Stephen Coffin House facts for kids
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Stephen Coffin House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 170 Main St., Damariscotta, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1803 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Main Street Historic District (2001 increase) (ID00001636) |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003519 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1987 |
| Designated CP | January 22, 2001 |
The Stephen Coffin House is a special old building located at 170 Main Street in Damariscotta, Maine. It was built a long time ago, around the early 1800s. This house is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture. It's also unique because it has an "ell," which is a side wing that was once an early shop. For many years, this house was home to the Skidompha Public Library. Today, it is used for businesses. The Stephen Coffin House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, which means it's an important historical site.
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What Does the Stephen Coffin House Look Like?
The Stephen Coffin House is on the north side of Main Street in downtown Damariscotta. It sits between the Lincoln Theater and the modern Skidompha Public Library building. It's a two-story building made of wood. It has a sloped roof and is covered with clapboard siding.
Front of the House: Details and Design
The front of the house has five sections, called bays. The main door is in the middle. It's set back a bit and framed by two columns, called pilasters. Above the door is a decorative piece called a corniced entablature. The corners of the building also have these pilasters. Granite steps lead up to the entrance. A small wooden fence stands next to the sidewalk.
Wings and Inside Features
There is an old two-story wing, or "ell," that extends from the back on the western side. A newer wing was added to the eastern back corner. Inside the house, you can still see many of its original features. Some changes have been made over time, but they were done carefully to match the original style.
History of the Stephen Coffin House
The exact year the Stephen Coffin House was built is a bit of a mystery. This is because Stephen Coffin bought and sold land many times between 1803 and 1807. However, we know for sure it was standing by 1807. It might have been built as early as 1803, which is the year people usually say it was built.
Stephen Coffin: A Local Merchant
Stephen Coffin was a local merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. He likely ran his business from the basement of this house. The western wing was probably built by Coffin when his business grew too big for just the basement.
From Library to Businesses: How the House Changed
In 1922, the Skidompha Library Association and the Damariscotta Women's Club bought the house. The library used the ground floor, and the Women's Club used the second floor. In the 1980s, the eastern wing was added to the building. The library moved to its new building next door in 2001. Today, the Stephen Coffin House is used for different businesses.
