Weston Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Weston Homestead
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Madison, Maine |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1817 |
| Architect | Spaulding, Ephraim |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000086 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1977 |
The Weston Homestead is an old and important house located on Weston Road in Madison, Maine. It was built a long time ago, in 1817. This house is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture. Many families from the Weston family have lived here. They were also very involved in helping their community. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This means it's a special place worth protecting.
Contents
Exploring the Weston Homestead's Design
The Weston Homestead sits on the east side of the Kennebec River. It is located on a quiet piece of land at the end of Weston Road. This is just north of the main part of Madison town.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house is quite large. It has two and a half stories and is made of wood. The roof is made of tin and has a pointed shape, called a gable roof. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards, known as clapboard siding. The house rests on a strong foundation made of granite stone.
Main Entrance and Special Features
The front of the house faces west, looking towards the river. It has a balanced look with five sections, called bays. The middle section holds the main front door. This door has special decorations. It is framed by two columns called Doric pilasters. Above the door, there is a beautiful fanlight window. There is also a decorative piece called a lintel with small block-like shapes, known as dentil moulding.
Connecting to the Past
A long, two-story section extends from the back of the house. This part connects the main house to an old carriage barn. Inside the house, very little has changed over the years. You can still see wallpaper from the 1830s in the main living room. The front hall even has wallpaper from when the house was first built in 1817!
The Weston Family's Impact on Madison
The Weston Homestead was built by Benjamin Weston. His father first settled in this area way back in 1771. Benjamin's mother was the first woman known to settle in Somerset County. Benjamin Weston also ran a ferry service across the river.
Nathan Weston's Community Contributions
Benjamin's son, Nathan Weston, became a very important person in Madison. He was involved in both local government and business. Nathan helped make sure the first railroad bridge in Madison was built. He also helped pay for the construction of the town's first church. This shows how much the Weston family cared about their community.
A Family Legacy Preserved
As of 1977, when the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Weston Homestead was still owned by descendants of the original Weston family. This means the house has been kept in the same family for many generations.
