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 Ruggles House to host its annual Christmas tea - Columbia Falls, ME Posted by:  T0SHEA
N 44° 39.126 W 067° 43.797
19T E 600703 N 4945088
Built prior to the Victorian era, the Ruggles House is one of the finest of its type in the world, with one of the finest Flying Staircases in the world.
Waymark Code: WMQB9W
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 01/27/2016
Views: 2
The historic Ruggles House, now a museum, holds an annual Christmas tea in early December, partly just to celebrate their museum and the house in which it is located and partly as a fund raiser. Admission is only $3.00. The Bangor Daily News reported the upcoming event in their November 20, 2015 issue. The article is reproduced below.
Ruggles House was the handiwork of builder and designer Aaron Sherman and woodcarver Alvah Peterson. Completed in 1820, Peterson's wood carvings alone required three years to complete. 1820, incidentally, was the same year in which Maine attained statehood. Thomas Ruggles had arrived in Maine from Rochester, Massachusetts in 1796. Here he made his fortune, exporting lumber on ships had had built. He became head of the local militia, the first postmaster (originally Plantation 13, the place was renamed Columbia in 1796), and chief justice of Court of Sessions in Washington County.
Ruggles was unable to enjoy his lovely house for long as the house, begun in 1818, was completed the year he died.
Now completely restored and furnished with period furnishings, most once belonging to the Ruggles family, the house was first opened to the public in 1950 as the Historic Ruggles House Museum. The museum is open daily each year from June 1st through mid October. A Virtual Tour of the museum is available at their website.
Ruggles House to host
its annual Christmas tea
Posted Nov. 20, 2015, at 9:17 p.m.
Last modified Nov. 23, 2015, at 11:22 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Ruggles House, 146 Main St, Columbia Falls, Maine
For more information: 207-546-7903; RugglesHouse.org
COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — The Ruggles House, 146 Main St., will host its annual Christmas tea 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Enjoy tea, mulled cider and homemade baked goods along with live music and holiday cheer. Tour one of Maine’s best examples of classic Federal architecture. The house, including the famous flying staircase, is never lovelier than when it is decorated in period style for the holidays. Find unique gifts for friends and family, including the “Ruggles House” book in the gift shop. Tea will be served by Teas of Cherryfield and live music will be provided by Cole Creek. Admission is $3. For information email Leslie McSorley at RugglesHouse@gmail.com or visit RugglesHouse.org.
From the Bangor Daily News
Ruggles House
The Ruggles House, known as the "House with the Wonderful Carvings" was built by Aaron Sherman of Duxbury Falls, Massachusetts. He constructed a number of homes in the Columbia Falls area, but the Ruggles House is considered to be his finest effort.
The owner of the house was Thomas Ruggles, who came to Columbia Falls in 1770 from Rochester, Massachusetts, over the course of years he became the area's largest owner of timberland. He was owner of a sawmill, postmaster, merchant, captain of the militia, shipbuilder and owner of a fleet of lumber carrying vessels. He was also justice of the court in Machias.
Ruggles died soon after the house was completed in 1820. His last survivor died in the 1920s. The house was left unattended until 1938 when Miss Chandler, a descendent of the builder rallied support for its preservation.
When Sherman had completed his tasks, Judge Ruggles imported one of the finest wood carvers in England to decorate the interior of the house, this man, whose name is unknown, spent over three years at his painstaking labours. For his efforts he received over $3,000.00 for the parlor carving alone.
The "Flying" staircase is held in such high regard that the Metropolitan Museum once offered Miss Chandler $1000.00 for it. The late Harrison Williams, a noted architect, said that it is the only flying staircase of its period anywhere that never has needed repairs or reinforcement, and that Haggles House is one of the amplest and most spaciously planned small houses in the world.
In 1949 the Ruggles House Society was formed to restore the house and open it to public display. The group is currently in charge of the house.
From the NRHP Nomination Form
Type of publication: Newspaper
When was the article reported?: 11/20/2015
Publication: Bangor Daily News
Article Url: [Web Link]
Is Registration Required?: no
How widespread was the article reported?: regional
News Category: Society/People
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