A lot happens behind closed doors in the off-season! Since last year, the Mansion has been lucky to retain the services of Harper Batsford, a trained Collections Maintenance Technician. Harper has been going from room to room, intensively cleaning the hard to reach nooks and crannies of the house, including the intricate perforated frieze work [...]
Victoria Mansion is pleased to have a pure-dye silk taffeta dress and jacket ensemble from our collection featured in the Maine Historical Society's current exhibition, World War I and the Maine Experience. The exhibition, which opened February 3 and runs through early June, celebrates the centennial of America's entrance in World War I, specifically honoring [...]
Closed to the public doesn't mean that there's down time here at the Mansion. This off-season over 550 students from area schools will be coming to participate in the Mansion's interdisciplinary programs, free of charge. This year elementary students in Scarborough, Windham-Raymond, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, and the Levey Day School will benefit from A Century [...]
Conservators are now finishing the cleaning and stabilization of the Reception Suite ceiling. Next they will coat the surface with a removable barrier varnish to protect the original paint while also allowing for future conservation efforts to take place. Once the varnish is in place, in-painting of areas with damaged paint can begin. Many of [...]
The Mansion recently completed a major project of creating a dedicated textiles storage and study room. A prestigious grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, awarded in 2014, helped fund the project to transform the former third-floor trunk room into a modern space where our unique collection of original textiles can be stored [...]
Victoria Mansion is pleased to serve as a Girl Scouts of Maine Community Partner. Girl Scouts are able to visit the Mansion for specially tailored tours and activities that will help them on their way to completing their Journeys and receiving patches and badges. Programs are available for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Seniors interested in [...]
Work on the Reception Room is advancing swiftly! Conservators are now cleaning over a century and a half of grime off the surfaces of the room's walls and ceilings. Using latex sponges similar to those used to treat fire damage, conservators are able to remove fine, often sticky dust particles without removing the paint itself. [...]
As we close the doors on our 33rd Christmas season, we express our gratitute to all who supported, visited, and expressed interest in the work that we do here at the Mansion in 2016. We were pleased with the response from visitors, the ample media coverage, and of course the talented designers that made A [...]
This July, Victoria Mansion is partnering with Maine Historical Society to offer a day camp for middle school students. Campers will learn about what goes on behind the scenes at a museum as well as social and artistic practices of the nineteenth century. In addition to the two host sites, there will be trips [...]
A Belgian-style ale brewed with white wine grapes in the mash, Victoria Ale presents a complex flavor with subtle herbal and vinous notes. Part of the proceeds from the brew's annual limited release are donated to benefit Victoria Mansion's historic preservation and education mission. Held outdoors on the Mansion's private lawn, the event includes [...]
