Learn about life in 19th-century Maine during a visit to Harrington House. Preserved by the Freeport Historical Society (FHS), the house was built by Enoch Harrington in 1830 on a 14-acre (6-hectare) parcel of land that included extensive gardens and orchards. Today, the home houses the FHS’s exhibits, research center and archives.
After Mr. Harrington’s death, the Freeport home was rented to Henry Sturdivant, a miner from Maine who had returned to the state from work in California. In 1886, the Harrington family sold the house to Lydia Fogg, who lived here with her husband, son, extended family and two boarders. From the Fogg family, the home passed to the Edwards, then the Eben Patterson family, who owned the home for more than 50 years. Eben’s son, Levi Patterson, was a well-known Freeport citizen who served several terms in the state legislature. As you wander through its preserved rooms, imagine living as a boarder in this historic home.
The society also tends the 140-acre (57-hectare) Pettengill Farm, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) east. The farm includes an early 19th-century saltbox farmhouse, four walking trails, gardens, fields and a view of the saltwater Harraseeket estuary. The home’s final resident, Mildred Pettengill, painstakingly expanded the gardens to include wild roses, lilacs and cedar trees. Within the home, note interesting etchings on the walls of the second-floor bedrooms, such as sea monsters, animals and boats. Outside, explore the farm’s fields, woodlands, historic apple orchards and salt marsh.
If you’re in town during early October, time your visit to attend the Annual Pettengill Farm Day. Fun for the whole family, this celebration of 19th-century life includes horse-drawn wagon rides, cornhusk crafts, pumpkin painting, candle making, fresh apple cider pressing, cooking and yarn-spinning demonstrations and guided tours of the historic farmhouse.
Visit the Harrington House Tuesday through Friday, except major holidays, Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Find the house downtown near many of Freeport’s outlets. To reach Pettengill Farm, find its namesake entrance road, park at the gate and walk about 15 minutes along a dirt road to the farmhouse and gardens.
