Portsmouth Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Portsmouth Company Cotton Mills: Counting House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 4 at Salmon Falls River, South Berwick, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000208 |
| Added to NRHP | October 10, 1975 |
The Portsmouth Company was a business that made cotton fabric. It started in 1832 in South Berwick, Maine, USA. This company was one of many cotton mills in the area. For many years, the Hale family from Portsmouth, New Hampshire managed the company.
The company's old office building, called the Counting House, is now a museum. The Old Berwick Historical Society runs this museum.
Contents
The Portsmouth Company: A Cotton Mill Story
The Portsmouth Company was officially started in 1831. It ran a very large factory in South Berwick, Maine. This factory made cotton products. A "cotton mill" is a factory where raw cotton is spun into thread and then woven into cloth.
The Counting House Museum: A Glimpse into History
The Counting House is a special old building in South Berwick. It is located at Main and Liberty Streets. This building is the only part of the original Portsmouth Company that is still standing today.
People used to think it was built in 1832. However, experts who study old buildings believe it was built later, around 1850. In 1975, the Counting House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites in the United States.
Today, the Old Berwick Historical Society uses the building. They run it as the Counting House Museum. It helps people learn about the area's past.
What Does the Counting House Look Like?
The Portsmouth Company Counting House is a brick building with 2½ stories. It sits on the eastern bank of the Salmon Falls River. The building has a strong foundation made of granite. Its roof is steeply angled and shaped like a triangle.
The triangular ends of the roof have a special design. They have a sunken panel with a three-part window. The corners of the building have brick pilasters. These are like flat columns built into the wall. A brick design goes around the building below the roof.
The front of the building faces south and has five sections. Each section is marked by brick pilasters. The main door is in the middle. Inside, the first floor has three rooms. The second floor is one large open space. The inside of the building still has its original Greek Revival style woodwork. This style was popular in the 1800s.
See also
