Archive for News

February Reception Suite Conservation Update

Conservators continue to clean the painted walls and ceiling of the Reception Suite, with its elaborate combinations of flat and molded plaster, canvas paintings and woodwork. The paint is water-based, so no aqueous substances can be used in cleaning. As the conservators proceed with the careful dry cleaning…

A Victorian Sampling: Historical Food Tasting at the Maine Irish Heritage Center

On Tuesday, March 14, Victoria Mansion and the Maine Irish Heritage Center will present A Victorian Sampling, a special 19th century tasting event for members only. Small bites of breads, appetizers, soups, and desserts, along with beverages, will be accompanied by a brief history of each dish and insight into why…

Become a Portland History Docent!

If you’ve ever considered being a volunteer at Victoria Mansion, now is a great time t o s ign up for Portland History Docents. This ten week program gives participants insight into Portland’s fascinating history and the opportunity to tour some of the landmarks that make this cit…

2nd Annual Docent Art Show

Friday, December 2, Victoria Mansion hosted its second annual volunteer and staff art show in conjunction with Portland’s monthly First Friday Art Walk. The gallery exhibit in the second floor of the Carriage House featured a variety of work by seven of our docents. Oil paintings, water colors, photography, mixed…

Christmas Gala 2016 Recap

This year’s annual Christmas Gala, held on November 30, offered a combination of cherished traditions  with a few new features to delight the over 225 guests that attendend. Along with previewing the recently started conservation work in the Reception Room, guests enjoyed food generously donated by the Cumberland Club,…

A Currier & Ives Christmas at Victoria Mansion Music Boxes For Sale in the Museum Shop

No Christmas visit to Victoria Mansion is complete without perusing our museum shop. This year we are offering custom, limited edition Currier & Ives themed music boxes for $24.95. For the perfect, unique gift for friends and family, look no further than the Carriage House Museum Shop. Merchandise…

Curator to Lecture in New York City

Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind will present a lecture to the Victorian Society New York  on Thursday, December 15, which will be held at the English Speaking Union.  Titled “Giuseppe Guidicini: New York Opera Houses and Theatres,” her talk will explore the role of the Mansion’s artist in creating…

Reception Suite Conservation Begins!

Work is already underway on our most ambitious interior conservation effort yet undertaken in the Mansion. With every inch of the walls and ceilings elaborately decorated, the Reception Suite is arguably the most impressive space in the house. In preparation for the paint conservation project,  we have taken away…

2016: Our Biggest Visitation Year So Far By a Landslide!

As we gear up for our 33rd Christmas season, we reflect on the incredible growth in admissions and development in 2016 thus far. We have already seen a total of 27,346 people this year from May 1 to October 31, an increase of about 22% or 6,500 people…

Director of Education & Visitor Services Lucinda Hannington to Speak at Portland Ballet’s Victorian Nutcracker

This year, as part of Victoria Mansion’s expanded partnership with Portland Ballet, Director of Education & Visitor Services Lucinda Hannington will be speaking to audiences at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center and Merrill Auditorium prior to productions of the Victorian Nutcracker on December 17, 18, and 23. The…