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Eastport, 1879 Panorama (detail); Our project house in the center - on the corner of Water and Shackford Streets with a horse and wagon in front.

Water Street (Part 2)

July 12, 2013

Our first clue to the home's earlier residents came from a map of Eastport Village published in 1881 that included the footprint of every building along with the owner's name. Printed next to the cape on the corner of Water and Shackford Streets was M.D. Bibber.

Eastport sardine fishing fleet in the harbor.

Water Street (Part 1)

July 9, 2013

We were recently called in to do a bathroom renovation in an historic, Federal style, Eastport cape on Water Street. Its proud new stewards were relocating to the area; part of a fresh influx of creative entrepreneurs that are breathing new life into the city.

The period bath in the Haas-Lilienthal House with its centerpiece - the earthenware tub. Photo by Jody Stuart

The Case of the Dubious Earthenware Tub

May 19, 2013

I recently received a lovely compliment when one of our clients, a Calais, Maine native son and local town historian, exclaimed, "you're the Sherlock Holmes of restoration!" While it’s true I once lived on Baker Street, not in London but the “City by the Bay” - I’m not sure that that illustrious title quite fits.

Perry, Maine descendants of Edward & Rebecca Bugby, c.1885.

Incident at Ipswich (part 2)

April 28, 2013

William Laud acted promptly. The records of the Privy Council show that a warrant for tying up the two Ipswich vessels was issued within the week.

Incident at Ipswich (part 1)

April 20, 2013

In the course of research into our property’s history, we came across some intriguing material related to a direct ancestor of our farm’s 1824 founder, Edward Bugbee. With further research we cobbled together one family's true story.

Interior of Chase Barker & Company with P.M. Pirington (the Mayor) seated in middle.

A Maine Italianate

March 18, 2013

A careful restoration will be invaluably aided if you let the building be your guide. Paying attention to those sometimes subtle tells - allows the structure to voice its opinion - lets an old building speak its mind. Sometimes that conversation can take you beyond the nut and bolts to real events and history.

Dr. Holmes Cottage Museum (part 2)

June 9, 2012

As the story goes, Captain James Holmes, fresh from the battlefields of the Revolutionary War, walked 175 miles with everything he owned in a knapsack on his back, from his birth town of Plymouth, Mass, to "Bog Brook Plantation," later known as Hebron, a promising new settlement in western Maine.