May 15th - Lewiston's McGillicuddy Building to Be Recognized with Historic Preservation Award

Lewiston, Maine - Historic preservation in Lewiston will be celebrated on May 15th, as the City’s Historic Preservation Review Board will host its annual awards ceremony in observance of National Preservation Month.  Bill Clifford, Board Chair, will recognize Jamey Pittman, owner of The McGillicuddy Building located at 133 Lisbon Street, at a 4:00 p.m. ceremony at Lewiston City Hall, 27 Pine Street – first floor Council Chambers.   A site visit and viewing of renovated space at 133 Lisbon Street (corner of Lisbon/Ash) will occur after the ceremony.  After many years of disrepair and limited occupancy,  the building today has been significantly renovated by Pittman into a mixed-use structure consisting of a sandwich shop, retail space, and eight dwelling units.

Each year, in observance of National Preservation Month, the City of Lewiston’s Historic Preservation Review Board recognizes preservation efforts made in the community, advocating that highlighting efforts made to preserve historic structures/places helps others understand the importance of saving history.  National Preservation Month outreach and the City of Lewiston’s Historic Preservation Review Board celebration raise awareness about the ability historic preservation has to protect and enhance historic communities and neighborhoods. Such preservation is touted as enhancing  a sense of community, energizing local economies, and renewing existing resources.

Known as the “McGillicuddy Block,” the structure was built in 1895 by John McGillicuddy.  McGillicuddy came to the United States in 1846 from Ireland, married Ellen Byrnes, and had four children. One of the boys, Daniel T., was an attorney and was elected Mayor of Lewiston in 1902.  He also served three terms in the United States Congress.  Daniel’s law office was located in the “McGillicuddy Block” from 1895 until 1930.  His law partner was Frank A. Morey, grandfather of the late Frank M. Coffin, a noted federal judge in Portland.  The property was owned by the McGillicuddy family from 1872 until 1960 when Anne Wiseman, John’s granddaughter, sold it to a realty company.  Over the years, the building has housed a number of other attorneys, to include Brann & Isaacson, Alton Lessard, Thomas Delahanty, and Charles Pomeroy.  Other tenants included Phillips Shoe Company, several music teachers, insurance companies, and jeweler Louis Nolin.

The building was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1986.