Name/Title
William Trott House | 27 Summer Street, Lubec, MaineDescription
Built:1860
Lubec, Maine
From http://www.peacockhouse.com/welcome-to-inn.htm:
The Early Years
Overlooking the Bay of Fundy, the Peacock House is nestled in the little town of Lubec, Maine's easternmost community in the US. The house was built in 1860 by Captain William Trott, a sea captain from Bedford, England. He built the then modest structure, for his bride, Lois Neagle Trott.
Captain William Trott
Captain Trott
The house was originally constructed as a Victorian with later updates making it more of a mixture of Federal and Revivalist architectural styles. Like most sea captain homes, the original house included elaborate finishings and workmanship throughout. Much of this was lost in the 1930s update.
The house passed to the Peacock family in 1880 with the marriage of Robert Peacock to Minnie Trott, the old sea captain's daughter. Five generations of the Peacock family lived here, adding to the house and hosting some of Maine's most prominent people. Guests included US Senator Margaret Chase Smith, Donald McMillen (the famous Arctic explorer), US Senator Edmond Muskie and more recently, humorist Tim Sample.
Changes Made Over the Years
The main part of the house was remodeled to its present structural layout in 1936 by Mr. Carroll B. Peacock. Mr. Peacock brought in a Massachusetts architect to design the changes. A maids room and an informal library were added to the third floor wing and massive changes to the front were accomplished. The grand porch was removed and replaced with a smaller version. The entry was moved, a formal foyer added, stairs to the second floor moved, and a formal parlor and guest suite created. At the same time, the three second floor family bedrooms were outfitted with new hot and cold water sinks. Older marble and brass fixtures were discarded -- antiquities lost. After this re-construction the house boasted twelve rooms, including seven bedrooms and four full baths.
Major updating of the electrical utilities were also completed at this time and the house was converted to a very efficient hot water heating system that still services the house. Rented for a time, and then neglected and vacant for a number of years, the house was in desperate shape when the Childs family found it in late 1988.rnrnA new kitchen was created in what had been the galley area, the former kitchen was converted to a family breakfast room, plumbing and heating repairs were completed, new ceilings installed, paint and wallpaper were updated. On June 16, 1989, the house was formally opened as PEACOCK HOUSE, and a new bed & breakfast inn was born.rn
Twelve light and airy rooms replaced the darker colors preferred in Victorian days. Light decorative tones, French glass doors, and a mixture of antiques, replicas, and contemporary furnishings blend well to provide a distinctive charm.rnrnWhen it opened, only four of the seven bedrooms were made available to guests of the inn. The need for special access on the first floor, demanded the removal of shared baths and the addition of handicap accessible facilities. A two story addition was completed in June of 1992, yielding two first floor accommodations, a second story laundry, and new private baths for two existing rooms. In 1998, two additional expansions were completed, creating mini-suites on the first floor and enlarging the sun deck. The additions were executed in keeping with the architectural style of the 1936 changes. The new rooms are appointed and decorated in the same light color style with matching wood trims and antique fixtures. This beautiful old home now has twenty rooms which include nine bedrooms and eight and a half baths.
The Peacock House Today
In 2002, The Peacock House was purchased by Dennis and Sue Baker. The Bakers hail from Reading, Pennsylvania. For 15 years they have been vacationing in Maine and were drawn to this area for its natural beauty, friendly people, and quiet lifestyle. They live with their cats, Charles and Captain Trott a.k.a "The Captain". The Bakers have recently renovated two additional rooms, The Downeast Room and The Peacock Suite - bringing the total guest rooms to seven. The Bakers are eager to share this lovely historic home and their love of Maine with guests. You will be welcomed with a friendly smile and a warm hello - so come visit them soon!rnrn
