Wadsworth-Longfellow House

Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Seasider53 · CC BY 4.0 · source
Name	Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Caption	The Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Portland, Maine
Location	Portland, Maine, United States
Coordinates	43, 39, 22, N...
Built	1785–1786
Architect	Peleg Wadsworth
Architecture	Georgian
Designated nrhp type	December 29, 1962
Partof	Portland Historic District
Partof refnum	70000043
Added	October 15, 1966
Governing body	Maine Historical Society

Wadsworth-Longfellow House is a historic house museum located in the heart of Portland, Maine. Constructed in the late 18th century by Revolutionary War general Peleg Wadsworth, it is most famous as the childhood home and later residence of the celebrated American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The house, preserved with its original furnishings and personal artifacts, is owned and operated by the Maine Historical Society as the oldest standing structure on the Portland Peninsula and a National Historic Landmark.

History

The house was built between 1785 and 1786 for General Peleg Wadsworth, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and an early settler of Portland, Maine following the destruction of the town during the Burning of Falmouth by the Royal Navy in 1775. Wadsworth, who served under General George Washington and later represented the Massachusetts district in the United States House of Representatives, constructed the home on a large lot that originally extended to Fore Street. His daughter, Zilpah Wadsworth Longfellow, was born here and later married Stephen Longfellow IV, a prominent Portland lawyer and legislator. Their son, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was born in the house in 1807 and lived there until his departure for Bowdoin College in 1822. The property remained in the Longfellow family until 1901, when it was donated to the Maine Historical Society, ensuring its preservation.

Architecture

The structure is a prime example of late Georgian architecture, characterized by its symmetrical brick facade, central doorway, and hipped roof. Built primarily from brick, a material that signaled prosperity and permanence in post-Revolutionary New England, the house's design is attributed to Peleg Wadsworth himself, reflecting his practical experience. Notable architectural features include the original Faneuil Hall-inspired fanlight over the front door, multi-pane sash windows, and interior elements such as paneled wainscoting and corner fireplaces. Subsequent modifications by the Longfellow family, including the addition of a third-floor study for the young Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, were made in harmony with the original Georgian style, maintaining the building's architectural integrity through the 19th century.

Longfellow family association

The house is intrinsically linked to the personal and professional life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was within these walls that he wrote some of his earliest poems and developed the literary sensibility that would define his career, influenced by the family's extensive library containing works by Washington Irving and Sir Walter Scott. His siblings, including the future United States Navy admiral Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow Sr., were also raised here. The poet's mother, Zilpah Wadsworth Longfellow, was a central figure in the household, fostering an environment of learning. Later in life, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow maintained a deep connection to the home, often referencing Portland and his childhood in works like "My Lost Youth." The family's stewardship preserved a remarkable collection of personal effects, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's schoolbooks to furniture acquired by his grandfather, Peleg Wadsworth.

Museum and collections

Operated as a museum by the Maine Historical Society since 1901, the house presents an unparalleled collection of original family possessions spanning three generations. The interiors are arranged to reflect the period of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's residency, featuring his personal writing desk, a significant portion of the family's 2,000-volume library, and portraits by artists such as Gilbert Stuart. The museum's holdings extend to artifacts from General Peleg Wadsworth, including his military commission signed by John Hancock, and domestic items that illustrate daily life in early Portland, Maine. The adjacent research library of the Maine Historical Society houses related manuscripts, letters, and the poet's own annotated volumes, providing critical resources for scholars studying American literature and New England history.

Cultural significance

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, the house is a pivotal site in American literary history and the preservation movement. It is the first house museum in Maine to honor a literary figure and stands as a physical testament to the early cultural development of New England. The property anchors the Portland Historic District and serves as a cornerstone for the Maine Historical Society's campus, which includes a modern research center and the Longfellow Garden. The house's association with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whose works like "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha" entered the national canon, draws international visitors and underscores Portland's role in shaping 19th-century American art and letters. Its preservation offers a direct link to the domestic and intellectual world that influenced one of the United States' most revered poets.

Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Maine Category:Museums in Portland, Maine Category:Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Category:National Historic Landmarks in Maine Category:Historic house museums in Maine Category:1786 establishments in Massachusetts