WINDHAM -Two hundred and fifty winters ago, Peter Thatcher Smith, Windham’s second community pastor, began to erect a majestic Georgian home for his bride, Elizabeth Wendell, the daughter of a wealthy Massachusetts family.
According to Linda Griffin, president of the Windham Historical Society, Smith built the elegant home at the highest point on “The Main Road” – today’s River Road – under the strict direction of his in-laws.
“Her parents were appalled that she was coming up to live in the wilds of Maine, so the story is they sent money or maybe workmen up to build a nice home for her,” Griffin said.
To commemorate the anniversary of the building project, the historical society will conduct tours this weekend of what it calls “one of the most significant Colonial homes in Cumberland County,” the Parson Smith House at 93 River Road, near the intersection of Anderson Road. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, guides will be stationed in each of the home’s rooms with scripts explaining the architectural features of the house. Birthday cake and mulled cider will be served, as well.
The home features eight fireplaces, a servant bell system, and raised panel walls, as well as original doors, thumb latches, interior shutters, and wavy, bubble-glass windows. It is located on a 124-acre piece of land that has 1,100 feet of frontage on the Presumpscot River and holds the town’s first cemetery. The house features Georgian, Federal, and Greek Revival architectural design styles.
The idea for the anniversary open house came from Elaine Dickinson, who has owned the Parson Smith House since 1996 with her husband, Donald.
“I gave it a facelift this year,” she said. “I repaired all of the clapboards, and I painted a lot of the paint that needed to be done at the front of the carriage house. I figured it had a facelift.It needs a birthday party. The house needs a birthday party.”
For 15 years, the Dickinsons regularly hosted elementary school students who came to tour the house. But ever since Donald suffered a stroke in 2011, the tours have ceased. This weekend’s open house will be the first in four years.
To the Dickinsons, the house’s condition today is a testament to old-fashioned construction methods.
“It’s pretty remarkable that it’s in such good condition,” Elaine Dickinson said. “Houses nowadays that are built don’t last like this one.”
“It’s still serving us well and probably will serve others for another 150 years,” said Donald Dickinson. “It is that well-built.”
The historical society suggests a $10 donation for those older than 11 that attend the weekend open house.
Elaine and Donald Dickinson will open their home, the historic Parson Smith House, to the public this weekend in celebration of its 250th birthday. The Windham Historical Society and its president, Linda Griffin, right, will give tours of the home for a suggested donation of $10. Send questions/comments to the editors.
