Front Door, Yellow House, Gardiner, ca. 1985
Item 135788 info
Maine Historical Society
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 [Rosalind Richards Wiggins] standing in the doorway to the South Parlour on the left, John [Richards] 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, Laura E. Richards bidding Henry Richards 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.'
"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.
Item 1 of 14
