The James P. White House in Belfast, Maine, is among the best Greek Revival style houses in the state. The house was designed by Calvin Ryder, a local architect, and was completed in 1840. White, a Belfast native, was a successful businessman who served for two years as mayor. Later, the house used it as a summer residence and for a time it was a bed & breakfast inn.
I drove through Belfast yesterday morning and swung by the White House because I knew the sun would be in the right location for a good photo. What I didn’t know is that a new owner has erected an 8′ tall, solid, shiny, cheap vinyl fence around the property, blocking the stunning view of the house that has served as a welcome to Belfast for 185 years. I stood on top of my truck to get this photo over the fence.
When I say cheap, I don’t mean inexpensive. I’m sure the incongruous bright white plastic wall was quite expensive. Its quality is cheap, which is its only partially redeeming feature – it won’t last long.
I wrote “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners” to provide professional advice to homeowners, to help them avoid decisions like this one.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Select restoration and preservation titles by other authors are also available in our shop including Virginia McAlester’s classic “A Field Guide to American Houses.”
“Restoring Your Historic House” is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
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