Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
In 1985, photographer Elijah Cobb photographed the "Yellow House," also known as the Laura E. Richards House, a historic home in Gardiner. Built around 1810, it was famous for its connection to the Pulitzer Prize winning author who lived there for the majority of her writing career.
Cobb's mother and aunt, Rosalind Cobb Wiggins and Laura E. Putnam, authored a series of essay-length labels to accompany his portfolio. The dining room photograph essay reads:
"We are standing in the doorway to the entry between the kitchen, porch, and back stairs. The book-lined hallway in the opposite wall leads into the front entry. Formal Sunday dinner at one o’clock always followed the service at Christ Church. It was announced by John’s first being notified, then going himself to ring the chimes. He usually played a medley of music from both bells and gong. The alcove, beyond the widest opening, where the sideboard stands and H.R.’s portrait hangs, was once the 'gun room.' Along the near wall hung two huge rolls of paper, one heavy brown, one white. These were like a legacy from the paper mill in South Gardiner, that the Richards family had once owned and operated. On the opposite wall was a long rack of shot guns. It was a familiar room to the granddaughters because they were expected to help whoever was serving the meal by fetching the silver from the iron bound chest that stood under the single window. Fragrance of hand work stirred as one entered; linseed oil, turpentine, beeswax, laced with a trace of cloves."
About This Item
- Title: Dining Room, Yellow House, Gardiner, ca. 1985
- Creator: Elijah Cobb
- Creation Date: circa 1985
- Subject Date: circa 1985
- Location: Gardiner, Kennebec County, ME
- Media: photographic print
- Dimensions: 35.6 cm x 27.9 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 2085, RG 39/9
- Collection: The Yellow House papers, Laura E. Richards collection
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Authors, American
- Corridors
- Dining room furniture
- Dining rooms
- Dinners and dining
- House furnishings
- Interior architecture
- Tableware
- Women authors, American--Maine--Gardiner
- Yellow House (Gardiner, Me.)
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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