Hallowell Street Museum
What do all these places have in common?
The Manhattan Bridge Archway and the Surrogate’s Courthouse in New York City. Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall in Boston. The New York State Capital in Albany. The post offices in Cleveland, Houston, and Chicago. The Maine State Capital.
These, along with many other buildings and landmarks (including a myriad of Civil War monuments), were made — in part or in whole — with granite from Hallowell. This Maine city was the seventeenth visit in my journey to every municipality in the state. My focus was a museum that is not contained within walls.
Hallowell is one of ten Maine communities which have partnered with The Museum in the Streets project. Five additional states and two other countries have set up historic walking tours in their towns. The founder and director of this creative venture is Patrick Cardon, a Maine resident who was born in France. Mr. Cardon has a rich history in museum management; among other experiences, he served as Secretary General at the International Council of Museums.
The Museum in the Streets of Hallowell includes twenty points within a ten-block radius. An online guide is available or you can pick up a printed copy at the City Hall or the Hubbard Library. Panels are displayed either alongside or directly on the featured buildings. They provide a glimpse into the fascinating history of the area.
It is difficult to choose only a couple of highlights, but two stood out to me: the Hubbard Free Library and the home of Ebenezer Dole. The library was built of Hallowell granite. It would be understandable if you mistook it for a church. In fact, the architect designed it to resemble an English country church.
Hubbard Free Library
The railroad tracks run behind the building. In 1937, the train jumped the tracks and crashed INTO the library. Thankfully, no one was injured, but repairs took a couple of months. By the look of things they did a fine job.
A couple blocks down the street from the library is the home of Deacon Ebenezer Dole. It was here that the first anti-slavery movement in Maine was organized in 1833. According to Emma Nason’s 1909 history of Hallowell, Deacon Dole was an outstanding leader in the community. She writes, “No resident of Old Hallowell will be longer and more distinctly remembered for his genial qualities, his philanthropic spirit, and his marked individuality than Deacon Ebenezer Dole.” [Old Hallowell on the Kennebec, p. 187]
Point #5 on Hallowell’s Museum in the Streets: the home of Deacon Ebenezer Dole.
The majority of the stops in this outdoor museum are along Water Street. Hallowell hugs the Kennebec River. If you get tired on your walk, you can enjoy a rest in these colorful chairs at the water’s edge.
The scene is so tranquil, it can be difficult to remember that this waterway was once bustling with industry. Ships were built and sent out from this place. Some of them carried the massive granite stone that was used around the country.
At the time of this writing (late June 2019), it is possible to own a piece of the local history. For “only” $5.5 million, you can purchase the Hallowell Granite Works and its 78 acres. Find all the details, along with more of its history, at this site.
If you don’t have the spare cash to become the new owner of this landmark, you can — for free — enjoy this museum in the streets of Hallowell. Check out the other walking tours in Augusta, Bar Harbor, Belfast, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Searsport, Thomaston, Waterville, and Wiscasset.
I’m on a mission to visit every town in Maine. Check here to see if I’ve featured yours yet: All The Visits. To learn more about this adventure, see the about page.
