The Holmes-Craft Homestead sits on a hill north of Jay proper at the fork of Route 17 and Old Jay Road. Original owner and early settler, John Starr was a representative to the Massachusetts General Court, first elected in 1804. Starr was a jack-of-all trades, working as a lawyer, judge, accomplished land surveyor, owner of a tavern with a stagecoach stop in the village, and postmaster. Later, Starr's son-in-law and talented cabinet maker, Aruna Holmes, purchased the property. The timber-framed Federal-style house is two stories high with a hipped roof. The front entrance is notable with sidelights that could be opened and carved paneling on either side of the door as well as a deep entablature over the door. The entrance opens to a wide central hall with a large room on either side, a unique plan for a house of this age in Maine. The first-floor rooms were likely used as a parlor and dining room, necessitating the rear ell containing the kitchen. With two chimney placed behind the ridge line on either side of the house, nearly every room in the house had a fireplace and mantle. The Holmes family sold the home to farmer Leroy Crafts in 1928. This building is owned by the Jay Historical Society and is open to the public.
Listed: 1973
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=e2a97f67-ea4e-4e6c-97d2-d9d6851c3c3c