WELCOME to
Hallowell's Historical Society

Since 1969, leading the effort to preserve Hallowell's rich history.


Are you interested in the history of Maine’s smallest city?
Join Row House and share your interest and enthusiasm.

WELCOME to Hallowell's Historical Society

Since 1969, leading the effort to preserve Hallowell's rich history.


Are you interested in the history of Maine’s smallest city?
Join Row House and share your interest and enthusiasm.

Our Mission


Row House, Inc. was incorporated in July 1969 by a small group of civic minded citizens who were determined to preserve Hallowell’s rich history as told through its buildings and architecture. It is a history-based community organization founded with two primary missions:

  • Historic preservation, that is, the preservation of historically significant structures in the City of Hallowell, together with advocacy on historic preservation issues.
  • Preservation and promotion of community history.
The initial corporation’s eleven officers and trustees gave the seed money to purchase what was seen to be the most endangered historic property, the Gage Block also known as The Row House.


Hallowell Historic Building Survey

City Historic District


You Can Help!

One of the first projects of the organization that was to become Row House was undertaking an architectural inventory of many of Hallowell’s historic homes. This work became the basis for the City’s application for creating a 207-acre historic district. More than 80% of the buildings in downtown Hallowell were built in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The original historic building survey was completed in 1968 and is being updated this year.

Your help is needed! Become a Site Surveyor!


Hallowell Historic District


Another major accomplishment in 1970 was the acceptance of Hallowell’s application to create a 207-acre historic district. The announcement was made by Senators Margaret Chase Smith and Edmund Muskie.

The following year Senator Smith announced that Row House’s application for federal restoration funds under the National Preservation Act of 1966 was accepted. Row House, Inc. received the first grant awarded in the United States under that appropriation.

More than 80% of the buildings in downtown Hallowell were built in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The city, incorporated in 1771, is named for Benjamin Hallowell, a Boston merchant and one of the Kennebec Proprietors, holders of land originally granted to the Plymouth Company by the British monarchy in the 1620s.