In 1795 Thomas Ruggles left Massachusetts to seek his fortune in the wilderness that would become Columbia Falls, Maine
He purchased land, harvested and sold timber, became a successful merchant. He married Ruth Clapp in XXXX and brought her to Maine. And in 1818…
He built a house.
Built in, what was then, the latest style, the Ruggles House is classic Federal architecture. Clean lines, simple but elegant.
But still has a few touches of country whimsey
And the famous Flying Staircase
Tragically, Thomas only lived in the house a short time. He died in 1820.
His wife Ruth lived there for another XX years.
On his mother’s death in 18XX, ownership of the house passed to Thomas and Ruth’s son Frederick Augustus Ruggles.
Lizzie Emily Frederick and his wife Caroline had two daughters.
Over the years, the fortune Thomas Ruggles made dwindled away. Frederick and Caroline lived into old age and Lizzie and Emily had little to no income. The house fell into disrepair.
Lizzie continued to live in the house, alone until her death in 1920. She did her best to save what she could and dreamed of restoring her grandfather’s home to it’s original grandeur.
In 1920 Mary Ruggles Chandler came to the rescue. Together with other family members, she began the long process of rescuing and restoring the house.
A true “modern” woman, Mary Chandler was the first woman pharmacist in the state of Maine. She enlisted preservation experts in Boston and secured financial backing in Bar Harbor.
Several family items remained and many others were returned by descendents.
And in 1950, after 30 years of work, the Ruggles House was opened to the public. “Aunt May” as she was known, was one of the first docents and gave tours until her death in 19XX.
The Ruggles house Society is pleased to be able to present the house as if the family has just stepped out. Over 70% of the collection is Ruggles Family items.
We celebrate Aunt May and her use of medicinal plants with an herb garden beside the house.
The newest exhibit includes the less glamorous working side of history, with a period laundry room and tool display
