Winslow Homer Studio facts for kids
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Winslow Homer Studio
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Winslow Homer Road, Scarborough, Maine |
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| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | John Calvin Stevens |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000092 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
The Winslow Homer Studio is a special old building in Scarborough, Maine. It was once the home and art studio of a very famous American artist named Winslow Homer. This historic place is found on Prouts Neck, right by the beautiful ocean.
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Winslow Homer's Amazing Studio
Winslow Homer was a well-known artist who lived from 1836 to 1910. He was famous for his paintings, especially those showing the sea and life in America. In 1884, he decided to make a special place where he could live and paint.
How the Studio Was Built
The studio wasn't built from scratch. It was actually an old carriage house that was changed and made bigger. A talented architect from Maine, John Calvin Stevens, designed these changes. He even moved the building about 100 feet to give Homer more privacy from his brother's nearby summer home.
The studio is about 44 feet by 53 feet and has two floors. One of the most interesting parts of the building is a wide balcony. Winslow Homer often used this balcony to paint, especially during the winter months. He lived and worked in this studio from 1884 until he passed away there in 1910.
Becoming a National Landmark
Because of its importance to art history and Winslow Homer's legacy, the studio was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. This means it's a place that is very important to the history of the United States.
Bringing the Studio Back to Life
On January 31, 2006, the Portland Museum of Art bought the studio and the land around it. They closed it to the public for a while to do a lot of restoration work. The goal was to make the studio look just like it did when Winslow Homer lived there in 1910.
This meant undoing some changes that Homer's family had made in 1938 and 1939. The museum also added some modern things to make it work as a museum. These additions included plumbing, a restroom for visitors, electricity, and security systems. They even added hidden steel supports to the balcony to make it safe.
The studio officially opened to the public in 2012. Today, you can visit it, but only as part of a guided tour. It's a great way to see where a famous artist found his inspiration!
See also
