News
Find out what’s going on at Victoria Mansion and learn more about the collection in these posts and by joining our mail and e-newsletter lists.
Featured Articles
Middle School Summer Camp
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 to the Portland Forge and Western Cemetery, instruction in painting and photography, and the chance to make several food dishes using traditional techniques. The program will conclude with a presentation to campers' families, showcasing what they learned and produced.The camp will run July 18-22. For [...]
Join us TONIGHT, June 17 at the Mansion for the Release Party for Allagash Brewing’s 2016 Victoria Ale
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 free tastings of Allagash ales and other local beverages, great food, live music by the Jason Spooner Band, and tours of Victoria Mansion. Tickets are only $35 ($28 for Victoria Mansion members), and include a souvenir commemorative Allagash glass. All event proceeds benefit Victoria Mansion. [...]
A Window into Conservation
In May, key supporters and former trustees were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at our textile conservation project by Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind and Conservator Siobhan Lindsay. With the support of a prestigious grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, Arlene and Siobhan have been working to create an archival storage and research space on the Mansion's third floor to house our incomparable collection. This project is expected to be completed in October and a behind-the-scenes members event will follow.
Gaslight League Dances the Night Away
Last Friday evening, the Gaslight League hosted their first off-site event in partnership with the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association. Founded in 1815 as a craftsman's guild to teach and promote excellence among Portland's mechanical and artistic trades, the Association boasts one of the city's best kept secrets in its hall on Congress Street - a 3,000 square foot, third floor ballroom designed by John Calvin Stevens with soaring ceilings and impressive views of the city skyline. See more photos and even a video of Gaslight Leaguers enjoying themselves by visiting the Gaslight League Facebook page. If you know of other [...]
Broadway on the Stairway a Hit!
Thanks in large part to the vision and determination of our events sub-committee and new board member Aaron Morris, our recent Broadway on the Stairway celebration was an unqualified hit! With wonderful performances by Julia Furtado, Thomas Smallwood, and Jennifer Miller accompanied by Jason Weber on piano, the Mansion was filled with the sounds of the best-loved tunes from The Great White Way. Taking us back to the 1930s and '40s, Furtado, Smallwood, Miller, and Weber brought favorites to life - everything from South Pacific to Porgy and Bess. The event was a wonderful celebration of the Mansion's 75th anniversary as a [...]
Theme Tours!
This season the museum is offering a new kind of tour. On the first and third Tuesday of each month during the regular season, members of staff will lead specialized theme tours focusing on one particular element of the house or using the Mansion as a jumping off point to explore a broader historical topic. The next theme tour, May 17th, The Libbys at Home, will be led by Executive Director Tom Johnson and will be based on writings by Mary Louise Libby Chamberlain. June's tours will be on servant life in the 19th century, and restoration projects at the [...]
Mansion Named Best Historic House Museum by Yankee Magazine
We are thrilled to kick off our 75th season as a museum with the honor of being named Maine's Best Historic House Museum in Yankee Magazine's Best of New England issue. In a region known for celebrating history through historic house museums, the fact that Victoria Mansion's dedication to preservation is being recognized should make each and every one of our members and friends proud to be a part of this work. Thank you for helping us get here and for sharing your passion for the Mansion.