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Press Release – June 30, 2006

11th Annual List of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Properties Announced

Portland, Maine.  Today, Maine Preservation announced its 11th annual list of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Properties at a press conference outside the Kennebec County Court House in downtown Augusta – in full view of the historic YMCA across the street.   The Kennebec County YMCA, built in 1914, is among the six structures and one National Register historic district officially named to the program this year by Maine Preservation’s Board of Trustees.   The selections were made after reviewing a record number of nominations received earlier this year.

“We believe that Ma ine's traditional buildings and landscapes provide tangible links to our past and   future.  They are strong and contributing elements of our cultural legacy,” stated Maine Preservation Board President, Cynthia Wheelock. “Our mission is to promote the preservation, protection and vitality of Maine's historic places and encourage quality design that contributes to the livability of our communities,” she said.

“Eleven years ago we began our Most Endangered Historic Properties program to increase public awareness of the need to preserve and protect our vanishing heritage, and to provide leadership and support in the rescue of significant historic structures and sites across Maine.    

“The program demonstrates the variety and severity of threats facing historic structures and sites across Maine.   Endangered status does not ensure the protection of a site or provide funding, yet it continually helps to raise local awareness and helps focus the work that often leads to rescue,” said Roxanne Eflin, the organization’s Executive Director.

New to the list in 2006 are:

•  the 1914 Kennebec County YMCA , 33 Winthrop Street, Augusta, endangered by

potential redevelopment;

•  two buildings on Great Diamond Island in Portland - the former 200-man Barracks and the Hospital at Fort McKinley (1903-1910), both endangered by deterioration, lack of use and potential demolition;

•  the Standish Corner (National Register) Historic District (six 18th and 19th century structures on eight acres in the village center of Standish), established in 1993, endangered by potential new development, building relocation and proposed demolition;

•  the 1891 J.K.Edes Building in downtown Guilford (where Burt’s Bees began), endangered by deterioration, lack of use and potential demolition;

•  the 1920 Stockholm Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in Aroostook County; and

•  the 1940 Houlton Aviation Control Tower.   Both of these rare towers are endangered by deterioration due to lack of funds for maintenance.

Since 1996, and including this year, 69 individual and six statewide thematic property types have received “Most Endangered” status. 22 are now considered “rescued,” with another 47 still considered “at risk” including the six statewide thematic properties types of Barns and Agricultural Buildings, Historic Downtown “Main Streets”, Historic Neighborhood Schools, Grange Halls, Town Meeting Halls, and Steeple and Towers. Only six endangered properties have been lost to demolition since the program began 11 years ago.  

For photos of this year’s list, inspiring success stories and ways to get involved, visit www.mainepreservation.org or call Roxanne Eflin, Executive Director, at (207) 775-3652.

Six sites join Maine 'endangered' list

From staff and news services, Associated Press

The Kennebec County YMCA, two military buildings on Portland's Great Diamond Island and six structures in Standish's village center are among the new additions to the list of Maine's most endangered historic properties.

Maine Preservation, a private nonprofit organization, began the list 11 years ago to increase public awareness of historic structures and sites that are threatened.

"We believe that Maine's traditional buildings and landscapes provide tangible links to our past and future. They are strong elements of our cultural legacy," Cynthia Wheelock, president of the board of trustees, said in a statement.

Six additions were made to the list this year after a review of a record number of nominations. The listings were announced Friday at a news conference in Augusta, within sight of the YMCA, a three-story building in the classical revival style.

The YMCA building is up for sale because a new Y is scheduled to open in September. Maine Preservation fears how it might be redeveloped but is heartened by interest from Housing Initiatives of New England, a developer that is considering rehabilitating the property.

On Great Diamond Island, a former 200-man barracks and the hospital at Fort McKinley, built in the early 1900s, are threatened by deterioration, lack of use and potential demolition.

The Standish Corner Historic District includes six 18th- and 19th-century structures that face potential new development, building relocation and proposed demolition. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In downtown Guilford, the J.K. Edes Building, built in 1891, is threatened by deterioration, lack of use and potential demolition.

In Aroostook County, the Stockholm Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, built in 1920, and the Houlton Aviation Control Tower, built in 1940, face deterioration and a lack of funds for maintenance.

Maine Preservation's endangered status has been given to 69 properties. The designation does not come with any funding, but aims to help in their preservation. 

The group said 22 properties have been rescued since the list was started, six have been lost to demolition and 46 are considered still at risk.