Bangor’s ‘Thomas Hill House’ Gets New Lawn/Retaining Wall After Huge Trees Removed

Those familiar with Downtown Bangor are undoubtedly familiar with the building that's housed The Bangor Historical Society for 160 years, the Thomas Hill House.

The property, which sits along 159 Union Street, is what's called a "Greek Revival-style" home. It was completed in 1836, the Bangor Historical Society says, for wealthy Bangor businessman, Thomas A. Hill (also associated with another Bangor landmark, the Thomas Hill Standpipe) and designed by the famous architect, Richard Upjohn.

According to the July issue of the Queen City Register the Hill House property" is undergoing its most comprehensive restoration in over a century."

Get our free mobile app

Renovations began in the spring. In April, a pair of gigantic trees, which have stood for over a hundred years along the backdrop of Union Street, were removed from the front lawn.

"Wall renovations for the fence installation revealed that the century-old basswood trees in the front yard of the property were rotten and potentially dangerous to the future of the house resulting in the difficult decision to have them removed."

"While new landscaping will include more appropriately sized and sited trees for the property, curator Matt Bishop notes that the beauty of the house and its architectural features are now more prominent."

After the trees were removed, the entire front yard was dug up, and the retaining wall, which had become uneven and started to bow in places, was leveled, and rebuilt completely, and a large black fence was installed along the perimeter of the property.

"The House really stands out now and you can better appreciate its Greek-revival features. We hope visitors will be drawn to the property as they see the improvements progress.”

The work has been funded by almost $300,000 worth of donations and grants.

The Hill House is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM  to 4 PM.