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Stephen King's $135,000 Maine home holds archives, funds writer residencies

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The historic Bangor estate now dedicates its Victorian mansion to safeguarding Stephen King's private papers, which are open exclusively by appointment to scholars. Right next door, the Brown Mansion offers invited creators a quiet workspace featuring private rooms, stocked kitchens, and nightly group dinners. This non-profit mission was enabled by a 2019 municipal rezoning that authorized contract operations on the 3.27-acre property.

Key points

  • The private archive strictly serves researchers and literary scholars rather than operati…: The private archive strictly serves researchers and literary scholars rather than operating as a public tourist attraction.
  • An anonymous review process selects candidates, focusing on demographics like K-12 educat…: An anonymous review process selects candidates, focusing on demographics like K-12 educators, Maine writers, and recent MFA graduates.
  • The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation administers the facilities to support emerging cr…: The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation administers the facilities to support emerging creators while preserving the 1858 landmark.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Forty-six years after Stephen King bought a red Victorian mansion in Bangor, Maine, for $135,000, the famous property has officially become a centre for literary research and a place where working writers can focus on their work. The dark red Second Empire house at 47 West Broadway is well known for its unusual wrought-iron gate decorated with bats and webbed gargoyles. It now holds King's large collection of literary archives. Next door, the historic Brown Mansion operates as a fully funded writers' retreat. Selected writers can stay for 10 days and receive a $2,500 stipend. According to official information published by The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the non-profit organisation founded by the bestselling author and his wife, the two projects give selected writers dedicated time to write, comfortable accommodation, and financial support. They also help preserve the historic neighbourhood.

Historic home transformed for literary preservation

King and his wife, Tabitha, bought the house, which was built in 1858, in 1980 for $135,000. For more than four decades, the former home of a wealthy timber businessman served as the couple's…

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