Name/Title
The Chamberlain as it appears from the Maine Street side.Entry/Object ID
2005.34.4Description
A color photograph of the J.L. Chamberlain House. The photo was taken from Maine Street.
The Chamberlains lived here in the "cape" on Potter Street through the Civil War years until 1867, when they sold part of the lot to Eldridge Simpson, and moved their house to the corner of Maine and Potter streets. After the move, the roofline was extended to the southeast to cover a small side porch with Tucson columns. Binding the roofline together was a new crenellated trim, which extended on both the Potter and Maine streets sides of the house. The center chimney had been castellated and decorated with a band line above the red Maltese cross on each face. The back chimney of the south parlor was newly rebuilt, with a band line above Latin crosses. The ell chimney appears to have Greek crosses on each face.
In September 1871, Joshua Chamberlain became President of Bowdoin College, remaining in this position until 1883. In November 1871 the Brunswick Telegraph reported, "General Chamberlain has raised his house on Maine Street." The house had rested on the corner of Maine and Potter streets for about 4 years when the most dramatic renovation took place. The College had already acquired the Captain Francis Jordan House at 85 Federal Street in 1867, and President Harris of Bowdoin lived there during his term of office, immediately preceding Chamberlain from 1867-71. Rather than move to the Federal Street house, Chamberlain made the decision to enlarge his own house to provide the space needed for his family and many guests.
See 2005.34.4.a for negative.Collection
Eleanor RennieLexicon
Search Terms
Museums, Houses, Houses - Brunswick