- Built in 1823, it is the oldest existing townhouse remaining in Androscoggin
County and the surrounding Kennebec County towns.
- It is the oldest public building which was used continually for 180 years.
- Maine
Preservation has placed it on the Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Properties
list.
| Sept 9, 1822 |
- town voted to build a town house and contracted
Seth Fish for $246. |
| Sept 8, 1823 |
- first meeting held in town house |
| 1830 – 1836 |
- Universalists held meetings there |
| 1851 |
- repairs changed the pitch of the roof and erected guideposts |
| 1858 |
- $300 approved for repairs |
| 1892 |
- “At the annual town meeting at Leeds last March two hundred
dollars was raised for repairs on the town house. The selectmen
let the job to Arthur Keen, and he has put on a new door and
windows, and clapboarded the walls, and put on one coat of
white paint” from the Lewiston Weekly Journal Aug. 18,
1892 |
| early 1900's |
- Used as local high school |
| 1930's |
- added small office and storeroom to the back |
| 1951-53 |
- again used as a temporary schoolhouse |
| 1970's |
- more renovations |
| Aug 4, 2004 |
- Leeds Historical Society signed rental lease for its collection |
Since the building has been substantially altered from its original configuration,
it is dubious that it will ever be a candidate for the National Register. Rather
the aim is to bring the building back to an approximately 1850’s look while still
retaining modern comforts such as bathroom, electrical lighting, and insulation.
We will call for bids on the reshingling of the roof with these specifications:
- Entire roof including porch roof
- Removal of existing layers of shingles and replacing any necessary roofing
boards
- Shingles should be of a 25-year or more 3 tab shingle with quality similar
to what the Town Office used
- Removal of interior paneling
- Replacing or augmenting insulation behind the replacement of the once
surrounding wainscoting plus sheetrock above
- Need wiring for wall sconces
- Removal of suspended ceiling panels
- Put up sheetrock on existing upper strapping
- Removal of the fill against the front of the building
- Inspection of the sill
- Plan for disabled access
- Put in place but not installed for use
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