Repairs being made to Hawthorne House in Raymond

Construction workers install a steel beam to shore up the
foundation of the Hawthorne House during the first
phase of a project to renovate the historical boyhood home
of author Nathaniel Hawthorne in Raymond last week.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Ed Pierce

Last year, the boyhood home of the legendary New England author of “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables” in Raymond, known as the “Hawthorne House,” was determined to be at risk of serious structural damage if major repairs were not made soon.

A major “Save the Hawthorne House” fundraising drive was initiated and sought to raise $75,000 to make critical repairs to the house’s foundation and structural support, roof, and siding, as identified by a professional structural engineer hired by The Hawthorne Community Association.

After a year of fundraising, the first phase of repair work on the Hawthorne House is finally under way.

Last week, the exterior chimney of the structure was taken down, two new heat pumps have been installed and cribbing and steel beams have been put in place so the excavation of the crumbling home’s foundation can begin.

Representatives of the Hawthorne Community Association say that this first phase work on the project should be completed in time for the Hawthorne House to be usable again for events by late fall.

They said that depending on the continued success of their fundraising efforts, a planned Phase II of the renovation work could launch sometime next year. That renovation work would include replacing the siding of the Hawthorne House, making roof repairs, painting and a range of interior upgrades to the structure.

“The Hawthorne House is a landmark and a source of pride, not only for our community but also for everyone who appreciates the culture and heritage of New England, and of southern Maine in particular,” said Abel Bates, of the Hawthorne Community Association, which has cared for the historic house since 1921. “By raising the needed $75,000, we will ensure that one of Maine’s most historic places will endure and that, in the future, we will continue to have this special place to hold popular community events such as our annual Strawberry Festival and Christmas Party, as well many other public gatherings.”

The Hawthorne House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1969.

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts, a descendant of William Hathorne, a Puritan who emigrated with his family from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hawthorne’s grandfather John Hathorne was a judge who presided over some of the Salem Witch Trials.

Hawthorne’s mother was widowed when he was age 4 and after living for 10 years with relatives in Salem, the family moved to a home near Sebago Lake in Raymond built for them by Hawthorne’s uncles Richard and Robert Manning in 1816. He lived there with his family for three years until being sent to boarding school in 1819, but later in life, said the time he spent at that home was indeed the happiest period of his life.

 The HCA said that it thanks all generous donors and volunteers for their support and that fundraising will continue toward future renovation efforts of the house.

For anyone interested in joining, donating, or volunteering, visit the HCA website at https://www.hawthorneassoc.com/ <