In September, the Mansion was awarded a prestigious IMLS grant for the Museums of America program. The grant will partially fund the restoration of the original painted finishes of the walls and ceilings of the Reception Room, part of the only extant architectural commission by artist Giuseppe Guidicini. The project will…
Our second annual “Mourning in the Mansion,” once again captivated crowds with a themed tour about Victorian death practices accompanied by excerpts from Portland Ballet’s production The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The event combined historical information on traditional mourning customs of the nineteenth century, as well as details about…
Visitors to the Mansion are now enjoying an exhibit recently installed by Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind in a new lighted case under the stairs in the back of the stair hall. It features the dazzling silk passementerie (trimmings) that originally embellished the window hangings in the Parlor. Believed…
Museum Shop Manager Patti Chase has been giving visitors a sneak peek and early opportunity to purchase some of the lovely ornaments, decorations, and gifts curated by our buyer Alice Dwyer Ross for this holiday season. Stopping by the Carriage House Museum Shop has become a tradition for…
We are very excited to be hosting the National Garden Club from September 23-25! These talented florists and designers from all over the country will be using the Mansion as their inspiration, creating fresh and dried arrangements to be placed throughout the house. The arrangements will be on…
It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas here at the Mansion! Plans began in March to create a nostalgic wonderland for this year’s Christmas season. Look forward to designs inspired by the illustrious nineteenth-century print-makers and complimenting the Mansion’s original interiors. In addition to the fabulous…
It’s that time of year again when Portland welcomes thousands of international visitors and the cruise ship season kicks into high gear. This year, the city will host 28 ships in September and 18 ships in October, with a and total of 76 cruise ships before the season’s…
Ellen Libby Lawrence, the sole surviving grandchild of J.R. Libby, visited the Mansion in late August with her son Franklin, a former Mansion trustee. A generous supporter of Victoria Mansion for decades, Ellen has donated original Morse and Libby objects and provided information about the Libby family that…
Last Thursday, August 4th, Mansion staff and docents enjoyed a lovely sunset cruise on Casco Bay. It was just a small way to thank everyone for all the great work they do. We are hoping to make it a new Mansion tradition! If you are interested in joining…
The Mansion was recently featured in the New York Times article, “36 Hours in Portland, Maine” on July 28th. We are in fantastic company with the Portland Museum of Art, the Wadsworth Longfellow House, Central Provisions, and Becky’s Diner, to name a few. We are looking forward to…