True Victorian Style
Victoria Mansion in Portland

The corner of Park and Danforth streets in Portland, Maine is home to a historic landmark which to its core exudes elegance and romanticism. Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, was built between 1858 and 1860 and remains today a startling example of wealth in the pre-Civil War era.

Originally a summer home for Ruggles Slyvester Morse, a successful luxury hotelier, the mansion boasts an ornate brownstone exterior, complete with elaborate window moldings and a four story tower. Inside, however, the true intricacy of Victorian design is showcased with breathtaking results. Opulence is all around you, from the intricately designed plaster ceilings and thick carpets, to the beautifully painted murals and stained glass windows, not a square inch is left without decoration.

Antique lovers will by happy to note that architecturial features are not the only reason to see the house. Victoria Mansion is also home to some of the most unique and spectacular furniture of the period. Created in the New York workshops of Gustave Herter specifically for this summer home, the furnishings are remarkable in design with thematic carvings which lend an even more romantic feel to the rooms. Incredibly, 90% of the original contents of the mansion remain in tact and are still on display.

Victoria Mansion is located at 109 Danforth Street in the arts district of Portland, Maine with many lodging options nearby. You may tour it May-October, with special Christmas Gala Holiday Tours November 26 through December 31. No reservations necessary for groups less than ten, and the mansion is closed on Mondays.