Activity Overview
Victoria Mansion in downtown Portland has been described as "one of the most important historic house museums and collections of the mid Victorian period anywhere in America" and "an unparalleled example of pre-Civil War grandeur."
Completed in 1860 as a summer home for Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a wealthy proprietor of luxury hotels, Victoria Mansion was modeled after an Italian villa from the mid 1800's and still contains more than 90% of its original furnishings.
As a hotel owner, Morse was able to install modern-day conveniences for that time period, including hot and cold running water, gas lighting, central heating and a bell system for summoning servants.
In addition to the striking furniture, one will see stained glass, silver, porcelain, glassware, splendid carpets, gilded surfaces, detailed plasterwork and more.
Things to Do
- Take one of the two guided tours held each day from May through October.
- Take a self-guided tour offered the day after Thanksgiving until early January.
Victoria Mansion Insider Tips
- On-street parking is available nearby, mostly for one and two hours, but much of the parking directly across the street is limited to 15 minutes.
- The mansion's carriage house gift shop contains jewelry, unique gifts for all ages, and books about 19th-century architecture, art history and gardens.
- At Christmastime, the shop has an even greater array of gifts, including Victorian-inspired Christmas ornaments.
