Victoria Mansion
Victoria Mansion
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America. With superb architecture and well-preserved original interiors that were among the most lavish and sophisticated in their day, it is an unparalleled document of America’s highest aspirations in architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts. Our history, a guided tour, and our present-day efforts at restoring the Mansion convey an impression of the significance of this unique site, which is of national and even international importance.
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- cherylpd1Delran, New Jersey364 contributionsFascinating Insight into Another TimeWhile riding on an open-air fire truck during a tour earlier in the week, we had spotted the mansion and knew we wanted to go back for a tour. Timed tickets were easily obtained online, and a group of us met outside. Once inside, we were able to walk and view on our own, and there were docents available to give us information/answer questions. (If possible, get tickets ahead of time. While on your own, only a set amount of people are let inside at one time, and I saw people that were turned away). The furnishings inside are almost all original, and it's quite beautiful though lavish. The stories behind the mansion and its contents are fascinating. Well worth the price of admission.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 November 2023
- elbreviewsThompson s Station, Tennessee661 contributionsGreat spot in PortlandWe very much enjoyed this tour! It is incredible how well-preserved the home is. The tour guide was helpful and knowledgeable. Plus, I liked that it wasn’t a crazy huge time commitment and it walkable up from Old Port.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 May 2024
- Deb C35 contributionsBeautiful and nearly originalThis house was incredible! Our tour guide, Tom, was very knowledgeable. It was incredible that the house was in close to its original state with a lot of the original furniture. I've toured a lot of historic houses, but none as original as this one. For people interested in history and architecture this is a must-see.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 June 2024
- Odyssey200118606 contributionsBeautiful Victorian Mansion TourIf you love history, art, architecture or old homes you will want to take the tour of this old Victorian home in Portland Maine. Most of the furniture, artwork and furnishings are original to the house and the homes owner designed most of the furniture himself. The art on the walls and ceilings is beautiful. The home is a bit of a walk from the Old Port but well worth the effort. There are guided tours of the home so check times and availability before going. Allow yourself about 90 minutes.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 June 2024
- Susan DSchellsburg, Pennsylvania176 contributionsHistory buffs--check this place outThe exterior isn't that much to look at, but enter those big doors and WOW! There were guides in each area and they were knowledgeable and knew the history of the house and the people who once lived there. It was a journey back in time with most of the furnishings being original. We enjoy going to historical houses and this proved to be a most notable one to visit. It has a gift shop as well.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 17 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
824 reviews
Excellent
486
Very good
250
Average
69
Poor
12
Terrible
7
Danya F
Columbus, OH404 contributions
Jul 2021
We had a very frustrating experience! The four of us stopped by early to get tickets to visit the Victoria Mansion. We were told that we should have made reservations online. However, since there was space for later in the day, we decided to get tickets. We handed over our AAA card, but we were charged for the full price. When we questioned the charge, the woman at the ticket counter was exasperated that we wished to be charge at the AAA rate. She said that she would have to cancel the charge and re-do it, saying that we never expressly said that we wanted the AAA price, even though we showed her the card. We were surprised to be told that there was a surcharge for handling our tickets which equalled the full price. We didn't question this though. Finally, she told us to come back at 2:30 pm that day for our tour. When we arrived at 2:20 pm for our tour, she said that we never showed up and forfeited our tour time, which was 12:15 pm. We showed her our receipt which had 12:15 pm on it, but we never looked at it since receiving it, as all four of us heard her say that our tour time was 2:30 pm. She sent us away, but I refused to leave without a refund. She said that there were no refunds allowed. In the end, she said that she would take us through the house herself. It was a very tense situation given all that had happened previously, and I've never had such as short and rushed visit of a home in my life! It was a terrible way to end our two week vacation.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JNYCwriter
New York City, NY7,517 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
While the museum may be closed inside, the grounds and gift shop are open. This is truly a grand house and appears to be well taken care of as a museum. The mansion is a brownstone built in 1860 and it initially served as a summer home. It was made of Italianate brick. I enjoyed the large windows and scale of the home.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niwotois
Saco, ME373 contributions
Dec 2019
What a surprize to find this level of incredible opulence plunked down a few blocks from the waterfront/downtown area in Portland, ME. My wife and I went primarily because it was a two block walk from our B&B and we had some time to kill. We were blown away by the place.
