The Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Building was completed in 1891 - 20 years after the incorporation of the Association. Previously, the Regiment held its annual reunions in various locations around the State. However, after the War, Brigadier General William Miltmore McArthur, a Regiment commander, won over $75,000 from the Louisiana State Lottery. He used $8,000 of his winnings to construct the building, so the women and children would not have to continue to suffer the hardships of camping in tents. Thus, five years of service in the War gave life to an Association that is preparing to celebrate its 133th annual reunion.

The building was designed in classic Queen Anne cottage style by Fassett & Thompson and was erected in 1891. It is the first structure known to use steel rods to suspend the second floor from the framing of the post and beam superstructure (Belgian frame construction). The lumber was precut to architectural specifications, loaded on barges and shipped 36 miles from Damariscotta to Peaks Island. It was landed in the cove in front of the building and thereafter the cove was known as Wood Landing.

The facility is maintained in its original late 1800's style. It consists of 3 floors with a four-story tower on the ocean side of the structure. There is a wide veranda running completely around the main floor of the structure that serves as roofing for portions of the dining room and annex hallway.

The main entrance leads to a 40' x 80' recreation hall complete with cane rockers, fireplace, Ping-Pong table, card tables, puzzle tables, and piano. The unique suspension architecture of the building allows this large area to be completely free of supporting pillars. This allowed 8 squares to be on the floor during weekly Contra-Dances. The Association was duly proud to be "a proper dancing facility" for the members and their guests.

There is also a small business office in the lower tower area complete with reading chairs, lamps and a phone. The men's room with a shower and our museum room are also located on this floor.

The lower level houses the residents' dining, refrigeration and kitchen facilities along with a reading lounge, a half bath, and 3 bedrooms.

The upper floor has 11 bedrooms, two porches - one on the inland side, one on the seaside, and an upper tower bedroom. It also houses the ladies room with a shower and claw foot bathtub.

Officers/Directors/Representatives for 2006:

Ronald D. Adams, President

Langdon Adams, Vice President

Stephen S. Adams, Treasurer

Cindy Quirk, Secretary

Projects:

Capital Fund Drive: 10 Year Plan to Raise $250,000 for Building Maintenance

Annual Raffle: Contributes Funds for Preserving Our Historical Records