Pownalborough Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pownalborough Courthouse
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The Courthouse in April 2023
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 23 Courthouse Road, Dresden, Maine |
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| Area | 56 acres (23 ha) |
| Built | 1761 |
| Architect | Flagg, Gersham |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000052 |
| Added to NRHP | January 12, 1970 |
The Pownalborough Courthouse is a really old building in Dresden, Maine. It was built way back in the 1760s. This courthouse was the very first one for Lincoln County. It's special because it's the only courthouse left in Maine from the time when America was still a group of colonies. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about history! The Lincoln County Historical Society takes care of it. It became a nationally recognized historic place in 1970.
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About the Pownalborough Courthouse
The Pownalborough Courthouse is in a quiet, country part of Dresden. It looks out over the Kennebec River. When it was built, this spot was home to Fort Shirley. This fort was one of the first British forts built inland along the river.
The courthouse is a large, three-story building. It's made of wood and has a sloped roof. The outside is covered with wooden boards. The front of the building has five sections, with the main door in the middle. A smaller, one-story part sticks out from one side. Inside, some parts have been changed over time. However, it still has its original wide wooden floors. This old building has never had modern electricity or plumbing!
How Lincoln County Was Formed
Lincoln County was created in 1760. Before that, it was part of York County, Massachusetts. Back then, Maine was not its own state; it was part of Massachusetts. The county was named after Governor Thomas Pownall. The town of Pownalborough was also named in his honor. This town included what are now Dresden, Alna, Jefferson, and Wiscasset.
Building the Courthouse
The people who owned the land, called the Kennebec Proprietors, decided to build a courthouse in 1760. They chose the grounds of Fort Shirley for its location. Fort Shirley was built in 1752 to protect against Native American attacks. But by 1760, it wasn't as important because Fort Western was built further up the river. The fort's buildings could be used for a jail and a place for the jail keeper.
Work on the courthouse started in 1761. The first court meeting happened in the unfinished building later that year. The courthouse wasn't fully finished until 1769. Besides being a court, the building was used for many other things. It was a tavern, an inn, a post office, and even a place for fencing and dancing. It also served as a church and a meeting house.
The third floor had living spaces. Major Samuel Goodwin, the fort commander, lived there. His family continued to live in those rooms until the 1930s. In 1954, the local historical society bought the 56-acre (23 ha) property from Major Goodwin's family.
Famous Visitors and Events
The Pownalborough Courthouse saw some important people and events.
John Adams's Visit
One famous visitor was John Adams, who later became the second President of the United States. He visited the courthouse as a young lawyer. He argued a property case there. John Adams wrote in his journals that he really disliked the trip to the courthouse. The roads were muddy and bumpy! He often complained about trees blocking his path.
Most people traveled to the court by the Kennebec River. It was considered an easier and safer way to go. John Adams was one of the few who came by road. Later, the Kennebec Proprietors offered him a job. He agreed, but only if he could work from the Falmouth (now Portland, ME) Courthouse instead. This job helped start his successful career as a lawyer.
Benedict Arnold's Stop
The courthouse was also visited by Benedict Arnold during his famous journey to Canada. When Arnold arrived, Major Samuel Goodwin, the caretaker, refused to give him maps of the area. Major Goodwin was loyal to the British King at the time. Arnold, however, was a patriot, fighting for American independence.
After an argument with his own son, who was a patriot, Major Goodwin traveled to Fort Western. There, he finally gave the maps to Arnold and his group. After the war, Major Goodwin even wrote to George Washington asking to be paid for the maps!
The Courthouse Today
Today, the Pownalborough Courthouse is a museum. It's open during certain times of the year, usually from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. You can pay a small fee to go inside and learn about local history.
The land around the courthouse also has a system of trails. There's even a trail and a public bathroom that are easy for everyone to use, including those with disabilities.
See also
