Archive for Blog

Gearing up for Opening Day

You’ll notice several other exciting changes when you visit the Mansion this May. Electricians are currently installing a new electronic information screen in the visitor’s center of the Carriage House Museum Shop with easily visible hours, tour information, and upcoming events for guests. The Boy Scouts are also making impressive progress in their project…

Upcoming Victorian & Edwardian Dress Exhibit

This May will be a particularly intriguing month at Victoria Mansion. On May 1, the Mansion officially opens its doors for the 2018 season, featuring a special dress exhibit showcasing women’s fashions from the late 1850s to the late 1910s on loan from our friends at the Dyer…

On the Trail with Victoria Mansion’s Curator

In her never-ending search for information about the history of the Morses, Curator Arlene Schwind recently had a delightful visit in Alexandria, Virginia, with Rex F. Lothrop, the great-grandnephew of Ruggles Morse. She learned about Mr. Lothrop from his nephew, Robert Lipsky, who recently donated original Morse objects…

Revamping the Carriage House Museum Shop

Museum Shop Buyer & Manager Patti Chase, has been hard at work setting up the Carriage House Museum Shop for the upcoming 2018 season. Featured items will include new lines of Victorian jewelry, toiletries, accessories, and apparel, as well as rare and novelty books that delve into different…

Teaming Up With Maine’s Girl Scouts

Victoria Mansion has also proudly served as a Girl Scouts of Maine Community Partner over the past several years. This year, in addition to offering a variety of tours and lessons that tie into Girl Scout ‘Journeys’ and badges, Victoria Mansion has begun a series of informative posts…

Maine’s Boy Scouts Transform the Cistern Room

This spring, the Mansion is pleased to be partnering with Maine’s Boy Scouts. The Cape Elizabeth Boy Scouts are now working in the Mansion’s third floor Cistern Room to transform the space into a dedicated archival storage area, as well as as a place for small meetings and…

Brownstone Progress in Reception Bay

Despite outwardly quiet appearances, the Mansion is humming with activity in the off-season as staff prepares for the burst of work the warm months will bring.  Director Tom Johnson and Assistant Director Tim Brosnihan are working closely with stone expert Ivan Myjer this winter to source brownstone for…

Education in the Off-Season

Despite the doors being closed to the public, Victoria Mansion’s education department has some exciting developments of late. First, we would like to officially introduce our new Director of Education, Stacia Hanscom. Staci has served as the Curator of Education at the William Trent House in Trenton, New…

Volunteering at Victoria Mansion and the Portland History Docent Program

Looking for a fun way to get involved at the Mansion? Volunteers are the backbone of the museum and we are always looking for new folks to create memorable and informative experiences for our visitors. For more information on upcoming training sessions and how to become a member…

Reflecting on the 34th Annual Christmas at Victoria Mansion

As we close the books on another successful year, we’d like to thank all of our fantastic donors, sponsors, and our intrepid team of talented designers who made Christmas at Victoria Mansion possible. Designers for 2017-2018’s  Christmas season, Christmas in the City by the Sea, are: The Saco Festival of Trees Design Committee- Vestibule Dan…