History of the Chamberlain House While Joshua L. Chamberlain was
certainly an intriguing man, the building that was his home for
over 50 years has many interesting stories to tell as well. 1824
– 1859 The building now known as the Joshua L. Chamberlain
Museum was most likely built by Jesse Pierce sometime between
when Pierce acquired the original lot in 1824 and when he lost
it to creditors in 1829. The lot was split into parcels, and 4
Potter Street was then purchased by Mary Ann Fales in 1830. At
this time, the house was a simple 2-story cape. Fales rented
rented out 3 room of the building to Bowdoin College professor
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow before it was sold in 1836. After a
series of owners, another Bowdoin College professor–Joshua L.
Chamberlain–started renting the home in 1856. Three years later,
Chamberlain purchased the building from his landlord for $2,100.
1859 – 1871 The Chamberlain House began its life located further
west down Potter Street and not where it now stands at the
corner of Potter