I read that by some experts' reckoning this is the most ornately decorated house in America and I can believe it. The woodwork and plaster work are just over the Victorian top, and that's saying a lot. The decoration is harmonious due to all of it being designed by one genius New York designer. The experience further is enhanced by the fact that a great deal of the furnishings are from the original family.
Topping off the treat was the fact that we visited at Christmas-time when different Portland designers each decorate their own separate room following the 'theme of the year', Their Victorian style Christmas decorations almost overwhelmed some of the ornamentation of the rooms themselves, but it certainly was brilliant to look at.
The docents in the various rooms were most friendly and informative and even the gift shop was a treat. All in all, this mansion really is a must-see in Portland. Think "Newport Mansion" on a liveable, human scale.
I read that by some experts' reckoning this is the most ornately decorated house in America and I can believe it. The woodwork and plaster work are just over the Victorian top, and that's saying a lot. The decoration is harmonious due to all of it being designed by one genius New York designer. The experience further is enhanced by the fact that a great deal of the furnishings are from the original family.
Topping off the treat was the fact that we visited at Christmas-time when different Portland designers each decorate their own separate room following the 'theme of the year', Their Victorian style Christmas decorations almost overwhelmed some of the ornamentation of the rooms themselves, but it certainly was brilliant to look at.
The docents in the various rooms were most friendly and informative and even the gift shop was a treat. All in all, this mansion really is a must-see in Portland. Think "Newport Mansion" on a liveable, human scale.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kari G
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
My husband and I visited this mansion during our day-trip to Portland and we enjoyed it! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the home’s history, and he was also extremely nice and welcoming. The details on the exterior and interior are so impressive along with the stories behind them all. Admission was $15 I think which does seem high for a walk-through tour of a home, but the staff puts a lot of money and effort into maintaining the home and its original pieces so the price is justified. I recommend visiting if you have the time in your trip to Portland!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cherylpd1
Delran, NJ364 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
While riding on an open-air fire truck during a tour earlier in the week, we had spotted the mansion and knew we wanted to go back for a tour. Timed tickets were easily obtained online, and a group of us met outside. Once inside, we were able to walk and view on our own, and there were docents available to give us information/answer questions. (If possible, get tickets ahead of time. While on your own, only a set amount of people are let inside at one time, and I saw people that were turned away). The furnishings inside are almost all original, and it's quite beautiful though lavish. The stories behind the mansion and its contents are fascinating. Well worth the price of admission.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LVC
Rochester, NY26 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Fascinating tour, you’ll be amazed the minute you walk in the front door! So much over the top Victorian detail! Our guide was knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the history of the home. It’s truly amazing the interior has survived intact as it was originally intended.
Cute little gift shop and restrooms. We found affordable parking in the Spring Street garage about 2 blocks away, forget trying to park on the streets-no spots during our visit.
Cute little gift shop and restrooms. We found affordable parking in the Spring Street garage about 2 blocks away, forget trying to park on the streets-no spots during our visit.
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patriciaao586
6 contributions
Jul 2022
I love history and architecture, and there's no shortage in Portland. I wasn't aware that reservations were required to visit. When I arrived, tours run every 30-50 minutes or so, so I had to wait.
The mansion is lovely and wonderful Victorian representation. My visit was a bit underwhelming, mainly due to the tour guide. She seemed flustered and out of breath the whole time and tried to recite a scripted tour (but kept forgetting things to mention). The tour covers a few rooms over 2 floors for about 60 minutes. I left before the last room. Personally, I thought the interior entrance was the highlight.
