Pressey House

Story

The Pressey House is a historic octagon house at 32 Belgrade Road in Oakland, Maine. Built in 1855, it is one of a small number of octagon houses in the state, and one of the only ones with Greek Revival styling. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It currently houses a bed and breakfast inn.Description and historyThe Pressey House is located in Oakland's village center on the south side of Belgrade Road, overlooking the northernmost tip of Messalonskee Lake. Its main block is a two story wood frame octagon, from which an ell extends to the rear, joining it to a barn. All parts are finished in wooden clapboards, and rest on a granite block foundation. The street-facing front facade has pairs of sash windows on each floor, while most of the remaining sides have single sash windows. The main entrance is situated in the angled side just left of the front facade, and is flanked by sidelight windows and Doric pilasters, and is topped by an entablature and cornice.The house was built sometime between 1854 and 1858 by H.T. Pressey, inspired by the works of Orson Squire Fowler, who promoted the design and construction of octagonal houses, which were a fad for about thirty years. Since many were built later in the period of the fad, they tend to have Italianate or Late Victorian features; this one, built during the earlier years of the fad, is unusual for having Greek Revival features.