Old Gray House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Gray House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 60 Tavenner Rd., Boothbay, Maine |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1753 |
| Built by | Charles F. Way |
| Architectural style | Federal, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000408 |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 2007 |
The Old Gray House, also known as the Hodgden-Merrow House, is a historic home in Boothbay, Maine. You can find it at 60 Tavenner Road, on Sawyers Island. This special house is likely from the 1820s, but parts of it might be even older! People have been using this spot since the 1740s. Because of its long history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Exploring the Old Gray House
The Old Gray House sits on Sawyer Island, a big island on the west side of Boothbay. This island is located in the Sheepscot River. The house is a two-story building made of wood.
What the House Looks Like
The house has a special roof shape called a hip roof. It also has a chimney right in the middle. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard siding. The house sits on a strong foundation made of granite stone.
The front of the house faces south. It has five sections with windows and a door. The door is a little off-center. It has decorative columns, called pilasters, on each side. Above the door, there's a small window called a transom window and a fancy trim piece. An enclosed porch sticks out from the west side. A two-story section also extends from the back of the main house. Inside, the house is very well-kept. It still has its original plaster, wooden details, and fireplaces.
A Glimpse into the Past: The House's History
It's a bit tricky to know the exact year the Old Gray House was built. Experts think it was likely built in the early 1800s. However, the land itself has a much longer history!
The oldest record of this property is from 1746. By 1753, there was already a house on this spot. It was a busy place, serving as a tavern, an inn, and a store. A man named Joseph Patten ran these businesses.
In 1774, Benjamin Sawyer took over the island. He continued to run the businesses there. But in 1786, he lost the property. After that, the Hodgdon family owned most of the island for many years, until the early 1900s.
It's believed that the house was either built or made much larger in the 1820s. This is when it got its beautiful "Federal period" style. In 1918, the Merrow family bought the house. They worked with an architect named Charles Way to make some updates.
