Conversions of historic homes in Bethel and Lewiston into residential developments, along with the preservation of a century-old former lifesaving station in Kittery, were recognized by Maine Preservation.
The Yarmouth-based nonprofit recognized nine rehabilitation projects — and one preservation advocate — at an awards ceremony in Portland. The event was held at Good Theater at Stevens Square Community Center (itself a 2023 award recipient).
“We recognize their dedication to our shared sense of place and efforts to revitalize neighborhoods, connect people and create new economic opportunities to better Maine’s future,” said Tara Kelly, executive director of Maine Preservation.
The awards go to grassroots efforts advocating for important places, creative activation of underused open spaces, long-haulers who steward historic buildings and legacy businesses that serve as cornerstones of Maine’s downtowns.
Residential conversions
In Bethel, Northern Forest Center last year wrapped up the $5.9 million redevelopment of Gehring House, a 19th century home, into nine units of rental apartments for middle-income, full-time residents.
A similar project was carried out in Lewiston by Hebert Construction, Avesta Housing and Lewiston Housing Authority, which carried out a year-long restoration to convert the 19th century Dr. Milton Wedgewood House as the centerpiece of an 82-unit, nine-building affordable housing complex.
Lifesaving station
After eight years of restoration, the Wood Island Life Saving Station in Kittery was coverted into a museum. Not far from the crowded beaches of York County, the century-old station was once part of the U.S. Life Saving Service — a forerunner to the U.S. Coast Guard — and later served as a seaboard observation post during World War II.
At one point, Kittery considered demolishing the structure. But in 2011, local volunteers formed a nonprofit, the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association, to raise money and in-kind support that enabled a top-to-bottom overhaul of the building. The work began in 2016 and included new infrastructure, a new pier and two new seawalls.
Skowhegan’s Spinning Mill
The circa 1922 Spinning Mill in downtown Skowhegan was redeveloped into a 20-bed boutique hotel that was opened a year ago by the Kasa hotel group. Called the Skowhegan by Kasa, the hotel is part of Bangor-based High Tide Capital’s overall redevelopment of the 80,000-square-foot mill, which had a long history as a textile mill and manufacturing site, built along the Kennebec River.
Plans call for 41 residential units, office space and a fitness center. A 5,000-square-foot rooftop deck overlooks the Kennebec River and dam.
Mansion, clock tower
Recent preservation projects at Portland’s Victoria Mansion involve restoring a large exterior window bay and preserving original decorative paintings on the walls and ceilings of the building’s three floors. The 1860 building became a museum in the 1940s and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
From the early 1970s through the early 2000s, the nonprofit that owns the museum addressed structural issues and sealed the weather envelope to protect the interiors.
Over the past 20 years, major interior restorations have been completed. In 2022, the museum began its most ambitious paint conservation project — a two-year effort to clean and restore a soaring central stair hall.
The century-old Biddeford City Hall Clock Tower was the subject of a nearly year-long restoration, its four dials each featuring new redwood hands covered in gold leaf.
Portland’s Boyd Block
Other honorees include the restoration of the Boyd Block, at 178 Middle St. in Portland’s Old Port. Portland real estate management, investment and development firm East Brown Cow and Kentucky hotel operator Commonwealth Hotels last year unveiled the expansion of East Brown Cow’s Docent’s Collection hospitality portfolio with the addition of 16 lofts at the Boyd Block. Dating back to 1867, the project included converting the upper stories into short- and long-stay units.
The awards program also recognized the Nightingale project in Portland, the Tiller Project in North Anson and Carla Haskell of Ellsworth.
An architect with LEED accreditation and over 30 years of experience, Haskell specializes in community-focused design.
