Where is kittery maine

In , the locally-built USS Thresher sank during sea trials more than miles off the New England coast, costing the lives of men including Shipyard civilian employees and military personnel. It remains the worst submarine disaster in history, but resulted in safety measures to prevent future tragedies. Today the Shipyard continues to overhaul and maintain nuclear submarines for the U.

For years the states of Maine and New Hampshire both claimed jurisdiction over the Navy facility, with the United States Supreme Court finally ruling in favor of Maine in Allan Kerr.

Photos part of Early Images. Between and submarines slid off the ways at Portsmouth. The Shipyard Historic District contains a remarkable extensive collection of 19th century industrial structures of unusually fine design.

There is also a distinguished row of officers quarters executed in brick in the Greek Revival tradition. The most striking building is Quarters A, residence of the senior naval officer. Built probably in , it was moved to its present location shortly after the island was acquired by the Navy Department in Whatever the delays, the final product was an architectural gem, a well conceived, ornamental and impressive structure in the Romanesque Revival style with Queen Anne influences.

It was designed by Boston architect Shepherd S. Woodcock whose only other known Maine commission was the Unitarian Church in Ellsworth, now gone. While other Romanesque libraries exist in Maine, all are one story with the exception of that at Skowhegan , also two stories, but a much less distinguished structure.

Of its type and style, the Rice Public Library is by far the most outstanding library building in Maine. Back in the day, Rice Public Library had one reading room for ladies and a separate room for gentlemen. The second floor served as a meeting place for Civil War veterans from the local Grand Army of the Republic chapter.

It also housed a substantial collection of stuffed birds. The Library was founded by Arabella Rice, youngest of four daughters born to Captain Robert Rice and wife Charlotte, and the only one to outlive her parents. Prior to this construction, the library was in a single room in what is now Wallingford Square.

They are also inscribed along the Italian marble fireplace on the first floor inside the library. Over time, the Rice building became too cramped for its growing collections. The old Southern York County District Courthouse, located diagonally just across the street, was purchased in and renovated into the Taylor Building annex.

The Taylor Building, named for local physician and former library trustee Paul Taylor, opened in October As one of only a few African American guest houses in the state, Rock Rest enjoyed considerable success and attracted vacationers from across the country. In the property had retained all of its period furnishings, as well as extensive documentary materials, including correspondence, guest registers, and photographs relating to the business between and The Rock Rest story provides the opportunity to holistically evaluate patterns of African American economy, travel and tourism in the post war years.

Henry Tuck, and traveled with her when she vacationed at her summer house in York. In the summer of Clayton and Hazel met, and married the following year. The couple returned to Maine the next summer, and Mrs. Sinclair took over as the cook for Mrs.

At the end of the summer they decided to remain in Maine. In they bought a small old house with a few acres in Kittery Point. The house was little more than a shack as a photograph taken before it was remodeled testifies. Over the next two years the couple worked to modernize the house, spending their first night in their new home on July 21, Clayton Sinclair worked for a construction company before obtaining a job at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, first as a laborer then as a chauffeur.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy, and Mrs. After the war Clayton returned to the shipyard, where he was employed until retirement in Upon leaving the shipyard in , Mrs.

Sinclair focused her attention on developing her culinary skills, and soon thereafter started a catering business. Both Sinclairs were well known and respected members of the community.

Sinclair was a member of the League of Women Voters. At some point prior to the end of the war the family started lodging visitors, albeit informally. With all the folks asking to stay at her home, and with her cooking skills, Hazel realized she had an opportunity. In they chose the name Rock Rest and began to operate their home as a summer guest house. Guests stayed in their home, but by the space was inadequate. So they expanded their guest facilities.

In , the first year for which guest registers exist, they welcomed twenty-one parties, most of whom stayed for a week. Improvements to the property continued. In the guest house was expanded and in that year 42 parties stayed at Rock Rest. Through the s the Sinclairs averaged approximately 50 parties between June and September.

Mitchell photos]. It is one of a very small group of houses in Maine that deviate from the more common Greek Revival forms by employing a colonnade on side or rear walls.

Robert W. Traip acquired the land from his father in Apparently he built the house shortly thereafter. He was a member of an old Kittery family whose surname was traditionally spelled Tripe.

In his will, Traip designated that after providing for his brother and two sisters, the balance of his estate was to be used for an endowment to establish an academy in Kittery. This bequest became available in , when a substantial brick building subsequently constructed. The house itself descended to his widow and then to her son and granddaughter. It appears to have left the family in Greek Revival style houses in Maine exhibit a seemingly endless variety of forms and details.

Buildings like the Traip house that have two-tier porches or colonnades along the front and side are perhaps the most under represented of this group. Wentworth House is a two-story frame building with Italianate style exterior features. It was the residence of Mark Fernald Wentworth, a physician, distinguished Civil War officer, and state politician who occupied the house with his family from the late s until his death.

His father having died in , he worked on the farm half the year and attended high school and the academy the other half.

At twenty-one, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Trafton of South Berwick. During to he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College. In became chief clerk to the naval store keeper at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, where he continued to serve until Later Wentworth finished his medical studies in Philadelphia, and received his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. He began his practice in South Boston, later moving back to Kittery where he established a large practice.

Mark Wentworth had a taste for military matters, and in he was instrumental in organizing a company of militia known as the Kittery Artillery where he was captain until In the turbulent days preceding the outbreak of the Civil War, Dr.

Wentworth was an active and ardent member of the Republican party. He took pleasure in his selection as one of the delegates from Maine to the National Convention in , at which he cast his vote for Lincoln and Hamlin. They were stationed here until June, when he was appointed store keeper at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. When President Lincoln called for troops to enlist for nine months in , he assisted in raising the Twenty-Seventh Maine Regiment, of which he became Lieutenant-Colonel, and later, Colonel.

At the request of the President and the Secretary of War, Colonel Wentworth and a large portion of his command, volunteered to defend Washington, although their duty time duty had expired. They continued in service until after the battle of Gettysburg. The survivors of the regiment received a medal of honor by vote of Congress. The regiment was recruited, organized, equipped and led under his personal supervision early in The regiment was sent to the front in two detachments, the first leaving the State under command of Major Deering.

Colonel Wentworth accompanied the second battalion. From their meals to delicious jams and jellies, their concoctions are guaranteed to satisfy every palate. Now visitors can visit and appreciate this still standing piece of American history.

Kittery Premium Outlets No trip is complete without a bit of shopping. Head to the Kittery Premium Outlets for some fabulous shopping. From the Nike Factory Store to Sunglass Hut, this outlet has it all and is the perfect place to get a gift for those at home. Here you will find some of your old favorites when you stroll down memory lane alongside your kids will find their favorites too!

For previously posted updates and information, please click here. Skip to main content. All Departments. School Committee Meeting. Climate Adaptation Committee Meeting. Town Council Special Meeting. Conservation Commission Meeting. Port Authority Meeting. All day. Board of Appeals Meeting Cancelled. Parks Commission Meeting Cancelled. Library Building Committee. Planning Board Meeting. November 15, - pm.

November 16, - pm. For instructions on how to complete the form, please click here.