ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth is pleased to announce that the downtown district of Ellsworth has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nomination paperwork was created in 2025 and underwent full review by a committee formed by Heart of Ellsworth, including representatives from the Ellsworth Historical Society, the City of Ellsworth Historic Preservation Commission, local architects and subject matter experts. Committee members included Betsy Arntzen, Jen Sala, Carla Haskell, David Askins and Maria Ikwugwalu and was led by retained consultant Clarisa Diaz. The nomination, including extensive research, was prepared by Kleinfelder, a consulting firm hired by Heart of Ellsworth.
In December the nomination was submitted to the Maine State Historic Preservation Office and approved at the state level during their February meeting. At that time, the application was advanced for federal designation.
The federal designation is a non-regulatory designation that offers historic tax credits for building owners and supports preservation of the district’s historic character. Building improvements are governed by city ordinances, separate from the federal designation.
The project was originally funded by a federal grant that was rescinded in May 2025. The project quickly regained momentum through sponsorship from First National Bank, Renewal by Andersen, City of Ellsworth and other community donations. Because of their support, along with the commitment of community members invested in preserving the integrity of Ellsworth’s buildings, the project was able to continue to completion.
“This designation is a meaningful milestone for Ellsworth and a reflection of years of community-driven effort to recognize and preserve the historic character of our downtown,” said Cara Romano, executive director of Heart of Ellsworth. “We are incredibly grateful to the many partners, funders, and community members who helped bring this project to fruition. This designation not only honors our past, but also positions Ellsworth for future investment and revitalization that respects the integrity of our historic buildings while supporting a vibrant and evolving downtown.”
Community engagement in historic preservation activities in Ellsworth has spanned several years, including a workshop series hosted by Heart of Ellsworth for building and business owners in 2023. Maine Preservation was retained as topic experts to lead the three-part workshop series held at the Ellsworth Public Library. Additionally, building owners were encouraged to provide feedback on the nomination process, and over 50 community members participated in a walking tour highlighting the 38 contributing buildings within the designated commercial historic district.
“This designation is an important step in strengthening Ellsworth’s downtown as an economic and cultural center,” said City Manager Charlie Pearce. “It creates new opportunities for investment, supports our local property owners through access to historic tax credits, and reinforces the value of preserving the character that makes Ellsworth unique. This designation reflects both the historic importance of our downtown and our commitment to its future. We’re grateful for the partnership with Heart of Ellsworth and the many contributors who helped bring this effort to completion.”
The national designation is a key component in positioning Ellsworth for continued economic and cultural growth. Ellsworth was designated a Main Street America Community in 2024, joining a national network of locally driven programs committed to strengthening downtowns through economic vitality, historic preservation, and community-based revitalization.
For more on Heart of Ellsworth’s historic preservation efforts, visit
https://www.heartofellsworth.org/historic-preservation.
