Maine

These 4 homes for sale in Maine right now have rich histories

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

These 4 homes for sale in Maine right now have rich histories

Housing
This section of the BDN aims to help readers understand Maine’s housing crisis, the volatile real estate market and the public policy behind them. Read more Housing coverage here.

Maine has one of the nation’s older housing stocks, so it should come as no surprise that many homes for sale have long and storied histories.

We rounded up four homes on the market right now from South Berwick to Machias that were built centuries ago. They’re largely on the pricier side, which reflects both the high median sale price of Maine homes right now and the cost of renovating historic properties. Even ones that are less expensive to buy will need renovation to restore them to their former glory.

“There’s a lot less people out there looking for older homes than there are people looking for newer or modern homes,” Brandon Elsemore, a real estate agent with Keller Williams based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, said. “People get a little scared … thinking they’re inheriting 250-year-old problems.”

A former hotel and brewery in Machias, $350,000

This historic property in Machias, known as the Clark Perry House, is an ornate home built in 1868 for Perry, who was one of the largest property owners in town at that time. His home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architecture, described in its nomination form as “a well-preserved example of the Italianate style” in a remote region.

Since Perry’s death in 1888, the home has served as a hotel, and in more recent years was a brewery and bar. The property is on a 1-acre in-town lot and has undergone a beautiful exterior renovation effort, but renovation work is needed to restore its 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residential section, Deanna Newman, the property’s listing agent said.

An old Army hospital on Great Diamond Island, $250,000

This city-owned old Army hospital on Great Diamond Island is on the Maine market. The city would like to see it developed into housing. Credit: Courtesy of eXp Realty

The city of Portland is looking for a residential developer to breathe new life into an old army hospital it has owned since 2019 on Great Diamond Island. The vacant property was the hospital for Fort McKinley on the island.

The sprawling hospital complex was constructed in 1903 and staffed by a medical detachment unit and the Army Nursing Corps up until 1947. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once included an operating room, dentists’ office and kitchen, according to the Fort McKinley museum.

The property was supposed to be sold to a developer who wanted to turn it into condos earlier this year, but that deal fell through, Sara Reynolds, the property’s listing agent, said. That is why it’s back on the market.

This farmhouse in Harrison used to be lodging for the manager of a local hotel. Credit: Courtesy of Bearfoot Realty

This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom farmhouse for sale in the western Maine town of Harrison was built in 1850, listing agent Pam Sessions said, and for a number of years was owned by a local hotel.

The Hotel Harrison was built in 1906 and could accommodate 100 guests, Martha Denison of the Harrison Historical Society, said. The men who built and operated the hotel acquired this home on Naples Road at the same time and used it as a residence to accommodate the hotel’s manager and any extra guests, Denison said. When the hotel closed in 1964, the home was returned to private ownership.

The property includes water views, a right of way to a shared waterfront and dock on Long Lake, a barn and garden beds, Sessions, an agent with Bearfoot Realty, said. Parts of the second floor are unfinished and would need restoring.

The South Berwick home of a prolific Maine judge, $975,000

This home was owned for over 250 years by the same Maine family, whose ancestors include the founder of the state’s first school. Credit: Courtesy of Keller Williams Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty

This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in South Berwick was built in the late 1770s by Benjamin Chadbourne, a local judge and Massachusetts congressman credited with founding Berwick Academy, the oldest school in Maine.

His ancestors were heavy-hitters, too. Chadbourne’s great-grandfather, Humphrey, was a wealthy Englishman who inked one of the oldest deeds in U.S. history by buying property from a tribal chief, according to the Old Berwick Historical Society. Benjamin Chadbourne’s father, William, constructed one of the first water-powered sawmills in North America.

The Chadbournes have owned the property since and had a professional historic restoration company come in and painstakingly renovate the property in the 1990s. But the youngest generation of the family are no longer local and cannot care for it, Elsemore said.

“This is the first time the property has been on the market in its 250-year history,” Elsemore, the property’s listing agent, said. “It’s definitely beautifully cared for.”

The home includes plenty of historic accents, a barn that serves as a garage and antique shop, and a well-manicured garden area.

“Despite its age, it’s in great shape,” Elsemore said.

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

8 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

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Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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