SAVE ME. AUTHENTIC TAVERN DéCOR

I took a drive on a rural road in Maine to find a tavern that may or may not exist still. Cushman Tavern, built 1825, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It sits on the town lines of Lisbon and Sabbatus, Maine. Due the condition and citing a safety hazard both towns have signed on to a demolition order. That was six months ago.

The story I had read indicated this Federal style house had a unique feature inside. There were hand painted murals throughout the interior. Not graffiti, but frescoes from 1827. They were painted by Orison Wood an Auburn, Maine artist that pitched the décor enhancement to Captain Samuel Cushman as a driver to increase occupancy at his inn with the traveling public.

Waze brought me to the location. I was happy to see it's still there! Under appreciated with vinyl siding but the stature still intact. Of course it was posted with a DANGEROUS PROPERTY -- DO NOT ENTER sign. But at least I could document the exterior. This was the first shot. From the road you would not know the door is ajar.

It was windy and that crappy storm door literally opened on its own as I approached the entrance. I could peek inside without actually entering. I did not expect I would get to see the murals.

But just inches from the front door I got my first view of the 192 year old décor project! As I reached in with my iPhone I angled it around the door and then I got an awesome view of the frescoes.

And then with just another quarter inch turn of my wrist:

Would someone with the bucks please save this property?

Contact Maine Preservation: https://www.mainepreservation.org