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1730 Harbor
Crest History
The
Harbor Crest was long known as the Mercer Mansion. The property
was also known as the Richard Adams House, The Cadwallader
Place, Dinah’s Hill and most recently the home of Rear Admiral
and Mrs. Eliot Olsen, and now the 1730 Harbor Crest.
The history of Harbor Crest is in four parts, corresponding to
the architectural changes. Built in the 1730’s, the house was
originally owned by Richard Adams (1715-1745) and his brother
John Adams (1713-1758). It was located on the present lot, close
to York Street. The original structure was a typical early
eighteenth-century York dwelling consisting of a “two-over-two”
layout, that is, two rooms on each of two floors extending the
full depth of the house and separated by a massive central
chimney. Numerous examples of this style survive in York; it
appears to have been far more common than the cape style.
Although the most significant remodeling of this house did not
take place until 1899, there is evidence of more modest
“modernization” in the mid-nineteenth century. This too typifies
the architectural history of the town of York; though the town
has few complete houses in the Greek Revival style, one finds
many eighteenth-century houses that were partially or entirely
remodeled in that style. Such examples being the Alexander Rulman
House and the Josiah Gilman House, both on York Street in the
Village.
Typically the windows were enlarged, and some interior woodwork
was replaced. In this case, it is likely that the front
stairways, some door mantels, and other woodwork date from this
period, as well as the thicker outside wall of the east bedroom.
The 1876 Centennial prompted a revival of interest in the
colonial era, and owners and architects began to rediscover the
surviving architecture of the eighteenth century. Meticulous
restoration, as we know it today, was not, however, the fashion
in the late nineteenth century. Architects sought to enhance
the old structures, and took considerable liberties in doing so;
thus the “Colonial Revival” was born. The evolution of the
simple Adams House into the Mercer Mansion exemplifies this
process, and the result was a striking example of Colonial
Revival style, encompassing and transforming the basic
structure.
Henry C. Mercer of Doylestown, Pennsylvania was a well-known
anthropologist and archaeologist (he probably provided the
unusual tiles for the parlor fireplaces). Using services of the
prolific York architect and builder E.B. Blaisdell, Mercer had
the Adams House moved back from the street to the crest of the
rising lot and made it the center of a spacious summer “cottage’
in what was then simply called the “Colonial” style. The major
additions included a central portico with columns rising two
stories, covered verandahs extending to either side, a kitchen
and service ell complete with carriage house, and probably the
large living room at the rear of the main house. A new roofline
including hipped dormers created a usable third story. Although
the newspaper cut is an architect’s rendering, surviving
photographs indicate that this design was essentially the one
executed.
The Henry Mercers were friends of the John Cadwalladers who
owned the cottage next door; in many ways it resembled the
Mercers’. Mrs. Cadwallader later purchased the Mercer Mansion
and called it “Dinah’s Hill”. Because the building remains
essentially as it was remodeled in 1899, the historic name
remains, correctly the Mercer Mansion.
The period following World War II saw the wane of the great
summer cottage and the gracious style of living that this
creation was intended to house. The large buildings became
expensive and impractical, even for summer use. At Bar Harbor,
for example, some of the cottages had already been torn down
prior to the 1947 fire which destroyed a majority of those
remaining. York Harbor had no such disaster, and many fine
examples survived to be restored. But in the 1940’s there was no
market for them, and many fell into disrepair.
Ownership of the Mercer Mansion remained in the Cadwallader
family until September of 1950, at which time if was sold the
Christiana M. McGinnis of York, a real estate broker. It is
reasonable to assume that the house was at that time in poor
condition, that Mrs. McGinnis purchased it as an investment, and
that she was responsible for the major remodeling that took
place within the next four years. By the 1950’s a trend had
begun to convert summer cottages for year-round use, such
conversions continue to be made in York today.
The 1951-1955 remodeling included the removal of the columned
portico with its peaked roof and triangular gable window. The
projecting entryway and the enclosed sunroom above it, which had
been contained within the portico, were now topped with a plain
shed roof. The front verandahs were entirely removed, leaving
only the enclosed portion at the west end. The windows of the
ell were replaced with oversized double-hung sash with heavy
muntins. At this time this house was equipped with modern
plumbing and heating systems. In December of 1956, the Eliot
Olsens purchased the property.
Before condemning the modifications which so greatly reduced the
visual impact of this fine Colonial Revival building, it is
important to bear in mind that restoration as we know it today
was then in its infancy, largely restricted to museum projects.
The building trades attracted few young people and even the
skilled tradesmen of the day generally followed the fashion and
tried to modernize and simplify old buildings, using stock
materials and product.
In 2005, the Dominguez family purchased the Mercer Mansion. They
have revitalized the fascinating mixture of periods and style in
the building and restored the original design while treating the
house with the dignity and respect it deserves. For example, the
outstanding paneled wall of the west bedroom retains some of the
appearance of the early eighteenth century Adams homestead.
The Dominguez family has a heritage of Innkeeping, owning and
revitalizing the celebrated York Harbor
Inn just down the street since 1980. The Dominguez’s have
carefully transformed the Mercer Mansion into an historic Inn
and renamed it the 1730 Harbor Crest for its prime location in
the seaside village of York. By refurbishing seven unique guest
rooms, and adding private baths, the architectural heritage of
the home can be witnessed and enjoyed by modern day visitors.
The common areas of the grand house, the parlor and dining room
are perfect for gatherings of families or small private groups.
In fact, 1730 Harbor Crest can be reserved in its entirety for a
special occasion, a small wedding party or even an important
business retreat of VIPs.
The Dominguez family is pleased to add this tremendously
historic building to its family of Inns including the
York Harbor Inn,
Harbor Hill Inn and
Harbor Cliffs Bed & Breakfast.
York Harbor Inn
Coastal Route 1A (P.O. Box 573)
York Harbor, ME 03911
Tel: 207-363-5119
• Fax: 207-363-7151
Reservations: 800-343-3869
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