Healey Asylum
a.k.a. Intown Manor
81 Ash St., Lewiston, MEIn 1878, the Reverend Peter Hevey, a native of Saint-Barnabe-Sud, P.Q., and pastor of St. Peter's Church in Lewiston, requested that the Grey Sisters of Charity of Saint-Hyacinthe come to Lewiston to run the local parochial school. Since the work involved would also include making home visits to the poor and the sick of the parish, the religious community accepted Father Hevey's invitation. On November 20th of that year, the first Grey Sisters to be assigned to Lewiston arrived at their new apostolic post. The next day a religious house was dedicated to them and was named "Our Lady of Lourdes Asylum". When, on December 3rd, the Sisters opened their school for the first time, they were greeted by two hundred enthusiastic boys and girls.
Three years later, Father Hevey, eager to assure his parishioners of the perpetual service of French-speaking priests, relinquished his parish in favor of the Dominican Fathers. The first Dominican pastor, Father Mothon, took an early interest in the school. Up to this point, classes had been held in two houses (on the corner of Pierce and Walnut streets) which constituted Our Lady of Lourdes Asylum, but the students now numbered 370. The location was no longer suitable. Father Mothon thus decided to have a large building, known as the Dominican Block, erected on Lincoln Street to serve both as a school and as a place for parish meetings. By January 1883, there were over 650 children, from the ages of 6 to 13, attending the Sisters' school.
In 1892, however, the Grey Sisters informed the Dominicans that they had decided to give up their work in parochial schools. They would stay on only until a teaching order could be found to take charge of the children. The people of Lewiston, faced with the possible departure of a number of these much-respected and much-loved nuns, proposed that they stay to minister to the needs of the many orphaned boys in the area. The Sisters already received orphan girls at their hospital; why not now receive orphan boys in a separate home? Monsignor Healy of Portland approved and encouraged this idea. As a result, the Grey Sisters accepted the responsibility of this new task which was in keeping with the spirit and laws of their religious community.
As early as 1892, construction was begun on Ash Street, on land given some years before by Father Hevey, and on September 4, 1893, a large, solid, comfortable building named after Msgr. Healey received the nuns and the forty young orphan boys left in their charge, Sister Rhesume, the first Superior, and six other nuns devoted themselves to the efficient operation of this institution, which was named the "Healy Asylum" in honor of the Bishop of Portland. Young, orphaned, and destitute boys were not lacking in this area or its surroundings--- children whose lives had been touched by tragedy but who were now permitted to blossom in the warm and healthy atmosphere of this new charitable institution. As long as the location permitted it, the Sisters also held kindergarten classes which the very young children attended several hours each day.
The Healy Asylum during its nearly seventy years of operation as a charitable institution did much to alleviate suffering in Lewiston and was also a powerful force in maintaining the ethnic identity of the city's large Franco-American population.
Jefferson Lake Coburn (1835-1917), architect of the Healy Asylum, was a well-known figure in Lewiston both professionally and because of a colorful Civil War career which he described in several articles published in The Maine Bugle. Among the buildings in the city designed by him are the Osgood Building on Lisbon Street and the James C. Lord House (N.R. 7/21/78). His design for the Healy Asylum is a distinguished application of the Mansard style to an institutional structure.
The building is now a residence for senior citizens.
Local significance of the building:
Three years later, Father Hevey, eager to assure his parishioners of the perpetual service of French-speaking priests, relinquished his parish in favor of the Dominican Fathers. The first Dominican pastor, Father Mothon, took an early interest in the school. Up to this point, classes had been held in two houses (on the corner of Pierce and Walnut streets) which constituted Our Lady of Lourdes Asylum, but the students now numbered 370. The location was no longer suitable. Father Mothon thus decided to have a large building, known as the Dominican Block, erected on Lincoln Street to serve both as a school and as a place for parish meetings. By January 1883, there were over 650 children, from the ages of 6 to 13, attending the Sisters' school.
In 1892, however, the Grey Sisters informed the Dominicans that they had decided to give up their work in parochial schools. They would stay on only until a teaching order could be found to take charge of the children. The people of Lewiston, faced with the possible departure of a number of these much-respected and much-loved nuns, proposed that they stay to minister to the needs of the many orphaned boys in the area. The Sisters already received orphan girls at their hospital; why not now receive orphan boys in a separate home? Monsignor Healy of Portland approved and encouraged this idea. As a result, the Grey Sisters accepted the responsibility of this new task which was in keeping with the spirit and laws of their religious community.
As early as 1892, construction was begun on Ash Street, on land given some years before by Father Hevey, and on September 4, 1893, a large, solid, comfortable building named after Msgr. Healey received the nuns and the forty young orphan boys left in their charge, Sister Rhesume, the first Superior, and six other nuns devoted themselves to the efficient operation of this institution, which was named the "Healy Asylum" in honor of the Bishop of Portland. Young, orphaned, and destitute boys were not lacking in this area or its surroundings--- children whose lives had been touched by tragedy but who were now permitted to blossom in the warm and healthy atmosphere of this new charitable institution. As long as the location permitted it, the Sisters also held kindergarten classes which the very young children attended several hours each day.
The Healy Asylum during its nearly seventy years of operation as a charitable institution did much to alleviate suffering in Lewiston and was also a powerful force in maintaining the ethnic identity of the city's large Franco-American population.
Jefferson Lake Coburn (1835-1917), architect of the Healy Asylum, was a well-known figure in Lewiston both professionally and because of a colorful Civil War career which he described in several articles published in The Maine Bugle. Among the buildings in the city designed by him are the Osgood Building on Lisbon Street and the James C. Lord House (N.R. 7/21/78). His design for the Healy Asylum is a distinguished application of the Mansard style to an institutional structure.
The building is now a residence for senior citizens.
Architecture; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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 once a major shipbuilding center: In the 19th century, Maine was one of the world's leading shipbuilding centers, producing thousands of wooden ships that sailed around the world. Many of the old shipyards can still be seen along the coast today.
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