Woodlawn Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Black House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 19 Black House Drive, (ME 172), Ellsworth, Maine |
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| Area | 178 acres (72 ha) |
| Built | 1824-1827 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000026 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 1969 |
Woodlawn, also known as the Black House, is a historic estate in Ellsworth, Maine. It covers about 180 acres. You can find it a short distance from downtown Ellsworth. The Black House Museum is open during certain seasons. However, the beautiful grounds are open every day from morning until evening. This museum was once home to three generations of the Black family. It still holds many of their original belongings.
The family's leader, John Black, worked for a big landowner in the area. He built the main house between 1824 and 1827. Today, the estate offers over two miles of hiking trails. It also has a special croquet court, lovely gardens, open fields, and a forest. All these areas are open to the public all year. The Black House Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Contents
Discovering the Black House History
The Black House has a fascinating past. A businessman from Philadelphia named William Bingham bought a huge amount of land in Maine. This was shortly after the American Revolutionary War. In 1792, he sold half of this land to a company from England.
John Black's Journey to Maine
The English company sent John Black to Maine. He was only eighteen years old at the time. His job was to manage their land. John Black worked closely with David Cobb, who managed Bingham's land. John later married David Cobb's daughter, Mary.
Building a Grand Home
Mary and John Black had eight children. When John was 44, he decided to build a large brick mansion. This house shows off elegant Federal and Greek Revival styles. The bricks for the house were shipped all the way from Philadelphia. Builders from Boston worked for three years, from 1824 to 1827, to complete it.
What the House Looks Like
The front of the main house has a wide porch. This porch stretches across the entire front section. It is supported by strong Doric columns. A decorative railing, called a balustrade, sits on top of the porch. The roof of the house also has a balustrade with special panel sections. There is also a smaller, one-story part of the house on the left. Its roof also has a balustrade around it.
Exploring the Estate Buildings
Behind the main house, there is an attached section called an Ell. This area was once used for cooking and other housework. Later, it became home for the people who took care of the estate. Today, it holds offices for the staff.
New Additions and Old Structures
An event space was built behind these buildings. It stands where a carriage and horse barn used to be. There is also a small sleigh barn on the property. A new carriage barn was also built. This new barn has a permanent exhibition inside. The family's tomb is located near the southern end of the property.
Woodlawn's Legacy Today
The entire estate, along with most of its contents, was given to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations. This happened in 1928, as stated in the will of George Nixon Black Jr. The Trustees now manage the property. They run it as a museum, a public park, and a place for events.
Fun Things to Do at Woodlawn
Woodlawn offers many activities for visitors. You can enjoy three miles of trails for walking in fields and hiking in the forest. The estate also has the only official-sized croquet court in Maine.
Community and Learning at Woodlawn
There is a community garden where people can grow plants. In the winter, you can go sledding and ice skating. Many community events are held here throughout the year. The barn events venue is now open all year. It is available for rent for special occasions. It also serves as a place to store historical records and host educational programs. Downeast Senior College is based at Woodlawn. They operate from the former Caretaker's Cottage, which is near the start of the trails.
