This National Historic Landmark was built in 1833 for a ship captain named James Hall. But its namesake is James G. Blaine, the home’s second owner. His long political career as a Republican began at the Maine House of Representatives, included being a Speaker of the U. S. House and U. S. Senator, the U.S. Secretary of State and twice was a presidential nominee. In 1881, he was walking beside James Garfield when the 20th U.S. President was assassinated. In 1919, The Blaine House was donated to Maine as the governor’s mansion.