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
Victoria Mansion Awarded Prestigious Save America’s Treasures Grant
We are so pleased to announce Victoria Mansion recently received a $132,050 matching grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) through the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program to finance in part the conservation of the original decoration of the Parlor. This funding will allow conservators to remove over 150 years of soot, grime, and overpaint, stabilize and conserve original finishes and loose elements, and conserve the original Iliad-inspired ceiling canvases that have been off-view for years due to deterioration to reveal the original 1860’s aesthetic of the room for over 30,000 annual international visitors, scholars, AND members like you! Many may be [...]
Reception Suite Conservation Update
Since our last update on the ongoing project to conserve the Mansion's Reception Suite, Executive Director Tom Johnson and Assistant Director Tim Brosnihan joined up with stone conservator Ivan Myjer to investigate the possible sources of brownstone to rebuild the exterior of the badly deteriorated bay window. Large pieces of high-quality brownstone have been difficult to come by since the last quarry providing stone for restoration work closed in 2012. After several years of chasing down leads, it looks like we will have some exciting news to share in the future! Meanwhile, conservators have completed and installed a replica [...]
A Special Visit From Actor Ron Raines
Mansion Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind gave a special tour to celebrity singer and actor Ron Raines when he visited Portland at the end of July. His career spans opera, operetta, musical theater, and television. From 1994 through 2009, he played the nefarious Alan Spaulding on the popular TV show Guiding Light, and earned three Emmy nominations. Raines was nominated for a Tony as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Follies. Other recent Broadway appearances include a run as Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies and Daddy Warbucks in Annie. This summer he performed with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in Blitzstein's Regina, an opera based on [...]
Return of the Red Porcelain!
We are excited to announce that nine pieces of the French porcelain tea service originally owned by Ruggles and Olive Morse have just been generously donated by a descendant of Ruggles's nephew. Last fall, Robert H.L. Lipsky, Ph.D. gave Victoria Mansion a number of wonderful Morse objects, including thirteen pieces from the red service. He subsequently found these additional pieces and shipped them to the Mansion this past week. We are very grateful for this remarkable donation, which Dr. Lipsky makes in memory of his mother, Jean L. Lothrop Lipsky. Dr. Lipsky's great-grandfather, Elias Lane Lothrop, was the nephew of [...]
Allagash Victoria Ale Premiere 2018 Recap
Over 275 guests enjoyed great Allagash ales, mouthwatering food from Noble Barbecue, mead from Maine Mead Works, craft beverages from Green Bee, and live music from the Jason Spooner Band at our annual Allagash Victoria Ale Premiere on June 29. All proceeds, including a generous $11,000 check from Allagash, benefited the Mansion's educational programming and restoration initiatives. Thanks to all who attended and supported this great event! To see more pictures from the night, click HERE. For updates on this and other upcoming events in real time, check out the Upcoming Events page of Victoria Mansion's website.
Adventures in History Middle School Day Camp July 30- August 3, 9:00 a.m- 3:00 p.m. daily
Step back in time with us this summer! Adventures in History campers will have the chance to go behind the scenes at both the Maine Historical Society and Victoria Mansion to learn about material culture and life in the Victorian era through an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor activities, special field trips, and hands-on instruction from experts in historic preservation and traditional arts. At the end of the week, all participants will gather at MHS to share their newfound knowledge and skills in a historian's showcase for family members and guests. After the presentation, families, and campers are encouraged [...]
Victoria Mansion mentioned in People Magazine!
This past May, the Mansion was mentioned in People Magazine's article 'Top 10 New Foodie Cities,' highlighting some great spots around Portland-- including our friends at Allagash Brewing. We look forward to welcoming those new visitors who might not have previously known about the Mansion and saw the article!
Tickets are LIVE for Upcoming Allagash Victoria Ale Premiere June 29!
Join us for tastings of great Allagash ales, mouthwatering food from Noble Barbecue, delicious mead from Maine Mead Works, craft beverages Green Bee, and live music at our annual Allagash Victoria Ale Premiere on June 29. The event takes place on the Mansion's private side lawn from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and includes a complimentary Allagash glass and tours of the Mansion. Tickets are $35 ($28 for Victoria Mansion members!) and all proceeds support the Mansion's education and restoration programs. Click HERE to reserve them now! For updates on this and other upcoming events in real time, check out the Upcoming Events page of Victoria Mansion's website. Thank you [...]
Space Still Available for Upcoming The World in a Cup: Tea in Our Community & Beyond
Join us for this special event on the Mansion's side lawn to learn about teas from around the world and enjoy samples offered by local purveyors Soakology, Nellie's Tea Co., Clipper Merchant Tea House in Bridgton, and the Tea Space in Ogunquit. Self-guided tours of the Mansion will be offered after the talk and tasting. Tickets are $40.00 for the general public and $35.00 for Victoria Mansion members and benefit the Mansion's educational programming. Click HERE to register now!
VM’s Curator to Speak at Winterthur Museum
On May 15, Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind will give a talk at the Winterthur Museum in a conference titled "The Properly Dressed Window: Curtain Design Over Time." Arlene will discuss "The Sumptuous Window Treatments at Victoria Mansion" and show images of the Mansion's remarkable collection of remnants of the original 1860 curtains, valances, and trims. Combined with historic photographs of the Mansion interiors, these examples provide unique documentation of the most sophisticated types of window treatments of the antebellum era. Also speaking at the conference is Natalie Larson, who just addressed our Annual Meeting. After receiving her M.A. in the [...]
Scout’s Mansion Project Featured in Forecaster
Since February, Scarborough Boy Scout and Earle G. Shettleworth Junior Docent Erich Chase and his father Scott Chase have been spearheading a project to revamp Victoria Mansion's Cistern Room into an organized archival and meeting space. The project, by which Erich hopes to earn an Eagle Scout badge, is now nearing its final phases, as the team has built custom shelving, smoothed out uneven floorboards, and painted the room's walls. Forecaster reporter Juliette Laaka recently covered the story for their April edition, which you can read in full HERE. Check back for a final 'unveiling' of the finished project soon!
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 Library/ Saco Museum. Rarely seen historic photographs and additional accessories and costume items from the Mansion collection will also be on view. The exhibit will run the entire month of May, the same hours as the Mansion: Monday-Saturday, 10am-3:45pm Sunday, 1pm-4:45pm. Don't miss this limited-time exhibit! To check out an updated list of Upcoming Events in real time, [...]