Nathaniel Palmer Mansion in Stonington

When we visited Stonington, I took a few more pictures and thought you might enjoy seeing some of the other sites besides the lighthouse. 

Part of our admission fee to the lighthouse included admission to the Nathaniel Palmer mansion.  It's located at  the other end of the city and built on a hill with a magnificent view of the city and ocean. This 16-room Victorian mansion was built in 1852 by two brothers, Captains Nathaniel Brown Palmer and Alexander Smith Palmer. It was common for family members to share the same household. Their sisters also lived in the home with their families too. From its octagonal cupola, the family could identify ships arriving from distant ports.

Our tour guide explained the home was sold along with the belongings when times were tough. Fortunately, the home was eventually purchased by the Stonington Historical Society and is being restored.

Just as a little background, Nathaniel Palmer was born in 1799. He and his younger brother Alexander went to sea at an early age. Nathaniel became a ship's master before his 19th birthday as did Alexander by the time he was 21. They were young men who ventured into the most desolate regions of the world in search of profits from sealing and whaling. During a voyage to the South Atlantic in search for new seal habitats, Nathaniel sighted "land not yet laid down on my chart." He had discovered a place which would later become known as Palmer Land on the continent of Antarctica. This was before Admiral Byrd.

Look at all the fine china in the literal china closet off of the main dining room.

We were impressed with the ornate crown molding.

The day we visited Stonington, the hydrangeas were in glorious, full bloom. Ah, a late spring piece of eye candy! Look how large the blooms are.