Nearly 2 months since closing & I’m still awestruck each time I come home.
Welcome to my “new” house. Better known as the Francis Waldo-Daniel Dole House of Stroudwater Village, Portland. Yes, that is a mouthful.
Above is a street view taken a century ago. Here’s what it looks like today.
This is the view from the back. The house itself is spectacular, but it’s the yard that first drew us in. Talk about beautiful. Waking up to this each morning makes me thank God I am alive. Although we’re still in Portland, we’re about as far away from the Old Port as you can be w/in city limits – about 10 minutes by car. The feel of the place is suburban, almost rural. Our neighborhood, Stroudwater Village, is one of the oldest sections of the city, founded in 1658 (according to the sign on Congress Street), but more often stated as 1727. Our house – the Dole House – predates the American Revolution. But we have yet to determine its exact age. The former owners give the date as 1740. We have a book which claims it was built between 1760 and 65. An online reference states 1771-2. At this point it’s anyone’s guess. Officially, the oldest home in Portland – The Tate House – is right down the street and was built in 1755. But it’s owned by an historical society and maintained as a museum. It could be reasonably argued our house is the oldest surviving colonial residence in Portland.
okay, jealous.
really.
totally.
Huge! Huge! Huge!
*I’m thinking Holiday! Holiday! Holiday!
I’m looking forward to seeing the inards! 😮
yeah all of the above and I am totally rounding up all S.L.O.B.S. for a road trip…get ready cuz here I come…ooooh ooooh get ready…
Now you have enough room for more little “dishes” 🙂
I AM MIOVING IN. stop stealing my idea–i WANT a historic house…but we’re not handy enough to live in one. 🙁 we’d have to hire everyone to fix it up for us.
want more indoor pictures, please.
xoxo
hehe Connie! So right! Or why not have no more little dishes and just have us girls around… for a long time…. :o)
WOW.
WOW.
Your home is GORGEOUS. AND AWESOME. No wonder you’ve been focused on it. It must melt your heart every time you come home.
Oh…could I have some fun with $300K and that house to work on…
i think you should have a house-warming party for all your blogging friends…and I will push myself to the top of the queue!
Many thanks Everyone!! Christmas is already booked and we MAY be having a wedding next year (oooooohhhh) BUT there’s always time for summer visits. Let me know when the SLOBS are making the journey & I’ll get the lobsters lined up. YUUMMMM>!
PS: No little dishes on the menu… yet.
xoxoxo
Beautiful!! I love historic homes! I really want to visit Oregon some day. It looks very lovely.
Are you going to share interior shots as well? I’d love to see!
I’m so glad that you love the homestead as we have. Of course, there’s always work to do on it but at some point Dad decided to start living beyond catering to the restoration and then his body would not allow him to do more than maintenance. When he died 13 years ago, Mom needed the help of the wonderful fellas, men of the building and landscaping trades. They did not take unfair advantage of her but, recognized the work Dad did and tried to replicate or continue to care for the house as he had. We 4 daughters were not handy in the building trades and pursued our own particular strengths. Gratefully, we lived in our parents’ shadow and were allowed to bring our families and friends to know the house and its stories. We felt those stories and their ghostly characters rather than actually knowing facts about all the house’s residents over history. I’m proud that we were part of it and that the torch is yours, now. Kate
Hey S. Le! I’d like to visit Oregon too some day. Maine is also lovely — maybe you could do a coast-t0-coast..? Will def be doing interior tour, keeping checking in!
Hi Kate!! You should all be proud. The work your father did on this house stands as a testament to his love & talent. I marvel at it daily. I hope you & your family will enjoy these posts. PS: Hope your mom is settling in well. xo
I am enjoying your posts of home. And to Madison and Georgia, have a wonderful first Halloween in Stroudwater. Perhaps the ghosts down the street in the cemetary will be popping up next Saturday. Have fun! Abbie
Thanks Abbie! The girls are WAY EXCITED~!