Saturday, July 30, 2011

HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND

I love objects with a history, antiques, folk art, textiles, but most importantly I love old houses...I find warped pine floors.... bubbled paned glass windows....and huge fireplaces most enchanting....call me crazy but my dream is to one day own and reside in an old house... The majestic Hamilton House found perched on the banks of the Salmon Falls River in South Berwick, Maine is one of the most beautiful settings found untouched by the modern world. You will be welcomed by the fragrant air.... a perk from the colonial flower gardens, and birdsong echoing off in the distance...

located down a dirt road tucked behind stately trees this Georgian mansion rests. Jonathan Hamilton, first to acquire this property around 1785 built this home, out buildings, and warehouses, raised food, built ships, cut wood and created gardens. Grist and sawmills operated upstream... the Salmon Falls river was once a bustling port with ocean going vessels...

The Hamilton House changed hands over the years, falling into disrepair...the last owners, Bostonians, Emily and Elise Tyson, mother and stepdaughter and friends to neighboring American writer Sarah Orne Jewett purchased the then dilapidated home in 1898 for use as their summer home... with time and money the house regained it's former glory. Hamilton House holds many of the Tyson's furnishings, personal possessions and some of the most impressive wall murals painted by artist George Porter Fernald.

In 1949, upon the death of Emily, Elise Tyson Vaughn bequeathed the house, gardens, out buildings, and surrounding fields to Historic New England, now know as SPNEA, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The one drawback to visiting historical homes, ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTOGRAPHY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES and HANDS OFF! Once, while visiting Historic Deerfield I forgot myself and allowed my finger's to touch a hooked rug, subsequently I was reprimanded quite sternly, an incident my husband will never let me forget. Now, to keep myself out of trouble I keep my hands in my pockets.... what can I say I'm a tactile type of gal....

Next stop, down the road a piece The Elliot Tractor and Engine show...and that is all I'm going to say about that! Have a great Monday everyone.

12 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

i can feel my heart rate quicken !!!!! i ADORE this post...oh how i LOVE new england !!!

great post, my friend

sending love,
kary and teddy
xx

Kim said...

I have trouble with the "no touching" antiques too. Especially when it specifically says No - it makes it more tempting
:)

jennifer768 said...

Wonderful post and I loved the beautiful pics.Definitely could not take my 23 year old sight seeing ,he has to touch everything.LOL! Thanks for sharing.Jen

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I love old homes too! My dream is to build a "new" "old" home. Mostly because of the energy efficiency! I love thinks like butler's pantry's, built in ironing boards, dumb waiters . . . etc. My list is endless.

Love the tour of this home! Thanks for sharing. We may tour it soon!

Pondside said...

Old houses always attract me too. Sometimes I picture myself in a little one up and one down house with geraniums at the windows. I'd much rather look at an old house than an old truck or tractor, so thanks!

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

I absolutely love old buildings of any kind. One of my dreams is to travel to the New England area in the fall and just sight see. Thanks for the pics.

Terry Golson said...

Love that place! HNE offers all sorts of wonderful tours; I've been on several. Most interesting are the "back of the house" tours where you get to climb narrow stairs to see where the servants lived, and down into basements to see cisterns and such.

Larkrise garden girl said...

What a beautiful post. I love history, Thanks so much for the great pics. Cheri

Ginny said...

We have never been to Maine. House is a grand "Ole Lady". Need to add Maine to my bucket list. We may just need to go antique shopping up North one day soon. Thanks for stopping by friend, have a great week!

Pix at Under the Oaks said...

Gorgeous pictures Julie. And I can just see you not being able to keep from giving that hooked rug a little "feel"! I love old homes too, just not all the little and big things that pop up to be fixed.

Margaret said...

Spectacular house! I enjoy New England so much I never want to leave when we visit. Thank goodness we aren't far! Beautiful post....and I love bubble panes too!

Denise said...

I'm embarrased to say that I live less than 30 minutes away and have never been! I guess I will have to add that to my list of places to visit in Maine, I love old homes, history and all that goes along with it!