Castle Tucker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle Tucker |
|
|---|---|
Castle Tucker, Wiscasset, Maine.
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Victorian Mansion |
| Location | Wiscasset, Maine |
| Current tenants | Museum |
| Completed | 1807 |
| Owner | Historic New England |
Castle Tucker is a beautiful old house in Wiscasset, Maine. It's like stepping back in time! Today, a group called Historic New England owns it. You can visit it from Wednesday to Sunday, between June 1st and October 15th.
Contents
What is Castle Tucker?
Castle Tucker is a historic mansion built in 1807. It's known for its unique style and how well it has been kept over the years. The house shows us what life was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Who Built Castle Tucker?
This amazing house was built in 1807 by a judge named Silas Lee. It was built in a fancy style called Regency architecture. Back then, Wiscasset was a very busy port town. It was even busier than places like Boston!
Why Did Judge Lee Sell the House?
Sadly, Judge Lee passed away in 1814. Also, a new law called the Embargo of 1807 made it hard for ships to trade. This caused money problems for many people, including Judge Lee's family. His wife had to sell the house.
The Tucker Family Moves In
The house changed owners a few times. Then, in 1858, a sea captain named Richard H. Tucker, Jr. bought it. He came from a family of ship owners in Wiscasset. Captain Tucker, his young wife Mollie, and their new baby moved into the house in November 1858.
How Did the Tuckers Change the House?
The Tuckers made some cool updates to the house. They changed the inside to make it more modern for their time. They also added a new entrance on the Lee Street side. In 1859, Captain Tucker added a big, two-story porch. This porch faced the Sheepscot River and was a dramatic new feature.
Life at Castle Tucker
Captain Tucker and Mollie raised five children in the house. Captain Tucker also managed different businesses. He owned wharves (places where ships dock) and an iron foundry. This foundry was a factory that made things from iron, located right below their house.
How Did the Family Make Money?
By the 1880s, it became harder to make enough money. Mollie, Captain Tucker's wife, started letting people stay in their house during the summers. These people were called "boarders." This helped them pay for things. Mollie and her youngest daughter, Jane, also got creative. They sold homemade baked goods and hand-painted china. They even raised young pigeons, called squab, to sell to local restaurants!
Preserving Castle Tucker
After Captain Tucker passed away, Jane, his youngest daughter, moved back home. She lived with her mother, Mollie, in the house. These two women worked hard to keep the house in good condition. They wanted to make sure it stayed just as it was.
Mollie passed away in 1922, and Jane in 1964. Jane's niece, Jane Standen Tucker, then moved to Wiscasset from California. She continued the family's work of preserving the house. She made very few changes to how the house was decorated. Because of their dedication, Castle Tucker looks almost exactly like it did in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Visiting Castle Tucker Today
Today, Historic New England owns Castle Tucker. They keep it open for visitors. It's a fantastic place to learn about history and see how a family lived over a hundred years ago. You can visit the house from Wednesday to Sunday, between June 1st and October 15th.
