The 1803 building needed a lot of repair in 1954 and the newly formed group raised funds and memberships from the surrounding area. Stabilization of the building completed, it was opened as a museum and the many local contributors filled the interior with a great variety of local artifacts; many early maps, some Indian artifacts, donations of furniture, guns, and Calais memorabilia.

The museum functioned by the hard efforts of many members but especially the officers who were the original driving force; Charles S. Livingstone, the first President, Frank Fenderson, John Mc Faul, David Fletcher, Bob Treworgy, Dex Thomas, Cecil Miller, Louis Eaton, Ned Lamb, J. Hinson, Florence Boone, Homer Sargent, Lillian Unobskey, and so many others over the years.

Many summer programs were initiated and the public response was good. However, by 1978 the demographics had changed and the membership dwindled until the Society became inactive and the building became unsafe. The roof leaked, the floor joists gave way, the building was being pulled as the sills rotted and the chimney leaned. It was, , as they say. ready for the wrecking ball.

Charles B. Livingstone, retired to Calais from Paper Mill employment in 1977, drove by the derelict his father had strived to preserve and became totally immersed in the idea that the Cottage could be saved. So with the efforts of a new Board of Directors, local match funding with Maine State Historic Preservation Commission Funds, the building was rehabbed in conformity with State Preservation Standards. All interior woodwork was preserved as were the original windows and much of the plastering. A new foundation for the 8' x 8' chimney and the rebuilding of the 4 fireplaces, faced with original brick, completed the $80,000 preservation of this earliest Calais house.

Membership Plans:

• Supporting - $30
• Family - $20
• Historian - $10
• Corp/Bus - $50
• Life - $500

Please mail checks to:

St. Croix Historical Society
P.O. Box 242
Calais, Maine 04619