The mansion is lovely and wonderful Victorian representation. My visit was a bit underwhelming, mainly due to the tour guide. She seemed flustered and out of breath the whole time and tried to recite a scripted tour (but kept forgetting things to mention). The tour covers a few rooms over 2 floors for about 60 minutes. I left before the last room. Personally, I thought the interior entrance was the highlight.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA2,151 contributions
Sept 2021
Victoria Mansion was a summer home for a man who made his wealth in luxury hotels. The entrance hallway is one of the most fantastic I've ever seen, with ornate gild everywhere and a stained glass skylight above the three story room. A dining room with a trompe l'oeil ceiling painted to look like wood was another highlight. Some of the other rooms in the mansion like the bedrooms were surprisingly prosaic and many have not been fully restored or are not open to view on the tour. This was a summer house not a main house, and there's also not much in the way of grounds - it's a house on a lot.
Written 2 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FunGaw4
Nottingham, MD252 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
Arrived promptly at 10am for a self-guided tour. Was told every ticket sold was for docent guided tours . And the told first tour was not until 11:50am. Why you ask? Apparently they had two bus groups arriving at 10:00am. No busses were there. At this point there is probably 20 people wanting to buy tickets. First people got 11:50 tickets. Next five got 11:15 tickets. At this point a “manager” arrived and said all tours were self guided until 1:pm. But you still could not get in until late morning. Sadly, I missed touring the mansion since I had an appointment at 12:15 down the street. Call before you go!
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jhugon
South Royalton, VT170 contributions
Jan 2023
The Christmas decorations were a bit distracting, but the mansion is a real jewel to visit. We especially enjoyed the self-guided format, with a different, knowledgeable docent showing us around each room. The fact that 95% of the furniture is original makes the visit feel less like a museum, and more like stepping into a time machine taking you back to the late 19th century.
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes. The Mansion is open until October 31st. The Mansion closes on November 1 to decorate for the holidays and reopens in Black Friday through the first week in January.
Written 18 September 2019
I would like to visit with my family, we have a toddler and baby. Is it worth visiting or too difficult with little ones?
Written 10 July 2019
If you have a stroller it would be "impossible" as far as I picture it. You have to climb 2 levels with stairs....
My husband, unfortunately, could not make it due to his usage of a cane. (there is NO elevator!)
In any event enjoy your visit.
Written 15 July 2019
Has anyone been to both the Longfellow House and the Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine? If so, how do they compare? If we have time to visit only one, which one would you recommend? Any insight on how to decide between these 2 house museums would be appreciated!
Written 24 May 2018
Both the Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Victoria Mansion are exceptionally beautiful with tours available from May to October. They are dramatically different and show how the wealthy lived in bygone eras.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grew up. It is the oldest standing building on the Portland peninsula dating back to the 1700's. It is furnished with the belongings of the two families and other articles from that era. There are two floors to see and hear about Henry and his family.
Victoria Mansion was a summer home built in 1858. I think of it as Portland's "Downton Abbey" on a small scale. It is regal like the Victorian age. The furnishings belonged to the original owner Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a Portlander who made his fortune running hotels in New Orleans.
The are both worth visiting. If you have to choose - choose the one that you would learn the most about. Longfellow House around the time of the American Revolution or Victoria Mansion in the Victorian Age of Europe.
Enjoy your trip to Portland - there is so much to see and do!
Written 25 May 2018
I see on their website they are closed until May 1st, 2018 but see people leaving reviews from mid February. Are you still allowed inside without signing up for a tour?
Written 5 April 2018
Victoria Mansion is closed in the winter except for the Holiday season from November 24 to January 7. I don’t know why there are comments in February except for the fact that they might reporting at a later date than their visit.
Written 5 April 2018
lindajalbert
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
How far are you from the cruise ship dock?
Written 17 August 2017
About 25 minutes walk or a 5 minute cab ride
Written 23 August 2017
Hello
I would like to know if this mansion has a guide tour or is it self-guided. Thank you for your time.
Written 1 June 2017
When I went it was a guided tour. Took about 30 minutes if I remember right and one went every 15 minutes. It was quite nice to hear the history and see what all they were doing. I believe it was $16 per person or somewhere in there.
Written 19 June 2017
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