The summer seems idyllic, as a couple strolls along a coastal path at Bug Light Park in South Portland, past the historic brick Cushing’s Point House.

Trees and flowers are in late bloom, and white sails dot Casco Bay in the far distance. A tiny kite, just barely seen, seems to float among the clouds.

Maine landscape artist Paul Black depicts this scene – at once familiar and romantic – in an oil painting that he hopes will captivate residents and help the South Portland Historical Society find a permanent home.

In an unusual civic gesture, Black has created limited-edition signed prints of the original painting that will be sold to raise money for the society’s purchase of the old Cushing’s Point House for a museum, office and learning center.

The prints are being sold for $100 each, available through the historical society and Old Crow Gallery on Cottage Road.

“Paul is a South Portland resident and an absolutely wonderful artist,” said Kathy DiPhilippo, director of the historical society, which now operates from a basement office at City Hall.

“Paul heard about our capital campaign and was inspired to create this oil painting. He took this project on himself.”

The nonprofit’s goal is to raise $400,000 by May 2008 to purchase the early 20th Century home from Portland Pipeline Corp. Its purchase agreement allows for a six-month extension if the goal is not met.

The group’s three-year goal is to raise a total of $1 million by 2010. The rest of the money will go to renovate the building, make it handicapped accessible and establish an endowment.

Although the building is just two stories tall, the group needs to put in an elevator and widen doorways. DiPhilippo said it is important that all residents, no matter their age or limitations, have access to the building and its resources.

But the group has a long way to go to meet its goals, having raised $78,000 since launching the campaign in May. It is applying for grants as well as soliciting individual and corporate donors.

“We are sort of on a short time frame, which is a little nerve wracking,” DiPhilippo said. “But this building is just perfect. It just is absolutely perfect.”

Black, a recognized Maine artist, said he was inspired to create the painting after learning about the historical society’s plan to purchase the house, which he sees on bicycle rides with his family along the green belt to Bug Light.

Black said he always wanted to paint Cushing’s Point House and the historical society’s campaign gave him the impetus to do it.

An artistic exception

Initially, he planned to donate the oil painting to the historical society to auction to the highest bidder, with the proceeds benefiting the capital campaign.

He has made similar charitable contributions to other causes, such as the Children’s Museum and Portland Conservatory.

But Black said he realized that by making prints, more people – especially South Portland residents – can discover a new appreciation for the abandoned house and also give to the historical society.

Black is well known for his impressionist paintings of Portland and coastal Maine. His original paintings hang at the Fore Street Gallery in the Old Port and Redfield’s Artisan Gallery in Northeast Harbor.

Black said this is the first time he has offered a limited number of prints – probably not more than a few hundred – for sale. Each print of Cushing’s Point House will be signed in pencil by the artist.

“A lot of artists make prints, but I feel my work is original and should stay that way,” said Black. “I made an exception this time for a charitable cause. I wanted to do something that was really, truly local, something that is close to home and will affect my family and friends and neighbors.”

Black said he hopes the painting will raise awareness in South Portland about the historical society and its mission.

He also is keenly interested in helping the nonprofit raise money to buy the stately old house and find permanent exhibition space for its artifacts.

Chapters in history

Cushing’s Point House has come to represent important chapters in South Portland history. It is the only home from the early 1900s that remains on Madison Street in the Cushing’s Point neighborhood.

The U.S. Maritime Commission took most of the homes by eminent domain during World War II. They were either moved or demolished to expand shipbuilding for the war effort.

A cove at Cushing’s Point, next to Bug Light, also was filled in to allow for the production and launch of Liberty Ships. The point had been named after Ezekiel Cushing, an early settler.

The home was preserved at the time and used as office space by the shipbuilders. After the war, the building had a variety of uses. In the 1990s, Cushing’s Point housed law offices and the inside was modernized.

Portland Pipeline bought the home in 2000, when it purchased several acres extending down to the water.

Several private investors have sought to buy the old home. But Portland Pipeline agreed to sell the house and some land around it to the historical society.

“They feel strongly we should have the house and it is ideal for a museum,” DiPhilippo said. “This building is historic for the story that is behind it. It has been witness to a lot of history.”

A permanent home

Developing Cushing’s Point House will enable the South Portland Historical Society “to exhibit its collections and interpret that history for people of all ages,” states the group’s Web site.

“With its close proximity to the Shipyard Memorial at Bug Light Park, the Cushing’s Point House will be an ideal location for us to display our shipyard artifacts in a permanent exhibit. A history museum will provide a destination for field trips, and the building has space sufficient to provide local history education programs.”

Cushing’s Point House is visible to anyone who drives or bicycles on Madison Street to Bug Light Park. Visitors see the old home where the street dead-ends, as they enter the park.

“No one can miss the building,” DiPhilippo said. “It just stands out. I think that it will finally find its purpose today as a museum.”

The South Portland Historical Society certainly will benefit from having a permanent home. The group has been around since 1964.

The organization was previously housed at the Sawyer School annex. But when the school was closed and sold, the historical society put its displays in storage and moved into City Hall.

The change was disruptive. But with the prospect of finding a permanent home – and museum space – DiPhilippo said the organization is looking toward the future.

“We want to make sure the historical society long outlives us,” DiPhilippo said. “We’re always thinking about the future and how to preserve our artifacts.”

DiPhilippo encourages the public to visit the Old Crow Gallery for purchase of the prints, though they also are available through the historical society.

The historical society’s operations are limited for now. DiPhilippo works out of her home, since the group’s office at City Hall lacks a phone.

She encourages residents to call her at 767-3268, if they want to make a donation. Residents also can make donations by sending a check to the South Portland Historical Society, P.O. Box 2623, South Portland, ME 04116.

The group’s Web site is at www.southportland.org. Click on the link for the historical society.

Prints of this oil painting by Paul Black will be sold to help the South Portland Historical Society purchase the red building in the painting.

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