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.
Such a great place for a house, with that lovely open view.
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Mersad Donko Photography
It is a beautiful house and it sounds like it has a GREAT view of the water too. Lovely images, have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteI see where it's got modern utilities that old man Wentworth might have appreciated. Betcha it can get cold up there on that shore. :-)
ReplyDeleteOcean views oh yes but it is a beautiful home. Time with your daughter is the best. Hug B
ReplyDeleteWhat a find. A different idea of what a mansion looks like but I'd love to see it someday.
ReplyDeleteOh, lots of imaginative stories could be created about this house. Actually, I really like all the quirky shapes.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to imagine stories about this curious and fascinating building!
ReplyDeletepretty design!
ReplyDeleteDearest EG; Sure looks a stately home(and in the state ♪） You enjoyed the wonderful ocean view; yes, interior must be gorgeous as well☆☆☆
ReplyDeleteSending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in Canada, xoxo Miyako*
it certainly has a great view.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a size. I think that 'three wing' approach was somewhat common in that area at that time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stately home and I love the color!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful house!
ReplyDeleteThat 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!)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great looking place. I bet the interior is nice too.
ReplyDeleteLovely scenery indeed.
ReplyDeleteNot the typical mansion one thinks of when hearing the word. If I had to live in a mansion, this would be more my style.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful setting for a home. Awkward and elegant are just the right words to sum up the architecture of the building.
ReplyDeleteInteresting 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!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely house and beautiful lawn (1st pic)!
ReplyDeleteA very attractive design and love the colors used on the house. Beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteIt feels so unusual to see a mansion that isn't brick!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great old house. It would be very interesting to tour the inside where it's layout is so unique.
ReplyDeleteI like the old "salt box" design.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful building! xx
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look all that fancy on the outside,but I am sure the inside would be filled with character.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful house fabulously photographed, ocean pictures next time please...
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs of a wonderful historical house ~ for OWT!
ReplyDeleteHappy week to you ~ Happy 4th of July in the USA
artmusedog and carol
What a beautiful building! I love your composition, Tina - well done!!
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Day!
Peace :)
What a neat house. I really like that it's in my fave color too.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
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!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful looking home.
ReplyDeleteAn expansive view and an interesting color for the mansion! I can't imagine having 40 rooms!
ReplyDeleteI bet the view from those windows would be wonderful! I would like to see the inside if it had the old furnishings in it.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteVisual AND interesting facts!
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ComfortSpiral
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It's set in a beautiful location!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very fine looking building.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting building, as you say a bit awkward but I'll bet there are some good stories connected to it.
ReplyDelete40 rooms!!! Now I am curious about the interiors.
ReplyDeleteCan only say that this governor had a very good taste and probably also the necessary staff to clean 40 rooms !
ReplyDeleteIt's as lovely as a painting.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly knew how to life in those days. Or at least how to find the perfect location to built such a great house.
ReplyDeleteThat'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.
ReplyDeleteTake 25 to Hollister
Really picturesque. It would be a neat place to see in person.
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