a part of the community since 1801. It's a great example of early American church architecture.
German Church and Cemetery: In Waldoboro, Maine, this church was built by German immigrants who settled in the area. It tells the story of how different groups of people came to Maine and built new lives.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church: Found in Newcastle, Maine, this church was built in 1808. It's one of the oldest Catholic churches in New England and has a unique history.

Lighthouses and Coastal History

Maine is famous for its coastlines and lighthouses. Lincoln County has some important ones that helped guide ships safely.

Burnt Island Light Station: This lighthouse is on Burnt Island, near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It was first lit in 1821 and is still active today. Lighthouses like this were vital for sailors navigating the tricky Maine coast.
Cuckolds Light Station: Located on a small group of rocks called The Cuckolds, near Southport, Maine, this unique lighthouse was built in 1907. It looks like a small castle on the water!
Hendricks Head Light Station: This lighthouse is on Southport Island, near West Southport. It was built in 1829 and has a charming, classic lighthouse look.
Monhegan Island Lighthouse and Quarters: Perched on Monhegan Island, this lighthouse was built in 1824. Monhegan is a rugged island known for its fishing community and artists. The lighthouse is a symbol of the island's enduring spirit.
Pemaquid Point Light: This iconic lighthouse is at Pemaquid Point in Bristol, Maine. It's one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine and offers amazing views of the ocean. It was built in 1827.
Ram Island Light Station: Located on Ram Island in Boothbay Harbor, this lighthouse was built in 1883. It's a beautiful structure that stands tall against the waves.

Old Homes and Buildings

Many historic homes and other buildings in Lincoln County show us how people lived, worked, and learned in the past.

Chapman-Hall House: This house in Damariscotta, Maine was built in 1754. It's one of the oldest houses in the area and gives us a peek into colonial life.
Pownalborough Courthouse: Located in Dresden, Maine, this building was built in 1761. It's the oldest courthouse in Maine and was once a very important place for law and government in the region.
Wiscasset Jail and Museum: In Wiscasset, Maine, this old jail was built in 1811. It's now a museum where you can learn about what jail was like long ago.

Ancient Shell Mounds

Some of the most unique historic places in Lincoln County are ancient shell mounds. These are huge piles of oyster shells left behind by Native Americans who lived here thousands of years ago.

Damariscotta Oyster Shell Heaps: These massive shell mounds are found along the Damariscotta River in Damariscotta, Maine. The most famous one is the Whaleback Shell Midden. These mounds show us how Native Americans harvested oysters for food for centuries. They are like giant archaeological clues about ancient diets and lifestyles.