The 345-year-old Bray House sold at auction for nearly $2 million to an unidentified bidder from New York on March 24. That bidder was Hall, who's a self-proclaimed historic preservationist.
Hall, who grew up in an 18th-century Philadelphia home, said he was alerted to the opportunity by an ad in The Newtown Antiques and Arts Weekly near Millbrook, N.Y., where he's restoring two homes, dating back to 1771 and 1780.
"The word was that the guy I was bidding against was going to do a tear down," Hall said. "That would have been a travesty."
Preservationists were thrilled.
"It's been a landmark for generations and it's certainly very important that (an owner) has been found who will be interested in preservation," said Earle Shettleworth of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Hall, who has renovated a 1740 home in London, said he was surprised by the similarities in construction in his new home. "I'm used to Colonial American houses but I've never seen one as English as this one," he said.
The Bray House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Hall has a history, as well, including several No. 1 hits with his musical collaborator Oates. Some of their better known songs are "Rich Girl," "Kiss On My List," "Private Eyes," "Sarah Smile" and "Maneater."
**I can't get the "Private Eyes" song out of my head since reading this yesterday. I guess it's better than the "Maneater" being stuck in there.
My 59 year old Kittery cottage with free flowers (from nice, nice friend Alecia) in the boxes.
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