Free House on 1.5 Acres in Calais, Maine
Seller Comments
The National Park Service is accepting long-term lease proposals for the historic McGlashan-Nickerson House situated near Red Beach in Calais, Maine. Here’s how it works: lease-holder occupies the house – whether as a private residence or commercial venture – at no cost (rent free!) in exchange for financing the long-term rehabilitation of the house. The timeline is generous: you’ll have up to 60 years to lease and enjoy this historic gem.
The McGlashan-Nickerson property provides an exciting chance for a preservation-minded individual to create something truly unique. A little creativity and a lot of TLC could go a long way to rescue an imperiled Maine landmark!
The property’s potential abounds. Imagine it as a:
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Private homestead
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Community-oriented garden
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Non-profit headquarters
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Co-working space
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Corporate retreat venue
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Summer home
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Bed & breakfast
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Winter sports getaway
NOTE: Although the formal deadline has passed, the NPS is still accepting inquiries.
St. Croix Island, Maine. Free House
History
The National Register-listed, Italianate-style house was built in 1883 for Scottish immigrant George G. McGlashan, who helped establish the Maine Red Granite Company in Red Beach, Calais. Justice Samuel H. Nickerson acquired the property in 1887 following McGlashan’s death.
The House
The two-story, wood-frame house touts nearly 5,400 square feet of interior space, featuring three bedrooms on the second floor, three bonus bedrooms in the ell addition, and bathrooms on each floor with room for more. The first floor includes a front and rear parlor, dining room, and a pantry off the central hall. Italianate details such as heavily molded door and window surrounds, bracketed hoods, and four-panel doors embellish the space, along with two tiled fireplaces. A hall connects the front rooms to the rambling kitchen, which provides ample room for modern upgrades.
Explore the house virtually to discover its charm!
The attached 750-square-foot carriage barn features a large sliding exterior door, a second-story loading door, and three horse stalls. The basement is unfinished with a concrete floor and a locally sourced, cut-red-granite stone foundation.
The 1.5-acre parcel is accessed via a shared gravel drive.
The Area
The McGlashan Nickerson House is part of the St. Croix Island International Historic Site, a small unit of the National Park Service located along the banks of the scenic St. Croix River. The site is more a peaceful retreat than an attraction, receiving just 12,000 visitors annually, and part of the larger cultural heritage corridor shared with our Canadian neighbors. Along with easy access to the St. Croix River for boating, paddling, and fishing opportunities, the McGlashan-Nickerson House is proximate to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Downtown Eastport and Calais, and destinations across the border including Saint Andrews and Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
Now or Never
We have long-advocated for the National Park Service to rehabilitate the house and interpret the property as an important part of local history. The house was included in Maine Preservation’s Most Endangered Historic Places list in 2018 and now remains on borrowed time. If a new steward does not step up, this historic home–one of the few remaining links to the granite and plaster industries and its proprietors in the Red Beach community–will be lost.
Maine Preservation is dedicated to finding a path forward and our staff is ready to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and troubleshoot challenges with people who have a committed interest in saving the McGlashan-Nickerson House. Depending on the prospective use, there may be opportunities for grant funding or historic rehabilitation tax credits. Please email [email protected] for assistance.
More detailed information, including the Request for Proposals from the National Park Service is available here. NOTE: Although the formal deadline has passed, the NPS is still accepting inquiries.
25 Comments
Felicia
WOW.
Linda Lee Carroll
Absolutely love the property and everything about it. I’d love to make sure this property was restored and kept as is. I’m not a fan of destroying old houses and old buildings. It’s a beautiful place and I’d be honored to live there and restore it to its original beauty..
Robert Hix
Very nice opportunity
Wiley Albritton
My wife and I are very interested if this place is still available…we have always wanted a place to restore…the last place we were trying to get was auctioned off before we could get to it….
Lucian Hanlon
Selling my house in Michigan look for new start the house im selling was built in 1900 ive been restoring the floors
Rich Gorman
I’ve been a carpenter for over 25 years. I am expressing great interest in this project, in rehabilitating this property. I have experience in all of the trades and I have the fourth knowledge and aptitude to see the project through to its completion. Please contact me via email or text/call, 971-707-5327. I’m well trained in framing, painting replacing floors, light plumbing & electrical…landscaping rooms and concrete work and roof’s. I hail from New York but I currently reside in Oregon. I have seven children and I believe that this would be a great project for us as a family business. Thank you for your consideration of my company in helping to preserve this wonderful property.
Melissa Murphy
Beautiful place
Janet
I rehabilitated an historic house once and the tax writeoffs were very helpful. That was many years ago though so I don’t know what they are like now.
Jennifer
This certainly is beautiful, but I can see why they haven’t received any RFPs. They have an expectation that the lessee will be paying for ALL EXPENSES for the repairs (but you still can’t repair or alter anything at all without permission), and pay for any other house related expenses (including all the property taxes!) AND still pay RENT on top of all that (but there’s a serious penalty if you leave)! And you won’t even own the property!!! What?!? I’m all for restoring historic property, but NO WAY would I submit a proposal for that kind of deal.
Joseph stewart
My phone number is Joseph I need to speak with someone about more information thank you
[email protected]
If you have further questions, please email Gail Gladstone. Link is at the bottom of the post.
Keith Allen
Please email back with the next steps to move forward with this amazing opportunity. Thank you.
[email protected]
The link for the application can be found at the bottom of the post.
Sarah Ruzzoli
My husband and I would love a chance at living here and fixing it up we need a place a ways away from a lot of people and this place would be perfect for us and it would give my husband a chance to be able to relax a little. It’s also a beautiful place and we would be honored to be a part of history.
[email protected]
There is a whole application process. You can access it via the link at the bottom of the post.
Jennifer Richardson
Me and my family are very interested in this property! We would fix this gorgeous home and make it a bed and breakfast!
[email protected]
There is an application process. Link to it can be found at the bottom of the post.
George Bahr
Whole lotta cost in this free house, but might be worth it when all said and done.
Kelly Renee thomas
I am interested in the opportunity to live in and fix this house up. I have the skill and knowledge to make this home into something spectacular. I can be reached at my email address.
[email protected]
There is a process to be considered. The application can be found through the link at the bottom of the post.
Melissa
i am interested
[email protected]
If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post.
Gary Goodin
Interested in this project and future home.
[email protected]
Here’s the request for proposal.https://www.nps.gov/articles/mcglashan-nickerson-house.htm
Linda
I know this was from a couple years ago, but I didn’t know it existed til today. Does anyone happen to know the status on this. was it torn down? did someone take the offer to live there? or are they still looking for someone? I ask because my husband, roommate and I are very interested.
Thanks,
-Linda