Redington Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Redington House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 62 Silver St., Waterville, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1814 |
| Built by | Redington, Asa |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000180 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1978 |
The Redington Museum is a special historic house and museum in Waterville, Maine. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site. This museum is also the main office for the Waterville Historical Society.
The house was built way back in 1814. It is one of the oldest and best-kept houses from that time in the city. Since 1924, it has been used as a museum. It also serves as the main meeting place for the Waterville Historical Society. The Redington Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. You can even find it listed on the official website for Maine tourism!
Contents
Visiting the Museum
The Redington Museum is open for visitors during the summer months. You can visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
Tour Times and Cost
Tours usually start at specific times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Sometimes, the museum staff might let people in at other times too. It's a good idea to plan your visit around these tour times.
There is a small fee to enter for adults. It costs $5 for visitors who are 18 years old or older. The great news is that kids and teens who are 17 years old or younger can visit for free! They just need to be with an adult.
Where to Find It
The museum is located at 62 Silver Street in Waterville. It's about two blocks south of the main downtown area. You'll find it about one block south of the local funeral home.
What You Can See Inside
The Redington Museum gives you a cool look at life in New England. It shows what life was like in Waterville, Maine, over the last 200 years.
Collections and Displays
Inside, you'll find many interesting collections. There is old furniture and accessories from the past. You can also see everyday household items, old toys, and tools. There are even some historical papers and diaries to explore. The main museum building itself is designed in a style called Federal architecture. The Waterville Historical Society takes care of the museum and all its exhibits.
The museum is set up like a historic home. It has furniture from the time period it represents. There are also displays about the Waterville area's history. You can even see a copy of an old pharmacy building nearby. The people who manage the museum actually live there!
A Glimpse into the Past
The museum is a two-story house with white shingles. It was built in 1814. The exhibits include old furniture and interesting objects from the 1800s. The museum first opened its doors to the public in 1927. It is an important part of the National Register of Historic Places.
The Waterville Historical Society keeps its collection of books and old writings at the museum. They also have a collection of rare old maps of the area. These maps are available for people who want to do research.
History of the Redington House
The Redington House is located on the southeast side of Silver Street in central Waterville. It's a large, two-and-a-half-story wooden house. It has a pointed roof and two brick chimneys inside. The outside is covered with clapboard siding, and it sits on a strong granite foundation.
Asa Redington's Story
This historic home was built in 1814 by an important early settler of Waterville, Asa Redington. Asa was a brave soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War three times. He was even part of George Washington's special Honor Guard!
After the war, Asa Redington helped develop the area. He used the power of the water at Ticonic Falls. With his sons, Samuel and William, he started a successful flour mill on the banks of the Kennebec River. Asa had six sons and three daughters. He built this big, strong home for his son William.
Inside the Historic Home
The house was made with huge, hand-cut wooden beams. These beams were all put together using wooden pegs, not nails! You can still see the original spiral staircase inside. There are also fireplaces with beautiful old woodwork. The floors are made of wide "pumpkin pine" wood.
Look closely at the newel post (the main post at the bottom of the staircase). It has something called a "contractor's peace stone." This small, smooth stone was a sign in Colonial times. It meant that the building project was finished, and both the owner and the builder were happy with the work.
Today, five rooms in the museum are filled with old furniture and items. These antiques are from the late 1700s and early 1800s. They belonged to the Redington family, the family of a pioneer lawyer named Timothy Boutelle, and other early local families.
The house stayed in the Redington family until 1924. That's when Mrs. William Redington gave it to the Waterville Historical Society. The society now uses it as their main office and a wonderful museum for everyone to enjoy.
See also
