Sedgwick Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sedgwick Historic District
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| Location | Jct. of ME 172 and Old County Rd., Sedgwick, Maine |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Built | 1793 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001550 |
| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1995 |
The Sedgwick Historic District is a special area in the small town of Sedgwick, Maine. It's like a time capsule showing what the town's center used to be like. You can find it where Maine State Route 172 meets Old County Road.
This historic district includes several very old buildings and places. There's a meeting house from 1793, which is still used as the town hall today. You can also see the Daniel Merrill House, built around 1795 for the town's first minister. The district also has an old stone animal pound from 1821 and the town's very first cemetery. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Contents
What Makes Sedgwick Historic?
Sedgwick was first settled by people in the 1760s. It officially became a town in 1789. In 1791, the town decided to collect money to build a meeting house and a home for a minister.
Important Old Buildings and Places
The Meeting House: Town Hall Then and Now
The meeting house was built in 1793. Back then, it was used for both religious services and town meetings. Later, in 1849, it was changed to be used only for town business. It still serves as the town hall today.
The Minister's Home: Daniel Merrill House
Across the main road (now Route 172) from the meeting house, the town built a house for their minister. The first minister to live there was Reverend Daniel Merrill. Today, the local historical society owns the Merrill House. It's now a museum that you can visit. An old schoolhouse was also moved and rebuilt on the property.
The Old Animal Pound
In 1798, part of the land given to Rev. Merrill was used to create the community's first burial ground. Later, in 1821, a stone animal pound was built. An animal pound was a place where stray animals were kept until their owners claimed them. Parts of its stone walls are still standing today.
Sedgwick's First Cemetery
The first burial ground for the community was started in 1798. It's a quiet place where many of Sedgwick's early residents were laid to rest.
How Sedgwick Grew Over Time
This group of buildings was once at the very center of Sedgwick. The town used to be much bigger. It included all of Brooklin and part of Brooksville. But before 1849, these two communities became separate towns. Over time, most of Sedgwick's business activities moved to villages closer to the coast. Even so, the meeting house still helps the town run, and the Merrill House shares the town's history.
