Monday, June 29, 2015

Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion

 Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

My daughter and I  were driving along New Hampshire's Atlantic coast when we happened upon this stately home, now a part of a state park.  This mansion has 40 rooms and sits next to Little Harbour  just outside the town Portsmouth and across the river from Kittery, Maine.

 Closer view looking easterly

This is the clapboard home of the first royal governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth (1741 to 1767). It was a working farm, but Wentworth made most of his money exporting timber,  dried fish and other products to England and importing rum, olives and other European products.

The home is said to be an outstanding example of how colonial aristocracy lived  in Portsmouth during the 18th century.  Well, I cannot comment on that because, truth be told, I was more interested in the  ocean views. But hey! Next time I visit the area I may check out the mansion's interior.

View looking northeasterly

Both elegant and awkward, the building is made up of several pre-existing ones, the result creating three wings: one each for family, servants and entertainment.  Each wing had it's own entrance and staircase so it's not hard to imagine that this mansion may have been the site of 18th-century international intrigue. Or not.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

46 comments:

Mersad said...

Such a great place for a house, with that lovely open view.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

eileeninmd said...

It is a beautiful house and it sounds like it has a GREAT view of the water too. Lovely images, have a happy day!

Revrunner said...

I see where it's got modern utilities that old man Wentworth might have appreciated. Betcha it can get cold up there on that shore. :-)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Ocean views oh yes but it is a beautiful home. Time with your daughter is the best. Hug B

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a find. A different idea of what a mansion looks like but I'd love to see it someday.

Kate said...

Oh, lots of imaginative stories could be created about this house. Actually, I really like all the quirky shapes.

VP said...

It is easy to imagine stories about this curious and fascinating building!

TexWisGirl said...

pretty design!

orchid0324 said...

Dearest EG; Sure looks a stately home(and in the state ♪) You enjoyed the wonderful ocean view; yes, interior must be gorgeous as well☆☆☆ 

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in Canada, xoxo Miyako*

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

it certainly has a great view.

Anvilcloud said...

It's quite a size. I think that 'three wing' approach was somewhat common in that area at that time.

Michelle said...

What a stately home and I love the color!

BasiaW said...

It is a beautiful house!

Lowell said...

That is a gorgeous home and property! I'd say the 18th century elite lived very, very well! (We could say the same about the 1% today!)

Mary Hone said...

That's a great looking place. I bet the interior is nice too.

Blogoratti said...

Lovely scenery indeed.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Not the typical mansion one thinks of when hearing the word. If I had to live in a mansion, this would be more my style.

Judy said...

A beautiful setting for a home. Awkward and elegant are just the right words to sum up the architecture of the building.

Sylvia K said...

Interesting place, beautiful setting indeed and great history!! Thanks as always for sharing, EG!! And your posts always make for a great start for the day!! Hope you have a wonderful new week!! Enjoy!!

Unknown said...

What a lovely house and beautiful lawn (1st pic)!

Stephanie said...

A very attractive design and love the colors used on the house. Beautiful scenery!

RedPat said...

It feels so unusual to see a mansion that isn't brick!

Pamela Gordon said...

What a great old house. It would be very interesting to tour the inside where it's layout is so unique.

Karen said...

I like the old "salt box" design.

William Kendall said...

It is a beautiful place.

Amy at love made my home said...

What a wonderful building! xx

Ruth Hiebert said...

It doesn't look all that fancy on the outside,but I am sure the inside would be filled with character.

Unknown said...

A beautiful house fabulously photographed, ocean pictures next time please...

carol l mckenna said...

Great photographs of a wonderful historical house ~ for OWT!

Happy week to you ~ Happy 4th of July in the USA
artmusedog and carol

GreenComotion said...

What a beautiful building! I love your composition, Tina - well done!!
Have a Wonderful Day!
Peace :)

Photo Cache said...

What a neat house. I really like that it's in my fave color too.

Worth a Thousand Words

Gail Dixon said...

I was born in Kittery, Maine! So nice to see actual photos from that part of the country. I'd love to take a trip there someday to see what I missed as an infant. Thank you!!

Randy said...

Wonderful looking home.

Barb said...

An expansive view and an interesting color for the mansion! I can't imagine having 40 rooms!

Rose said...

I bet the view from those windows would be wonderful! I would like to see the inside if it had the old furnishings in it.

Kathy said...

I'm sure it's been added on to many times during its history. I would have liked Wentworth. Not only did he have a wonderful house but I love olives and occasionally enough a sip of rum!

Cloudia said...

Visual AND interesting facts!




ALOHA
ComfortSpiral
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Anonymous said...

It's set in a beautiful location!

Adam Jones said...

That is a very fine looking building.

Darla said...

A very interesting building, as you say a bit awkward but I'll bet there are some good stories connected to it.

Indrani said...

40 rooms!!! Now I am curious about the interiors.

Gattina said...

Can only say that this governor had a very good taste and probably also the necessary staff to clean 40 rooms !

Anonymous said...

It's as lovely as a painting.

chai-and-chardonnay.blogspot.com said...

They certainly knew how to life in those days. Or at least how to find the perfect location to built such a great house.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

That's interesting that a wing was added on for a family rather than the "new" family building a separate house next to it. Now that has me wondering if that's why European castles are big.
Take 25 to Hollister

Susan Anderson said...

Really picturesque. It would be a neat place to see in person.

=)

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.