The Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) was founded in 1954 by noted local artist Mildred Burrage. Our mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the history of Lincoln County, Maine, which once extended from Brunswick to Canada. Key to our work is the stewardship of three historic buildings: the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, the 1811 Old Jail in Wiscasset, and the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta.

The 1811 Old Lincoln County Jail in Wiscasset, with attached 1839 Jailer’s House, offers visitors a rare view into an earlier criminal justice system and the lives of the people who enforced and endured it.

From 1820 to 1824 the Jail also served as the penitentiary for the new State of Maine. Lincoln County housed prisoners here until 1913 and continued to hold prisoners here on court days until 1953. Trained docents conduct tours throughout the summer. To schedule a tour during the off-season contact 207-882-6817.