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 |
Imagine stepping back in time! Woodlawn, also known as the Black House, is a huge historic estate in Ellsworth, Maine. It covers about 180 acres, which is like 136 football fields! This amazing place was once home to the Black family for three generations. Today, it's a museum where you can see many of their original belongings.
The grounds at Woodlawn are open all year, from morning until evening. You can explore over two miles of hiking trails, beautiful gardens, open fields, and peaceful forests. There's even a special croquet court! The main house, built between 1824 and 1827, was the home of John Black, an important agent for a large landowner. Woodlawn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, recognizing its importance.
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Exploring Woodlawn Estate
Woodlawn is more than just an old house; it's a place where history comes alive. The estate offers many ways to learn and have fun. It's managed by the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations. They keep it open for everyone to enjoy as a museum, a park, and a place for special events.
The Historic Black House
The main house at Woodlawn is a grand, three-story brick mansion. It was built between 1824 and 1827. The bricks for the house were shipped all the way from Philadelphia. Skilled builders from Boston worked for three years to create this beautiful home.
The front of the house has a wide porch with strong columns. Above the porch is a fancy railing. The roof also has a decorative railing around it. On the left side, there's a smaller, one-story part of the house that also has a railing around its roof.
Life in the Mansion
Behind the main house, there's an attached section called an "Ell." This part was used for cooking and other household chores. Later, it became home to the people who took care of the estate. Today, it holds offices for the staff.
Near the house, there's a small barn where sleighs were kept. A new barn has also been built. This new barn has a permanent exhibition for visitors to explore. The Black family's tomb is located at the southern end of the property.
Fun Activities at Woodlawn
Woodlawn is a great place to be active outdoors. You can walk or hike on three miles of trails through fields and forests. It's perfect for exploring nature!
The estate also has the only official-sized croquet court in Maine. You can try playing this fun game there. In the winter, when it snows, Woodlawn is a popular spot for sledding and ice skating. There's also a community garden where people can grow plants.
Many community events are held at Woodlawn throughout the year. The new barn venue will be open all year. It can be rented for events and will also store historical records and host educational programs. A group called Downeast Senior College also uses Woodlawn for their classes.
History of the Black Family
The story of Woodlawn begins with a man named William Bingham. He was a businessman from Philadelphia. After the American Revolutionary War, he bought a very large area of land in Maine. In 1792, he sold half of this land to a company in England.
John Black's Role
The English company sent a young man named John Black to Maine. He was only eighteen years old at the time. John Black's job was to be the company's agent, managing their land. He worked closely with David Cobb, who was William Bingham's agent.
John Black later married Mary Cobb, David Cobb's daughter. John and Mary had eight children. When John was 44 years old, he decided to build the grand mansion that we now know as the Black House.
Woodlawn Becomes a Museum
The Black family lived in the house for many years. In 1928, George Nixon Black Jr., a descendant of John Black, left the estate to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations in his will. He wanted the property, along with most of its contents, to be preserved. This is how Woodlawn became a museum and a public park for everyone to enjoy today.
