ELLSWORTH: Woodlawn’s main house, the Black House has been named “Maine’s Most Famous House” by magazine, House Beautiful.
The Black House, is Federal in style with Greek revival overtones. It is based on a design from Asher Benjamin’s architectural book, “The American Builder’s Companion”. Construction on the house began in 1824 and in late 1827 or early 1828 Colonel John Black’s family moved in. The brick was shipped from Philadelphia and is laid without a visible header course. There are seven chimneys servicing nine fireplaces. The last member of the family to live at Woodlawn was George Nixon Black, Jr. Today, the Black House contains all of its original furnishings and collections and has been maintained for public use since 1929 by the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations.
Woodlawn’s Executive Director, Joshua Campbell Torrance said, “We are thrilled to be awarded this designation by House Beautiful and to be listed among so many historically significant houses across the country.” Torrance continued, “We are incredibly proud of this recognition and its reflection upon our beautiful city of Ellsworth, Maine.”
The news is perfectly timed as Woodlawn prepares for next week’s Ellsworth Antiques Show at Woodlawn (August 15-17). Attendees will now have the opportunity to tour “Maine’s Most Famous House” as part of their Show experience.
House Beautiful’s full article can be found at: https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/g28568149/most-famous-houses-in-every-state/