The Wadsworth–Longfellow House
In June 2002, the Maine Historical Society celebrated the centennial of the Wadsworth–Longfellow House as Maine's first house museum open to the public.
Directions and parking information
Wadsworth–Longfellow House
(NOTE: For more information about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, his work, influence, family, and childhood home, visit our Longfellow website at www.HWLongfellow.org.)
Within its walls lived three generations of one remarkable family that made significant contributions to the political, literary, and cultural life of New England and the United States. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882), grew up in the house and went on to become one of the most famous men of his time.
General Peleg Wadsworth, built the house in 1785–1786, and the last person to live there was Anne Longfellow Pierce, Henry's younger sister. Mrs. Pierce, widowed at an early age, lived in the house until her death in 1901. At that time, in accordance with a deed she executed in 1895, the house passed to the Maine Historical Society to be preserved as a memorial to her famous brother and their family.
Virtually all of the household items and artifacts are original to the Wadsworth and Longfellow families.
Furnishings from the three generations illustrate changes in style, technology, and attitude over the 19th century. Peleg and Elizabeth Wadsworth raised ten children in the house before retiring to the family farm in Hiram, Maine, in 1807.
The Parlor
The Wadsworth–Longfellow House is also an important architectural artifact of New England's past. Originally a two–story structure with a pitched roof, it was the first wholly brick dwelling in Portland. Zilpah and Stephen Longfellow (Henry's parents) added a third story in 1815. The only single–family residence to survive downtown Congress Street's change from a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood on the edge of town to an urban business district, it is the oldest standing structure on the Portland peninsula.
After two and a half years of meticulous renovation to the era of the 1850's, the Wadsworth–Longfellow house re–opened to the public in June of 2002.
The Longfellow Garden
Behind the House you will find the Longfellow Garden, a secluded Colonial Revival style garden that is an oasis of green and quiet in the heart of downtown Portland. Located on what had once been the domestic farmyard for the Wadsworth Longfellow family, the Longfellow Garden Club created the garden in 1926. Beautifully landscaped, with meandering paths throughout, it is open to the public in seasonal weather. To read more about the garden, visit The Longfellow Garden page on the HWLongfellow.org website.
Group Tour Information
Group rates for 2011/2012 Season are $7.00 per person with 2 comps.
Coaches are asked to discharge passengers at the bus stop on Congress Street after Brown Street where they will be met by Maine Historical Society staff. See directions
Vans needing wheelchair access can discharge passengers at the Brown Street sidewalk ramp (corner of Congress and Brown) where they will be met by Maine Historical Society staff.
A $25 non-refundable deposit is required. Checks should be made payable to Maine Historical Society and mailed to the address below. A credit card payment option is also available. If you need to cancel your reservation, a 24 hour notice would be appreciated. Please call 207-774-1822 to make arrangements.
Volunteer Docents
Portland History Docent Program (PHD) is a collaborative effort by Greater Portland Landmarks, The Maine Historical Society, Tate House Museum, Portland Harbor Museum, and Victoria Mansion. Each February, these five organizations join forces to provide a twelve-week training program for new volunteer guides at each organization’s respective museum site. PHD graduates are asked to commit to a year of volunteer time at one of the five sponsoring sites. In return they receive knowledge, experience, and friendships that will last a lifetime! PHD graduates who volunteer with MHS give tours of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. To sign up for the next PHD Program, contact Bill Hall, the Coordinator of Portland’s History Docents Program, 207-774-5561 ext. 120.