Sproul Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sproul Homestead
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 129, South Bristol, Maine |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1749 |
| Built by | Robert Sproul |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000188 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1978 |
The Sproul Homestead is a very old and important house in Bristol, Maine. It's made up of two parts. One part was built around 1749 and looks like a classic "Cape" style house. The other part was added around 1815 in a style called "Federal." Members of the Sproul family, who were well-known in the area, built both sections. This special house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's officially recognized as a historic place worth protecting.
About the Sproul Homestead
The Sproul Homestead is located in South Bristol, Maine. You can find it on the west side of Route 129. The house is set back from the road. You reach it by driving down a pretty lane lined with trees.
What Does It Look Like?
The main part of the house has two stories. It has a sloped roof and is built from wood. It has chimneys made of brick inside. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The house sits on a strong foundation made of granite.
The front of the house has five window sections. The main door is in the middle. It has decorative columns on each side. Above the door, there is a window with four small panes of glass. The inside of this part of the house still has its original wooden details. It also has decorations from the Federal period.
Behind the main house, there is a smaller, older section. This part is one and a half stories tall. It is built in the "Cape" style. Inside this older section, there is a room that used to be a parlor. This room still has its original wooden features. It also has early decorative stenciling on the walls.
Who Lived Here?
The Sproul family has a long history in the Bristol area. James Sproul first arrived here in 1729. He came with Colonel David Dunbar. Dunbar wanted to start a colony called "Georgia" in Pemaquid. Even though the colony didn't work out, the Sproul family stayed.
James's son, Robert Sproul, built the older "Cape" style part of the house. He built it around 1749. Later, Robert's grandson, also named Robert, built the main part of the house. He built it in 1815. At first, his new house was across the street from his father's house.
After his father passed away in 1833, Robert moved his house. He moved it to a higher spot. Then, he attached his father's older house to it. The Sproul family is still one of the largest families living in the area today.
