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McLellan-Sweat Mansion, Portland, 1971

Contributed by Greater Portland Landmarks
MMN Item 23284 Item Details
McLellan-Sweat Mansion, Portland, 1971
MMN Item 23284 Zoom

Description

Wealthy merchant, Major Hugh McLellan, came from a prominent Scots-Irish family that engaged in the retail and shipbuilding trades. He commissioned local building craftsman, John Kimball, to design the McLellan-Sweat House at 116 High Street in Portland in 1800.

His brother, Stephen, later auctioned off the house.

The entry is sheltered by a portico supported by columns. The door is framed by sidelights and pilasters placed below an arched window. Above the portico is a Palladian window that opens to the portico roof. The shallow hipped roof of the third story is encompassed by a delicate balustrade and complimented by the portico roof. The exterior is painted white brick and hand-carved urns top fence posts.

Federal style architecture was popular 1785-1820 and reflected similar aspects present in Georgian Style, however, Federal characteristics in comparison tend to be elongated and airy. Pediments, pilasters, entablatures, arched windows, fanlights, Palladian windows and cornices are can be seen in both Georgian and Federal Styles.

The Federal style incorporates facades, painted white moldings (dentil, beaded, pearled, fluted, reeds), dado and cornice, carved reliefs and forms (urns, medallions, swags, garlands, classical figures), arches between interior rooms, marble and building materials were typically used for their inherent qualities.

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