The Stephen Coffin House is unique as a rare example of a Federal period store attached to the merchant's house. Along with the Matthew Cottrill House (also in Damariscotta), the house is among the best examples of the Federal style in the area. The store was in the west wing, partially visible above, and was likely simplistic when compared to the fine interior of the house. The house features four rooms per floor, two on either side of a central hall and a rectangular kitchen at the back, through which the store was accessed. The front rooms have paneled wainscoting, carved mantels, and wide crown molding. The most elaborate feature of the house is the wide door surround consisting of thin, paired pilasters supporting a Doric entablature with a full width denticulated band. Coffin was a local merchant who bought several lots in Damariscotta around the assumed date of construction of this house. It is thought that he ran his mercantile shop out of the house's basement initially, but then soon built the narrow wing to for his expanding business. The Greek Revival-style door surround found on the wing was likely added after 1850. In 1922 the Library Association and Women's Club of Damariscotta purchased the property for use as a library and space for the club. The building continued to house the Damariscottas library until 2001 when a larger library building opened.
Year Listed: 1974
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=a56e7dc9-65fa-45ee-beeb-4a8d5d4bc953