The Gothic House, also known as the John J. Brown House, is an historic house at 387 Spring Street in Portland, Maine. Built in 1845, it is one of Maine's finest and earliest known examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Although it is virtually unaltered, it was moved down Spring Street in 1971 to avoid demolition. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]
The Gothic House is located in Portland's West End neighborhood, on the north side of Spring Street, a short way east of the Western Cemetery. Spring Street here is part of the Spring Street Historic District, a cluster of well-preserved 19th century residences.[2] The house is a two-story wood-frame structure, with a hip roof, wooden siding treated to resemble rusticated stone, and a modern concrete foundation. The main (south-facing) facade is three bays wide, with a central projecting section housing the main entrance. That section, topped by a steeply-pitched gable, has a two-pointed Gothic arched window on the second level, and the entrance, sheltered by a Gothic-detailed porch on the first. Windows in the flanking bays are diamond-paned casement windows. The main gable in front, and smaller gables on the side elevations, are all decorated with bargeboard trim.[3]
The house was designed by Irish immigrant Henry Rowe (1812–1870), a major proponent of the Gothic Revival, and built in 1845; it is believed to be Rowe's first commission in the state,[3] and is described in city promotional materials as the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in Maine.[4] The design is based in part on examples published in Andrew Jackson Downing's 1842 Cottage Residences. The house was originally located approximately a mile to the east of the present location, closer to the city's port area. Faced with demolition in 1971, it was moved further down Spring Street and a Holiday Inn hotel was constructed in the former location.[3]
A bronze and brass Gothic chandelier that once hung in the parlor of the house was on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from April to September 1970.[5]
^John W. Briggs (December 31, 1969). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Spring Street Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved May 31, 2015. Ten Photos
^ abcEarle G. Shettleworth Jr. (September 16, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: The Gothic House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved May 31, 2015. Also contains pre-move 1971 nomination. Photo (1971)
^Guide to the Western Promenade 2011-03-07 at the Wayback Machine Portland Landmarks
^19th-Century America: Furniture and other Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (1970), item 103
January 01, 1970
gothic, house, former, house, this, name, brighton, gothic, house, brighton, also, known, john, brown, house, historic, house, spring, street, portland, maine, built, 1845, maine, finest, earliest, known, examples, gothic, revival, architecture, although, virt. For the former house of this name in Brighton see Gothic House Brighton The Gothic House also known as the John J Brown House is an historic house at 387 Spring Street in Portland Maine Built in 1845 it is one of Maine s finest and earliest known examples of Gothic Revival architecture Although it is virtually unaltered it was moved down Spring Street in 1971 to avoid demolition It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 1 The Gothic HouseU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S Historic districtContributing propertyThe Gothic House in December 2010Show map of MaineShow map of the United StatesInteractive map showing the location of The Gothic HouseLocation387 Spring St Portland MaineCoordinates43 38 45 N 70 16 21 W 43 64583 N 70 27250 W 43 64583 70 27250Area0 5 acres 0 20 ha Built1845ArchitectHenry RoweArchitectural styleGothic RevivalPart ofSpring Street Historic District ID70000043 NRHP reference No 72001539 1 Significant datesAdded to NRHPDecember 31 1974Designated CPApril 3 1970Description and history editThe Gothic House is located in Portland s West End neighborhood on the north side of Spring Street a short way east of the Western Cemetery Spring Street here is part of the Spring Street Historic District a cluster of well preserved 19th century residences 2 The house is a two story wood frame structure with a hip roof wooden siding treated to resemble rusticated stone and a modern concrete foundation The main south facing facade is three bays wide with a central projecting section housing the main entrance That section topped by a steeply pitched gable has a two pointed Gothic arched window on the second level and the entrance sheltered by a Gothic detailed porch on the first Windows in the flanking bays are diamond paned casement windows The main gable in front and smaller gables on the side elevations are all decorated with bargeboard trim 3 The house was designed by Irish immigrant Henry Rowe 1812 1870 a major proponent of the Gothic Revival and built in 1845 it is believed to be Rowe s first commission in the state 3 and is described in city promotional materials as the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in Maine 4 The design is based in part on examples published in Andrew Jackson Downing s 1842 Cottage Residences The house was originally located approximately a mile to the east of the present location closer to the city s port area Faced with demolition in 1971 it was moved further down Spring Street and a Holiday Inn hotel was constructed in the former location 3 A bronze and brass Gothic chandelier that once hung in the parlor of the house was on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from April to September 1970 5 See also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Portland MaineReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 John W Briggs December 31 1969 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form Spring Street Historic District PDF National Park Service Retrieved May 31 2015 Ten Photos a b c Earle G Shettleworth Jr September 16 1974 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form The Gothic House PDF National Park Service Retrieved May 31 2015 Also contains pre move 1971 nomination Photo 1971 Guide to the Western Promenade Archived 2011 03 07 at the Wayback Machine Portland Landmarks 19th Century America Furniture and other Decorative Arts The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1970 item 103 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Gothic House amp oldid 1169567338, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
