Portland Museum

Squire Jacob Earick House

One of the first homes in Portland

The Squire Earick house is believed to have been built in 1811 or 1812. It is the oldest home in Portland.
Squire Earick was the Portland Magistrate and his court was held in his home. The basement was used a jail.

Restoration

The Squire Earick House is located on 34th Street in the Portland Neighborhood. Studies are being done on all facets of this homes construction. Paint samples, and wallpaper samples are being used to date the times of decoration. The method of building this home is also being studied.
It appears that this home was built by "Timber Framing", which is the way that homes were built in the early days. Not too many people know how to build in this manner, it is quick becoming a lost art.

Update 5/10/08

The Portland Museum will begin another phase in the restoration of the Squire Earick house this summer. The restoration is being paid for through Save America's Treasures and other grant providers--all the different organizations involved with this funding have to be consulted and give their approval for any work conducted at the Squire Earick house. It is a slow process but is steadily moving forward.