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
Christmas Comes Early for Mansion Collections
Victoria Mansion was recently the lucky recipient of some remarkable objects originally owned by the house's first owners, Ruggles and Olive Morse. The generous gifts of Dr. Robert H.L. Lipsky, the great-great grandnephew of Ruggles, which include two objects currently on view during the Christmas season, are among the highlights of our year. In the Parlor, in the center of the circular ottoman, is a bronze-patinated spelter statue of "Lorelei" by Friedrich Wilhelm Engelhard (pictured above). Dated 1852, the figure is after the sculptor's marble version that was exhibited at London's Crystal Palace in 1851. Lorelei was a legendary nymph [...]
Christmas at Victoria Mansion in the Media
The Mansion enjoyed great coverage on a variety of platforms this holiday season. On November 24 as we officially opened to the public, AJ and Nikki from 94.9 WHOM dressed in Victorian garb for a live broadcast to kick off the season. Listeners were treated to a behind-the-scenes play by play as we prepared the house for the eager crowds. Our friends at WGME came to visit several times to cover different aspects of Christmas at Victoria Mansion as part of their Hometown Holidays series, including Stories on the Staircase, where the Mansion's youngest visitors are treated to a story hour, and an interview with Assistant Director Tim Brosnihan on [...]
Victoria Mansion Christmas Gala 2017 Recap
On Wednesday, November 29, 2017, the Mansion welcomed over 200 people to our annual Christmas Gala. Guests enjoyed signature drinks, fabulous hors d'oeuvres, and viewed the incredible decorations by our talented designers for this year's theme of 'Christmas in the City by the Sea.' One of our biggest fundraisers of the year, the Gala raised over $10,000 to support the Mansion's preservation and educational programs. Thanks to our patrons for underwriting the event costs, the Cumberland Club for generously donating the food, Valet4ME, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, and of course, our guests for making it such a special night! [...]
A Very Fond Farewell to Two Valued Staff Members
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of two longtime members of the Victoria Mansion family. Our Director of Education & Visitor Services, Lucinda Hannington has decided to step down from her position after 5 years to pursue long-neglected historical research and writing projects. As many know, Lucinda has expertly trained countless docents, led hundreds of student tours from preschool to college, and keeps current the house's interpretation to the public. She has also successfully instituted a wide variety of educational programs and events, including the biennial, ever popular Victorian Fair. Coincidentally, Sam Heck, our Director of Development for [...]
Christmas with Mr. Dickens Recap
On Saturday, December 2, 2017, attendees delighted in dramatic readings of Charles Dickens' holiday classics by British actor, Andrew Harris. Mr. Harris performed selections from A Christmas Carol, The Pickwick Papers, and The Chimes among other notable works, demonstrating Dickens' effect on Christmas in the 19th century and as we know it today. After the readings, guests perused the Mansion decked out in holiday splendor. Mr. Harris has been active in professional theater and theater education for over forty years, including projects with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The National Theatre and The Globe London. He is currently the Artistic & Executive Director of Deertrees Theatre [...]
The Mansion Featured in Boston Magazine
We were so pleased to be featured as part of Boston Magazine's 'Four New England House Museums with Stunning Holiday Decorations!' The Mansion is in fantastic company with the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island, and the Eustis and Crane Estates in Massachusetts. Click HERE to check out the full article by Madeline Bilis and the fabulous feature image taken by Dan Kennedy of Harmon's Floral Company. Be sure to come see the holiday splendor at Victoria Mansion for yourself anytime between now and January 7, 2018. Click HERE to view our hours.
Conservation of Reception Suite’s Walls and Ceiling Almost Complete
Conservators are currently working to complete the wall and ceiling conservation portion of our massive project in the Reception Suite. The project will encompass paint conservation and inpainting, repair of moldings and plaster elements on the ceiling , restoration of the decoratively painted surfaces in the window bay, and the conservation and reinstallation of the canvas roundels that punctuate the room. Four conserved canvas roundels were reinstalled Thursday, September 14, under the supervision of paper conservator Lorraine Bigrigg. She attached the roundels with a conservation-grade wheat paste with the gluten extracted, in order to prevent the breakdown of any organic [...]
Victorian Fair Recap
Over 300 visitors attended our third biennial Victorian Fair on September 10! The weather was beautiful and the Mansion's grounds were brimming with exhibitors and special guests, including the 3rd Maine Regiment Civil War reenactors, Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, master food preservers from the University of Maine Extension, Portland Barrel Company, Sunshine Daydream Farm & Gardens, Rock 'n Roll Dogs, and musicians Owen Kennedy and Terry Foster. Visitors also learned about historic knitting, tea etiquette, calligraphy and cider, and watched live Punch & Judy performances. Mansion staff and volunteers would like to extend a huge thank you to our patrons and our sponsors Back [...]
Mourning at the Mansion
Friday and Saturday, October 13 & 14 at 6:00 and 7:30pm, Victoria Mansion will be open for a special event highlighting the unique practices and traditions surrounding death in the Victorian Era. The tour will take you back in time to learn about how ordinary Americans dressed, ate, and entertained visitors while in mourning. In addition to the tour, visitors will see a haunting selection from Portland Ballet's Giselle. Lights will be dimmed to gaslight levels for the entirety of the evening, casting a particularly eerie glow over the Mansion's original interiors. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for Victoria [...]
Breaking Records at the Carriage House Museum Shop
This season, the shop has seen spectacular success with sales up over 40% from just last year! Shop Buyer and Manager Patti Chase has been bringing new and unique items to mix in with old favorites on the shelves. Expect to see new fall merchandise on your next visit, including a Mansion cross-stitch set, Victorian-themed Halloween decorations, and fall attire. Don't forget that members receive a 10% discount on all shop merchandise and visitors are welcome to peruse anytime the shop is open without purchasing admission tickets.
A Special Visit from Libby Family Descendants
On August 5, 2017, four great-grandchildren of J.R. Libby visited the Mansion with twelve members of their family. Ellen Libby Hyde, Katharine Libby Stuka, Anne Libby Dontonville, and Daniel B. Libby are the children of the late Daniel B. Libby and his wife Katherine Jordan Libby, both of whom passed away in 2015. The late Dan Libby was the son of J.R. Libby's son Ralph G. Libby. Curator Arlene Palmer Schwind had met the senior Dan Libby in 1997 when he and his wife came to the Mansion with his twin sister Ellen Libby Lawrence. At that time, he very generously gave the [...]
Save the Date: Victorian Fair September 10, 2017
The much anticipated 3rd biennial Victorian Fair at Victoria Mansion will feature more interactive exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities than ever before. This year's offerings will include 19th century blacksmithing demonstrations, Civil War reenactors, a Punch & Judy show, phrenology demonstrations, the Kotzschmar Junior organ, and much, much more! The fair will begin at 11:00am and run until 5:00pm, with last admission at 4:30. Discounted admission rates will get you a tour of the house plus entry to all the wonders that our grounds can hold! $10 for adults, $7 for college students and FREE for Victoria Mansion Members, children up [...]