Gay-Munroe House
64 Highland Ave., Auburn, MEConstructed in 1878 from designs by the Lewiston architectural firm of Stevens & Coombs, the Gay-Munroe House is a tall, asymmetrically massed frame dwelling that exhibits a blend of Victorian architectural styles. It was originally built by local shoe manufacturer Charles Gay and was subsequently occupied by industrialist Willard N. Munroe. The house is eligible for listing in the National Register under criterion B for its association with Willard Munroe, and criterion C for its local architectural significance.
Charles Gay (1837-1916) was engaged in the shoe manufacturing business in Auburn, which was the center of Maine's nineteenth and early twentieth-century shoe industry. According to accounts of the numerous shoe manufacturers that appear in the History of Androscoggin County, Maine (1891), Gay was a partner in the company of Smith & Gay, which was one of the builders and original occupants of the Roak Block (NR 1/28/82), a "row factory" composed of nine four-story, four-bay blocks built in 1871-72 to house new and modest sized shoe companies. This same source also states that Gay formed a partnership in 1875 with J.O. Foss, which subsequently became Gay, Foss & Co. when W. H. Foss joined the firm. In 1883, Gay retired from the firm to establish the Gay-Woodman Company in Lewiston, which at the time was the only shoe manufactory in the city. Gay and his wife Emma L. Gay (1849-1905) occupied their Highland Avenue residence until 1894, when it was acquired by Willard Noble Munroe and his wife Ella Mae (Perry) Munroe (1859-1940).
Like Charles Gay, Willard Noble Munroe (1860-1938) was a shoe manufacturer. According to his obituary that appeared in the June 18, 1938 edition of the Lewiston Evening Journal, Munroe was one of the partners in the firm of Munroe, Packard, and Linscott, and was a founder and first president of the Auburn Shoe Manufacturer's Association. In the late 1890s, Munroe also became involved in paper manufacturing industries in New Hampshire and Quebec, Canada. By the early twentieth century, the Quebec-based Brompton Pulp and Paper Company, with which Munroe was affiliated as treasurer, had become one of the largest paper manufacturing firms in Canada. Munroe's prominence in this enterprise undoubtedly explains the family account that the Premier of Canada attended his funeral.
The architectural firm of Stevens & Coombs was composed of William H. Stevens (1818-1880) and George M. Coombs (1852-1909). According to his entry in A Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine, Stevens moved to Lewiston in 1849 but left for California two years later. In 1855 he returned to Lewiston where he found employment as a carpenter and builder. The first record of his having designed a building was in 1865 when one of the local papers noted that he had designed the Worumbo Mill in Lisbon Falls. In 1873, Stevens formed a partnership with Maine's leading architect, Francis H. Fassett of Portland, but this association was dissolved the following year. Stevens then formed a partnership in 1875 with George M. Coombs, who had previously been a member of the firm of Kimball & Coombs, and they practiced together until Stevens' death. The elder partner's declining health in the late 1870s has led to speculation that George M. Coombs was responsible for much of the innovative design that came from the firm in this period, including the Gay-Munroe House. Coombs subsequently developed a statewide practice with various partners and descendent firms to the present Auburn architectural firm of Harriman Associates. Although a full accounting of the work of Stevens & Coombs has not been developed, it is clear that the Gay-Munroe House is an important example of the firm's eclectic work in this period.
Local significance of the building:
Charles Gay (1837-1916) was engaged in the shoe manufacturing business in Auburn, which was the center of Maine's nineteenth and early twentieth-century shoe industry. According to accounts of the numerous shoe manufacturers that appear in the History of Androscoggin County, Maine (1891), Gay was a partner in the company of Smith & Gay, which was one of the builders and original occupants of the Roak Block (NR 1/28/82), a "row factory" composed of nine four-story, four-bay blocks built in 1871-72 to house new and modest sized shoe companies. This same source also states that Gay formed a partnership in 1875 with J.O. Foss, which subsequently became Gay, Foss & Co. when W. H. Foss joined the firm. In 1883, Gay retired from the firm to establish the Gay-Woodman Company in Lewiston, which at the time was the only shoe manufactory in the city. Gay and his wife Emma L. Gay (1849-1905) occupied their Highland Avenue residence until 1894, when it was acquired by Willard Noble Munroe and his wife Ella Mae (Perry) Munroe (1859-1940).
Like Charles Gay, Willard Noble Munroe (1860-1938) was a shoe manufacturer. According to his obituary that appeared in the June 18, 1938 edition of the Lewiston Evening Journal, Munroe was one of the partners in the firm of Munroe, Packard, and Linscott, and was a founder and first president of the Auburn Shoe Manufacturer's Association. In the late 1890s, Munroe also became involved in paper manufacturing industries in New Hampshire and Quebec, Canada. By the early twentieth century, the Quebec-based Brompton Pulp and Paper Company, with which Munroe was affiliated as treasurer, had become one of the largest paper manufacturing firms in Canada. Munroe's prominence in this enterprise undoubtedly explains the family account that the Premier of Canada attended his funeral.
