As I mentioned I just returned from a vacation partly spent in southern Maine visiting
dear friends. I wanted to share with you some of the highlights in case you decide to visit Maine yourself (I highly recommend it!).
It wouldn't be a vacation for me without 2 things: house museums and antique stores. Luckily Maine hosted an abundance of each!
The first picture shows gorgeous
Hamilton House, an 18th century house museum located in South Berwick, Maine. Famous for its early 20th century gardens and quirky collections we unfortunately visited on a rainy day. All the better to enjoy the house and gardens all to ourselves!
Two of the most amazing antique stores I have ever visited were located along Route 1,
R. Jorgensen and
MacDougall-Gionet (respectively in the above photos). Be sure to check out the fascinating blog on R. Jorgensen's
website; I'll be doing a further post on my trip there soon. I wish I had purchased the Neoclassical French sidechair shown at MacDougall-Gionets!
Of course just driving along Routes 1 and 1a shows one some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country as well as beautiful historic houses and sites.
A visit to world famous
Stonewall Kitchen in York was at the very top of my list - I'll be fully stocked on jams and condiments for the year to come (favorites are the
Pink Grapefruit marmalade and
Major Grey's chutney)!
A drive past the
Ogunquit Playhouse was exciting as well, after all of the stories one hears. However their choice of performer during our time there was a bit questionable. Needless to say we didn't stop in.
I highly encourage you to visit the southern coast of Maine (such an easy trip from Boston) and come back to see more in-depth posts on some of my favorite activities! What did you do this summer?
I love that cemetery, and all the rest of my little neighborhood. The stone wall was actually just rebuilt within the past couple of years. I wish I hadn't been working all weekend while you were up here. I would have very much liked to have met up. Let me know next time you're going to be in the area, though.
ReplyDeleteso excited that you saw janet!
ReplyDeleteWhat did I do this summer? Same thing I do every summer: nothing. It's just too hot to go outside if I don't have to. These days, historic houses generally have A/C--if not for visitors' comfort, then for the protection of their contents--but you still have to get there. And I when it comes to gardens, I'm more more interested in their planning & layout & structures & statuary than I am in flowers, so as far as I'm concerned, they're better seen after a hard frost anyway. So I've spent most of the summer indoors with the curtains drawn, reading or drawing or sitting here in front of the keyboard. It should be safe to go out by Columbus day, and by November, I'll be back to normal--or as close as I ever get.
ReplyDeleteBTW, seasonal issues aside, that spectacular Charles X bed at R.Jorgensen would have been worth the trip all by itself. Great photography, too.
Mel, hope we can meet up! Probably next summer.
ReplyDeleteMeg, was so happy to see her!
ReplyDeleteMagnaverde - I hear you on temperatures. In DC I typically never venture outdoors but thats what makes Maine (and Cape Cod) so delightful - summer weather is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, I adore Maine!!! I love Bob Withington Antiques, but sadly think he is closing up and moving to FL. Look forward to reading more!!
ReplyDeleteYes, that chair is a beauty, are there really sphinx on the back? I would love to visit Maine again... it has been so long. I will make a note about those stores... marvelous.
ReplyDeleteLoi, I missed that shop but it may have been further afield. We didn't get far from York / Kennebunk area.
ReplyDeleteDeana, still regretting not just buying the chair.....but my apartment is beginning to look like a chair museum!
ReplyDeleteStefan I have never been, I love what you've shown us though and I think you will like my post.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Feature:Love Where You Live
Stefan,
ReplyDeleteI adore Maine. Many fond memories. I worked for a company based in NY and in Portland, Maine and told my husband in Maine that I was with child....little did I know that I was pregant with twins. I had rented a convertible and we drove to Augusta to spend a weekend with family friends.
Maine is such a great spot on this earth.
pve
Hmmm, we must have just missed each other at McDougall-Gionnet.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many delights in Southern Maine (but wait until you see Down East Maine!)
Jorgensen has to be one the most amazing shops I've ever seen. And, if you're an interested person, you can learn a lot from them. I was lucky to get a little behind the scenes of their workshop where they do amazing restoration work. It's too bad you missed Withington. It's right by Stonewall Kitchen. I don't know the other place you mentioned and will check it out sometime soon.
ReplyDelete