Summerguide 2017 | view this story as a .pdf

Even Maine’s replicas enjoy the air of authenticity.  Step inside General Henry Knox’s graceful “Montpelier” in Thomaston.

From Staff & Wire reports

“Things are ‘Very Revolutionary’ at Montpelier this season,” says Tobin Malone of the recreated General Henry Knox Mansion of Thomaston, also known as the Knox Museum. Which begs the question, how can an exacting replica ever change? For the summer of 2017, the answer is, “from the inside out,” with an eye-popping new set of historically researched interiors.

A hero of the American Revolution, General Henry Knox (1750-1806) called the white three-story mansion home from 1795 until his death. Following years of neglect, the home steadily fell into disrepair and was eventually razed in 1871 (when the railroad says get out of the way, you get out of the way).

Historians felt sick about the loss of the famous artillery general’s home. Patriots were outraged. But like a phoenix from the ashes, Montpelier took flight again in 1929, thanks to efforts by the Knox Memorial Association. Set on a hilltop not all that far from its original waterfront location, the recreated Montpelier was filled with stunning original antiques and opened to acclaim from visitors keen for all things Colonial Revival.

Fast-forward to this summer and another stunning transformation.

Visitors to the Knox Museum will be able to travel through time and space via the eight “new” rooms opening this year,  including The Boston Room, The French Room, Women & Children, The War Room, and the Thomaston Room–just funded “with a grant from the Maine Community Foundation,” says Malone. With dimension and drama, each room seems more like a live stage that will host a different theme capturing the “life, times, and legacy of Henry Knox.” The museum will host traveling exhibitions from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Mount Vernon, and the National Society of the Cincinnati, among others.

Want to get closer to the action? Look for a number of one-off events throughout the summer, including a Revolutionary War Encampment Reenactment from July 29-31. Admission is free. As Gen. Knox would say, “Boom.”