Shaw residence entered into National Register of Historic Places

    GREENVILLE — The William M. Shaw residence has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places, according to Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. This designation indicates that the property has been documented, evaluated and considered worthy of preservation and protection as part of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Photo courtesy of Brownville Elementary

    HANGING OUT WITH A MOVIE STAR — Students at Brownville Elementary had the chance to “chat” with a movie star on Oct. 29. Chrissie Fitt one of the stars of the Disney movie “Teen Beach”, did a Google Hangout chat with students in grades K-5 to discuss bullying. Fitt said she was bullied as a child, and told the Brownville students they need to talk to an adult if they’re having problems. Fitt plays the character Chee Chee, and took lots of questions about her role and about bullying. The hangout chat was organized by the school counselor, BJ Bowden.

    Located on a rise overlooking Moosehead Lake and the town of Greenville, is the former home of William M. Shaw. This elaborate, two-and-a-half story, wood-frame Queen Anne style house was built for one of Greenville’s most prosperous 19th century residents at the height of his success; this is reflected in the building’s rich and ornate embellishments. The house features sweeping porches, undulating elevations of bay windows, a compound roof, a porte-cochere, and a variety of shingles, brackets, and panels on the exterior and is know for the exquisite exotic woods used on the handsomely appropriated interior. The design of this local landmark benefited from the work of two of the state’s most prolific and important architects: E. E. Lewis of Gardiner designed the house in 1890 and the Bangor architect Wilfred E. Mansur subsequently altered the house and attached carriage house in 1905. The William M. Shaw residence was listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance as a good example of Queen Anne style domestic architecture. The building also has significance in the area of industry, as the home of William M. Shaw, who as one of the principal owners of the M. G. Shaw Lumber Company made significant contributions to the economic and civic development of the town of Greenville.