James Montgomery Flagg House

James Montgomery Flagg House

The house in 2014
Location St. Martin's Lane, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine
Coordinates 43°27′00″N 70°20′38″W / 43.45000°N 70.34389°W / 43.45000; -70.34389Coordinates: 43°27′00″N 70°20′38″W / 43.45000°N 70.34389°W / 43.45000; -70.34389
Area 2.7 acres (1.1 ha)
Built 1910
Architect Unknown
Architectural style Craftsman/Bungalow
NRHP Reference # 80000260[1]
Added to NRHP April 23, 1980

The James Montgomery Flagg House is an historic house on St. Martin's Lane in the Biddeford Pool area of Biddeford, York County, Maine. It was built in 1910 as the summer home of James Montgomery Flagg, a New York-based artist and illustrator known for political cartoons and the iconic World War I recruiting poster depicting Uncle Sam. The house is decorated with murals painted by Flagg, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1] In 2013, its owner, citing the building's deteriorated condition, received approval to demolish and rebuild the house, preserving Flagg's murals.

Description and history

The Flagg House is located on the north side of Biddeford Pool, a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Maine south of the mouth of the Saco River. It is one of a cluster of houses located at the northern end of St. Martin's Lane, a private lane bisecting a golf course. It is a 1-1/2 wood frame bungalow, with a side-facing gable roof, twin chimneys, and a stuccoed exterior. The main facade is oriented to the south, away from the sea, and is seven bays wide with center entry. The roof above has two shed-roof dormers. The north (seaward) facade is similar, although it has a single wide dormer in the roof. Single-story wings extend the building to either side.[2]

The house was built in 1910 for James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960), and it was his summer retreat until 1940. He painted wall murals of Maine landscapes and coastal seascapes throughout its first floor.[2] The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[2] In 2013, the Biddeford Historic Preservation Commission approved the demolition of the house.[3] The owner has promised to preserve the murals.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 "NRHP nomination for James Montgomery Flagg House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  3. ↑ Russell, Eric (October 12, 2013). "Historic house in Biddeford Pool will get the ax". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
World War I Uncle Sam recruiting poster, drawn by James Montgomery Flagg.
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