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, often called the Black House, is a historic estate on 180 acres (73 ha) of land in Ellsworth, Maine. It is located just a quarter mile from the downtown area. The main house is now a museum that shows what life was like for the family who lived there.
The estate was home to three generations of the Black family. Today, the museum is open during certain seasons, but the beautiful grounds are open for everyone to enjoy all year long. You can explore hiking trails, gardens, and even a special court for the game of croquet. The Black House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 because of its importance to American history.
Contents
A Family Home Becomes a Museum
The story of Woodlawn starts with a man named John Black. He was sent to Maine to manage a huge amount of land for a wealthy businessman from Philadelphia named William Bingham. This was shortly after the American Revolutionary War.
Who Built the Black House?
John Black was only 18 years old when he arrived in Maine. He worked with another land manager, David Cobb, and later married his daughter, Mary. John and Mary had eight children together.
When John was 44, he decided to build a grand home for his growing family. He built the three-story brick mansion between 1824 and 1827. The bricks were brought all the way from Philadelphia, and skilled workers from Boston spent three years building it. The house was designed in the popular Federal and Greek Revival styles of the time.
What Does the Estate Look Like?
The front of the mansion has a large porch with special columns called Doric columns. A decorative railing, called a balustrade, runs along the top of the porch and around the edge of the roof.
Behind the main house, there is a connected building that was once used for cooking and housework. Later, the people who took care of the property lived there. Now, it holds offices for the museum staff. The estate also has a small barn for sleighs and a newly built carriage barn with an exhibit inside.
The family's tomb can be found near the southern part of the property. In 1928, the last family member, George Nixon Black Jr., left the entire estate and most of its contents to a group called the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations. This group now runs Woodlawn as a museum and park for everyone to enjoy.
Woodlawn Today
Today, Woodlawn is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The estate offers:
- Over two miles of trails for walking and hiking.
- The only regulation-size croquet court in Maine.
- A community garden.
- Fun winter activities like sledding and skating.
A new event space in the barn is open all year for community events and educational programs. It is also available to rent for special occasions.
