Our Meeting of June 24: TIm Brosnihan "Victoria Mansion Revisted |by Erik Jorgensen
On Friday we heard from Timothy Brosnihan, the Director of Victoria Mansion. The mansion has been a lynchpin of Portland’s museum landscape for decades, and like any house of its stature and significance, it requires continual work to keep up. This also means that while it is an historic house museum, it’s not static - there is al.0ways something new to see as the building, which was built as a summer residence for the New Orleans based Morse family in the 1850’s
With its lush interior and fully customized interior design by Gustav Herter, the house is unique in its furnishings. Herter was among the most important interior designers of his era, and the mansion represents the sole surviving complete example of his work. Similarly, the decorative painting in the house is also unique, and the combination of that, along with the furnishings, makes the building one of the nation’s most complete and unusual American 19th century interiors.
The House survived the Portland fire, and the Morse family lived there until the 1890’s. It was sold to the Libby Family, who lived there into the 20th century. Somehow, the interior collections have remained almost entirely intact, having been returned to the building after some time in other family houses, and the building is today essentially an 1860’s time capsule.
The transition from grand house to museum was far from a linear or certain one. Mr. Brosnihan told the story of the various residents and the owners of the house; its decline in the early 20th century and even its near conversion to a gas station, before it was bought by a private citizen and opened as a museum in the 1940’s. It went through a long period as a sort of Victorian clubhouse for a society of “women of achievement” but has been, for the past four decades or so, professionally managed as the unique and important museum it is. The mansion has been accorded the status of National Historic Landmark, which is, in this country, the highest designation of significance for an historic site.
Conservation has always been an ongoing challenge, and the house employs a staff conservator. Her work focuses on retaining the original surfaces - cleaning, stabilizing, preserving. In many cases, bringing a single room back to its original appearance can be a multi-year process. This work has resulted in a return to the astonishingly bright colors that were originally there. Layers of coal dust from the old heating system had permeated the paint, gilt fixtures, and glass, and needs to be lifted away.
Parallel to the conservation effort, which cleans and takes care of existing surfaces and materials, there are also restoration activities, designed to re-create items that are missing. The result of all of this is a museum where there are always new things to see and experience. And while most Portland Rotarians have been to the mansion, it may be time to revisit this signature piece of our community’s history.
Bits and Pieces | by Tom Nickerson
Our guest host this week was Past President Paul Gore (2005-2006) who opened the meeting with a gong by using a golden railroad spike – a gift from Larry Gross who found it planting trees on the Bayside trail. (photo)
Cyrus Hagge led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Charlie Frair provided the Invocation. He encouraged us to acknowledge all the fortunes in our lives. He shared some favorite words of inspiration: Thanks is the highest form of thinking and gratitude doubles that. Recognizing the good in life is the basis for abundance; and Trade expectations for appreciations.
President Gore recognized our visitor – Amberlynn Esperanza, Assistant VP of Mascoma Bank and current president of PROPEL. A guest of Justin Lamontagne.
Our own District Governor Dick Hall's name was drawn, allowing him the honor of going for this week's raffle, now just over $400. Patty Byers held the cards, and we noted that Dick and Patty were wearing matching Rotary "There is Good In The World" t-shirts. However, the shirt synergy was not enough to help the ever-optimistic DG pull the coveted Queen of Hearts from the deck. Tail-tucked, Mr. Hall shuffled away from the deck with no money. (photo)
Charlie Frair provided a great update on the Flags for Hero project. The club is looking to display 100 flags for two weeks, Sept 9-22, at the Maine Mall. Each flag represents a person who is recognized as a hero. The cost to sponsor a hero is $100. This year, we are focusing on expanding beyond the club and looking to find 35 or more non-members in the community who will sponsor a hero. Hero sponsorships are due no later than September 2nd. Flyers with a sponsor form was available for the taking, and info on how to do it online is forthcoming. (photo)
Dave Small made a request for a few more volunteers to serve on the Invocation/Inspiration Moment committee. Bruce Jones is stepping down as he will be busy as President, and we'd like to find someone to join the team and share both the responsibility as well as the rewards of providing inspirational words at our meetings. Contact Dave Small with your interest.(photo)
Patty Byers shared that there is one more week to make a gift to the Rotary Foundation for this program year. She thanked everyone who has given to date. (phot0)
Ellen Niewoehner announced that there would be a Board meeting after the meeting.
Take Me Out To The Ballpark! |by Bill Blount
Our July 15th meeting will be at Hadlock Field - start time 12 Noon! Bring family, bring friends. It's always a great time, behind the scenes and insider info on the game, the team, and the players. We meet at the picnic area that borders right field.
When the Sea Dogs came to town in 1994, under the leadership of Past President John Tewhey (1994-1995) a fundraising celebratory dinner was organized by this club at the Portland Expo with circa 300 attendees. The following year the board of directors agreed to have one of our Friday luncheon meetings at Hadlock. Since then going to the Dogs has become a popular yearly event.
Our Sea Dogs luncheon has been well attended in the past including last year in the midst of CV19. Since this is an outdoor venue, even many of the virus adverse felt safe to attend. It's a perfect opportunity to invite your significant, family of all ages, out of town guests, co-workers or prospective Portland Rotarians to see the club members at our informal best. $25 payable at the gate for the meal served by Sea Dog's staff includes a Sea Dog Biscuit delicious Gifford's ice cream sandwich!
Our liaison with the Sea Dogs is former Portland Rotarian and Maine Baseball Hall of Fame inductee John Kamisha. Past President (2007-2008) and Maine Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ben Lowry will be our Rotary host. Let's make this a great event. We hope to see you there.
Speaker Schedule
July 1 | No Meeting - Enjoy your 4th of July Weekend!
July 8 | Bruce Jones, Our 2022-2023 President
July 15 | Road Trip to Hadlock Field w/Guest Past President host, Ben Lowry
July 22 | Maine Lobstermen's Assocation
July 29 | Steve and Chuck Romanoff from Schooner Fare
August 5 | Jason Judd, Maine Spark Employment
Club Executives President-Elect Bruce Jones 1st VP Dick Hall 2nd VP Patty Byers Treasurer Howie Herodes Secretary Michelle DiSotto Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner, Mark Foster, Bob Clark, Roger Fagan, John Thompson Sergeant-At-Arms Dave Putnam
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
1st Q Program Chair: Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
This Week:
The transition from grand house to museum was far from a linear or certain one. Mr. Brosnihan told the story of the various residents and the owners of the house; its decline in the early 20th century and even its near conversion to a gas station, before it was bought by a private citizen and opened as a museum in the 1940’s. It went through a long period as a sort of Victorian clubhouse for a society of “women of achievement” but has been, for the past four decades or so, professionally managed as the unique and important museum it is. The mansion has been accorded the status of National Historic Landmark, which is, in this country, the highest designation of significance for an historic site.
Dave Small made a request for a few more volunteers to serve on the Invocation/Inspiration Moment committee. Bruce Jones is stepping down as he will be busy as President, and we'd like to find someone to join the team and share both the responsibility as well as the rewards of providing inspirational words at our meetings. 
Patty Byers shared that there is one more week to make a gift to the Rotary Foundation for this program year. She thanked everyone who has given to date. (phot0)
Our July 15th meeting will be at Hadlock Field - start time 12 Noon! 
