The Joseph and Hannah Maxcy Homestead is located on South Union Road. Joseph Maxcy moved to the area from Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1788. The first European settlers arrived fifteen years earlier, but a town had yet to form. Maxcy initially cleared the land and was later joined by his brother, Benjamin. The brothers quickly purchased land near Crawford Stream and built a saw and grist mill. Like many rural communities in Maine, milling was a fruitful venture and their success became the impetus for developing the town of Union. Reflecting Maxcy's success, he hired noted local housewright Ebenezer Alden to construct the house. Alden added many Federal-style features to the exterior and interior. The house is two stories tall with a side-gabled roof. It is sheathed in clapboard siding and has a symmetrical front facade with a central entrance. The front door is flanked by Doric pilasters and is capped by an intricate broken pediment detailed by dentils and modillions. The entry is similar to one shown in William Pain's plan book, Practical House Carpenter, published in 1794. Plan books were popular at that time and disseminated current building styles to carpenters working outside of major cities. Alden was likely familiar with Pain's book and provided the house with a stylish central entry.
Year Listed: 2004
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=fc4d2711-49b9-422b-8801-5248f9caba36