The architectural firm of Stevens & Coombs was composed of William H. Stevens (1818-1880) and George M. Coombs (1852-1909). According to his entry in A Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine, Stevens moved to Lewiston in 1849 but left for California two years later. In 1855 he returned to Lewiston where he found employment as a carpenter and builder. The first record of his having designed a building was in 1865 when one of the local papers noted that he had designed the Worumbo Mill in Lisbon Falls. In 1873, Stevens formed a partnership with Maine's leading architect, Francis H. Fassett of Portland, but this association was dissolved the following year. Stevens then formed a partnership in 1875 with George M. Coombs, who had previously been a member of the firm of Kimball & Coombs, and they practiced together until Stevens' death. The elder partner's declining health in the late 1870s has led to speculation that George M. Coombs was responsible for much of the innovative design that came from the firm in this period, including the Gay-Munroe House. Coombs subsequently developed a statewide practice with various partners and descendent firms to the present Auburn architectural firm of Harriman Associates. Although a full accounting of the work of Stevens & Coombs has not been developed, it is clear that the Gay-Munroe House is an important example of the firm's eclectic work in this period.
Architecture; Industry
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Maine was the first state to adopt Prohibition: Maine was the first state to adopt Prohibition in 1851, almost 70 years before the rest of the country followed suit. However, it was also one of the first states to repeal Prohibition, doing so in 1934.
About Androscoggin County
Androscoggin County Timeline
Androscoggin County, located in the state of Maine, has a rich and diverse history that dates back centuries. The area was historically inhabited by the Abenaki Native American tribe who utilized the Androscoggin River, which runs through the county, for transportation, fishing, and trade. European settlers arrived in the early 17th century, with the first permanent settlement established in the 1630s.
The region saw significant growth during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The Androscoggin River played a crucial role in the development of textile mills, shoe factories, and paper mills, transforming the area into a major industrial center. Communities like Lewiston and Auburn became thriving manufacturing hubs, attracting a large immigrant population, particularly French-Canadians and Irish immigrants, who came to work in the mills.
The county faced challenges during the Great Depression in the 1930s, with the closure of many mills and factories leading to high unemployment rates. However, Androscoggin County remained resilient and diversified its economy by expanding into other industries like healthcare and higher education. The establishment of institutions like Bates College and hospitals helped to stabilize the region economically and provide new opportunities for its residents.
In recent years, Androscoggin County has experienced revitalization efforts focused on preserving its history and promoting tourism. The area boasts a wealth of historical landmarks, including the Bates Mill complex and various museums, which attract visitors interested in learning about its industrial past. Additionally, the county's natural beauty, with its rivers, parks, and lakes, has made it a popular destination for outdoor recreational activities. Overall, Androscoggin County's history is characterized by industrial growth, cultural diversity, and the ability to adapt to changing economic circumstances.
The region saw significant growth during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The Androscoggin River played a crucial role in the development of textile mills, shoe factories, and paper mills, transforming the area into a major industrial center. Communities like Lewiston and Auburn became thriving manufacturing hubs, attracting a large immigrant population, particularly French-Canadians and Irish immigrants, who came to work in the mills.
The county faced challenges during the Great Depression in the 1930s, with the closure of many mills and factories leading to high unemployment rates. However, Androscoggin County remained resilient and diversified its economy by expanding into other industries like healthcare and higher education. The establishment of institutions like Bates College and hospitals helped to stabilize the region economically and provide new opportunities for its residents.
In recent years, Androscoggin County has experienced revitalization efforts focused on preserving its history and promoting tourism. The area boasts a wealth of historical landmarks, including the Bates Mill complex and various museums, which attract visitors interested in learning about its industrial past. Additionally, the county's natural beauty, with its rivers, parks, and lakes, has made it a popular destination for outdoor recreational activities. Overall, Androscoggin County's history is characterized by industrial growth, cultural diversity, and the ability to adapt to changing economic circumstances.
Androscoggin County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Androscoggin County, Maine.
- 1854 - Androscoggin County is established by the Maine Legislature on March 18
- 1873 - The county seat is moved from Auburn to Lewiston
- 1890 - Bates College is founded in Lewiston
- 19th century - Mills along the Androscoggin River drive the local economy
- 1930s - The textile industry in the county starts to decline
- Late 20th century - Lewiston and Auburn experience a period of economic restructuring
- 2000s - The county focuses on diversifying its economy and promoting tourism