Emerson-Wilcox House
In the historic village of York stands one of the quiet survivors of early New England life: The Emerson-Wilcox House, a structure whose story stretched back nearly three centuries.
Built between 1735 and 1742, the house began as a center-chimney colonial dwelling. The early form revolved around a massive central fireplace, the heart of the home during long Maine winters.
In 1760, Edward Emerson expanded the house. He moved an earlier structure and physically attached it to the existing house. This created the distinctive L-shaped form that still defines the building today. Over time, the home continued to grow, eventually reaching about fifteen rooms.
The Emerson-Wilcox house was never just a private residence, at different times, it served as a general store, stage tavern, tailor shop and post office. This constant adaptation offers a glimpse of how early towns functioned, where one building could serve many purposes.
Today, this house is preserved by the Old York Historical Society as part of a collection of historic buildings that together tell the story of one of Maine’s earliest settlements.
Read More From Nancy
Nathan Hale Homestead
Tucked amid the rolling fields and stone-walled roads of Coventry, Connecticut, stands the Nathan Hale Homestead, built around 1772 by Richard Hale, the father of Nathan. Though Nathan did not grow up in this particular house, it stood on the family’s farmland where he had spent his boyhood. By the time the house was finished, […]
Naumkeag
While visiting the Berkshires, Marty and I made our way to one of the most memorable homes in Stockbridge, the remarkable estate known as Naumkeag. Set high on a hill, the house is a mix of brick, stone and shingle, and along with its rounded turret, gives it a European feel. Naumkeag is a product of […]
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
While traveling through the Hudson River Valley, we made our way to Hyde Park to visit the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. Set above the Hudson River, the estate presents a sense of scale. This was the country home of Frederick William Vanderfilt, a member of one of the most influential families of the Gilded Age. […]
