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The 1761 Pownalborough Court House
Built in 1761 by the Kennebec Proprietors, a group of wealthy Boston investors, and designed by noted Boston architect, Gershom Flagg, the building is the only remaining pre-Revolutionary War court building in Maine. Originally built within the stockade of Fort Shirley, the Fort quickly fell into disuse and was taken down, but Pownalborough Court House still stands majestically overlooking the Kennebec River.
Among the famous visitors, judges and lawyers who served in its Court Room were Robert Treat Paine, Benedict Arnold, William Cushing, and two governors of Massachusetts - David Sewall and James Sullivan. In 1765, a young lawyer by the name of John Adams tried a land ownership case here against the powerful Kennebec Proprietors. His victory won him an important new client and launched him on a successful law career. Visitors hear stories of the varied crimes and often rough justice of 18th century America - as a colony and as a new republic - as well as the story of a rural community in the days of Revolution.
The Court House served as a tavern, meeting house, guest house and a family home for almost 200 years. From 1807 - 1855, it was the home of the Dresden post office. The Pownalborough Court House is also featured in Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s Pulitzer Prize winning book (and PBS documentary) The Midwife's Tale - the Diary of Martha Ballard.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Courthouse is a wonderful example of classic New England architecture. In addition to visiting the museum, visitors can walk a beautiful Nature Trail along the Kennebec River, picnic on our extensive grounds and visit the nearby cemetery, where heroes of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War are buried.
The story of the first residents, Major Samuel Goodwin and his family and that of his descendants who continued to occupy the home until 1953, is the story of the evolution of a nation. Today, the Court House is owned by the Lincoln County Historical Association.
Hours of Operation
The museum is open Saturdays & Sundays in June and September, 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays and Noon – 4 PM on Sundays. In July and August the museum is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM and Sundays 12 – 4 PM. October – May the museum is open by appointment only.
Admission is $4 for Adults. Admission includes both the Jail and the current exhibition. Please call ahead for group rates.
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