Want to hear fascinating stories, see exquisite 18th century furnishings and objects that will make you smile? Come to Historic New England’s 1762 Bowman House in Dresden for this special extended tour Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Whether you are new to the house or have already taken the regular tour, here is your opportunity to take it slower and really get a chance to look at things and ask questions. Join Site Manager Peggy Konitzky for a leisurely, two-hour tour of this stunning house. Tickets are $15 for Historic New England members, $25 for nonmembers: https://my.historicnewengland.org/27305/take-time-bow-827 or by calling 207-882-7169. Space is limited. 

The house was built for Judge Jonathan Bowman by the same architect who built the Pownalborough Courthouse. Inside his house on the Maine frontier, Bowman created a home comparable to the finest mansions in Boston. He and his wife Mary raised four children here during the tumultuous years of the American Revolution and the establishment of a new nation. After Bowman’s death in 1804, the Carneys made the house their family home until 1861. For the next 40 years, the house was used for offices and housing for several ice companies. 

A series of historic preservationists recognized the rare survival of the building and passed ownership between them for another two decades. Amazingly, the house remained in almost pristine original condition through it all. In 1965, entrepreneur and historic preservationist Bill Waters and his partner Cyrus Pinkham bought the property and later gifted it to Historic New England. For the next 50 years, Bill Waters lovingly restored the house to recreate Bowman’s world, including the return of many original Bowman pieces.

For more information visit https://www.historicnewengland.org/property/bowman-house