Other Sights

Ruggles House

Built around 1818 by lumber magnate Thomas Ruggles, the Ruggles House (146 Main St., Columbia Falls, 207/483-4637, www.ruggleshouse.org [1], 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun. June–mid-Oct., $5 adults, $2 children 6–12, free children under 6) is one of the best examples of Federal-style architecture in the region, if not the country. Highlights of the restored mini-mansion include the flying staircase in the entry hall and Palladian window upstairs; over half the furniture inside was owned by the Ruggles family.

Burnham Tavern

Shortly after the battles of Concord [2] and Lexington [3], enterprising Mainers seized the British ship Margaretta, in what is considered the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War. The patriots gathered to plot their mission at Burnham Tavern (Rte. 192, one block off Rte. 1, Machias, 207/255-6930, www.burnhamtavern.com [4], 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Sat. mid-June–Sept., $5 adults, $0.25 children under 12), now a museum telling the story of the encounter.

Raye’s Mustard Mill

Blueberries aren’t the only culinary specialty of the region. Now 100 years old, Raye’s Mustard Mill (83 Washington St., Rte. 190, Eastport, 207/853-4451 or 800/853-1903, www.rayesmustard.com [5], 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, tours 1–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri. and sometimes Sat.) is the last U.S. producer using traditional “cold grind” techniques that preserves the subtle aromatics of seeds and spices. Tours take in the milling process and offer a chance to sample one of 15 varieties.