The Oldest House in Maine Still Stands Strong After 316 Years

Determining the oldest house in Maine can be somewhat controversial. Does one count the time when construction began on the house or the date of completion? Luckily, through the use of dendrochronology (the science of dating events through the growth patterns of tree rings) and architectural surveys, there is a more definitive way to discover the age of a house. Through these methods, the McIntire Garrison House has been dated as the oldest house in Maine.

When the Oldest House in Maine Was Built

The McIntire Garrison House was built circa 1707. That makes it 316 years old! Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1968, settlers constructed this garrison log house to defend against Native American raids. The builders used dovetail joints at the corners, which helped keep the heavy log walls together. Dovetail joints were a popular type of joinery technique because of their tensile strength. The intentional construction and joinery of the garrison are part of the reason the McIntire Garrison House has survived 316 years.

Where Is It Located?

The oldest house in Maine is located in York, on Cider Hill Road. It is right down the road from the Highland Farm Preserve, which is a 151-acre area purchased as part of the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative. The McIntire Garrison House also neighbors the Scotland Fields, which is a beautiful wedding and outdoor event venue.

History of the Oldest House in Maine

The McIntire Garrison House was probably built by one of Micum McIntire’s sons: John, Daniel, or Micum Jr.). McIntire was a Scottish Highlander, but Oliver Cromwell had him and other Highlanders deported to America after the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. The prisoners were shipped to Charlestown, where their indentures were sold. It isn’t until 1670 that McIntire’s servitude ends, and he buys 42 acres in York, Maine (which was part of Massachusetts at the time).

Originally, it was believed that the McIntire Garrison House was built in 1645. However, after an architectural analysis was conducted in the 20^th century, it was found that some of the building methods weren’t around until the early 18^th century. Thus, the house was more accurately dated to 1707.

Features of the McIntire Garrison House

The garrison is two stories high with a gable roof. Its updated look includes covering the log structure with clapboard siding along with a new roof and replaced chimney. These cosmetic changes, however, did not change the overall structure of the house. Many of the original wooden floors and paneling are still intact. For more details, check out the National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the McIntire Garrison House.

Other Oldest Houses in Maine

While the McIntire Garrison House is the oldest verified house in Maine, there are a couple of other houses that are traditionally thought to have been built earlier.

William Whipple House

There are other buildings in Maine that are said to be older than the McIntire Garrison House but have not been verified. One of them is the William Whipple House, and some say a portion of the house dates back to circa 1660. It is located at 88 Whipple Road in Kittery, Maine. This house was the birthplace of William Whipple, who was a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. However, the age of the house has not been verified by dendrochronology.

William Pepperrell House

As another contender for the oldest house in Maine, it is estimated that the William Pepperrell House was constructed in 1682. But again, this is traditionally thought to be the date of construction but has not been verified. This house sits at 94 Pepperrell Road, also in Kittery Point, Maine. By 1695, Pepperrell owned most of Kittery Point and was one of the wealthiest men in New England. His son, also named William, spent his whole life in the William Pepperrell House.

In Conclusion

Maine has a claim to many historic structures throughout the state. In fact, the McIntire Garrison House had been around 113 years by the time Maine became a state in 1820. It’s incredible how many old structures survived centuries of various wars and extreme weather. Thankfully, these buildings have been preserved and/or historically restored so that residents may continue to experience them.