Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
In 1985, photographer Elijah Cobb photographed the "Yellow House," also known as the Laura E. Richards House, a historic home in Gardiner. Built around 1810, it was famous for its connection to the Pulitzer Prize winning author who lived there for the majority of her writing career.
Cobb's mother and aunt, Rosalind Cobb Wiggins and Laura E. Putnam, authored a series of essay-length labels to accompany his portfolio. The front door photograph essay reads:
"For many years, until Laura E. Wiggins’ great age, family and visitors were greeted here. The flag was always flown on national as well as family holidays. As one stepped in, the hall was crowded - Rosalind standing in the doorway to the South Parlour on the left, John helping with coats and bags, a dog nosing friendly welcome. Comings and goings down these steps were constant - errands to town, committee meetings to attend, L.E.R. bidding H.R. to be cautious (he was well into his eighties) about inspecting the new hospital roof. 'And Harry!' 'Yes, my dear, I won’t.' He continued down the steps, turned left up the street, but as he turned the corner called, 'I don’t have to. I did last night.'
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'The Yellow House' was christened such in 1877 shortly after the Richards purchased it and brightened the former brown color. John Haseltine had this striking Federal house build in 1814 for his bride Harriet Byram, daughter of Ebenezer, Henry Dearborn’s master builder. Built in two rapid stages, the front last, birch bark was used for insulation. In 1904 a four bedroom addition and piazza were constructed to accommodate a growing family. This house has been the center for civic consciousness in this community for four generations. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979."
From the 1984 book, 'An Architectural and Historical Survey of the Gardiner Area,' published by the Friends of Gardiner.
About This Item
- Title: Front Door, Yellow House, Gardiner, ca. 1985
- Creator: Elijah Cobb
- Creation Date: circa 1985
- Subject Date: circa 1985
- Location: Gardiner, Kennebec County, ME
- Media: photographic print
- Dimensions: 35.6 cm x 27.9 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 2085, RG 39/1
- Collection: The Yellow House papers, Laura E. Richards collection
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Architecture, Domestic
- Authors, American--Maine
- Historic buildings--Maine--Gardiner
- Snow
- Women authors, American--Maine--Gardiner
- Yellow House (Gardiner, Me.)
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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