It is historically significant for its association with Matthew Cottrill, an Irish immigrant who was, along with business partner James Kavanagh, a major economic force in Damariscotta, and also a key force in establishing the Roman Catholic church in Maine.

[1] The Matthew Cottrill House stands on the north side of Main Street in downtown Damariscotta.

It is a two-story wood-frame structure, with a low-pitch hip roof, clapboard siding, and a granite foundation.

A long single-story ell, probably built before the current main block, extends the building to the rear.

[2] The ell of the house is believed to have been built about 1760, by members of the locally prominent Chapman family.