Victoria Mansion, Portland (must see)
Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House or Morse-Libby Mansion, stands as a remarkable representation of American residential architecture situated in the heart of downtown Portland. This elegant brownstone Italianate villa, completed in 1860, was originally intended as a summer retreat for Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a prominent hotelier who had ventured beyond Maine to amass his fortune in the hotel industry in New York, Boston, and New Orleans.
The house was designed by the esteemed architect Henry Austin, boasting a distinctively asymmetrical structure characterized by a four-story tower, overhanging eaves, inviting verandas, and ornate windows. Adding to its allure, the interior of the mansion showcases intricate frescoes and captivating three-dimensional wall decorations, masterfully crafted by the talented artist and decorator Giuseppe Guidicini.
After serving as a cherished family residence, the mansion witnessed a change in ownership when the last of the Libby family members departed in 1928. Unfortunately, the subsequent economic downturn of the Great Depression, coupled with the devastating 1938 Portland flood, led to the repossession of the house in 1939 due to unpaid taxes. The fate of the abandoned mansion hung in the balance, with plans even surfacing for its demolition to make way for a gas station, proposed by an oil company.
However, the property was saved by William H. Holmes, who recognized the historical significance of the building. Determined to protect its architectural grandeur, Holmes purchased the house in 1941 and lovingly transformed it into the Victoria Mansion, paying homage to Britain's esteemed Queen Victoria.
Victoria Mansion was added to the National Historic Register. Today, it continues to thrive as a captivating museum, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the opulent splendor of nineteenth-century America.
The house was designed by the esteemed architect Henry Austin, boasting a distinctively asymmetrical structure characterized by a four-story tower, overhanging eaves, inviting verandas, and ornate windows. Adding to its allure, the interior of the mansion showcases intricate frescoes and captivating three-dimensional wall decorations, masterfully crafted by the talented artist and decorator Giuseppe Guidicini.
After serving as a cherished family residence, the mansion witnessed a change in ownership when the last of the Libby family members departed in 1928. Unfortunately, the subsequent economic downturn of the Great Depression, coupled with the devastating 1938 Portland flood, led to the repossession of the house in 1939 due to unpaid taxes. The fate of the abandoned mansion hung in the balance, with plans even surfacing for its demolition to make way for a gas station, proposed by an oil company.
However, the property was saved by William H. Holmes, who recognized the historical significance of the building. Determined to protect its architectural grandeur, Holmes purchased the house in 1941 and lovingly transformed it into the Victoria Mansion, paying homage to Britain's esteemed Queen Victoria.
Victoria Mansion was added to the National Historic Register. Today, it continues to thrive as a captivating museum, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the opulent splendor of nineteenth-century America.
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Victoria Mansion on Map
Sight Name: Victoria Mansion
Sight Location: Portland, USA (See walking tours in Portland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Portland, USA (See walking tours in Portland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Portland, Maine
Create Your Own Walk in Portland
Creating your own self-guided walk in Portland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
There is no doubt that Mainers have made a great mark in the history of the United States, and the seaside city of Portland is no exception. The local architectural heritage encapsulates several centuries, reflecting various periods of American history 鈥� from the early colonial settlers' homes to the industrious Victorians and their ornate dwellings, all the way through to the modern day... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Portland Maine Introduction Walking Tour
If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Portland, Maine is the city that always dreams. Its magic is in its quiet, gentle allure. Located on the southern edge of Casco Bay, along the U.S. Atlantic coastline, Portland is known, among other things, for its picturesque natural setting.
Albeit the largest and most populous city in the State of Maine, there is a certain... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Albeit the largest and most populous city in the State of Maine, there is a certain... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles