About this Court House

The Pownalborough Court House, 1761

Courthouse picture

Of special interest to Maine historians is the old Pownalborough Court House, a notable historic building which is the only remaining pre-Revolutionary courthouse in Maine.
Today it stands serenely on an eminence overlooking the Kennebec River, and from the imposing courtroom on the second floor there is a handsome view of the river. Broad lawns and shade trees surround the building, which is situated in the town of Dresden, 8 miles inland from Wiscasset and about 15 miles up the river from Bath. It is owned and maintained by the Lincoln County Historical Association, Inc.

Calendar & Special Events

Beyond the lawns are woods with nature trails and along the river a cemetery where soldiers of the Revolution and the War of 1812 are buried. Annually on Memorial Day the Fort Western Militia, dressed in colonial uniforms, presents a musket drill followed by a short religious service at the cemetery, and the decoration of graves by children offering wildflower bouquets.

The Association has an Open-the-Season Event at the Court House in June. In July it has its annual meeting that includes a prominent guest speaker. In October there is a fall festival with cider pressing, scarecrow building and many other activities.

Court House Trivia

Question: What entrance was used as the front door?

Answer: We really don't know!

The picture above is a view of the landside. The wing on the left was not part of the original building. It was added in 1839 to be used as a woodshed. The land and river sides of the Court House are identical, including the doorways. Since practically all traffic was by water in those days, it might be assumed that the river side was considered the front, but the road from the landing, which was some one hundred yards upstream, to the Court House led to the land side of the building, perhaps because the ground was more level.