Friday, April 5, 2013

Jonathan Fisher House

Parson Jonathan Fisher homestead

An earlier photo in deep snow, taken 3 March, 2009.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 001

The yellow house is a well known landmark in Blue Hill, Maine. The home, which is now a museum, belonged to the town's first Congregational minister and was, in fact, built by Parson Jonathan Fisher with the help of his neighbors. The frame went up in a day in 1812 and the house was completed in 1814.

The parson was a stern shepherd who preached a rigid code of behavior and unquestioning devotion to God to his flock, but he demanded far more of himself than he did of his parishioners. Jonathan Fisher was a builder, architect, draftsman, artist, inventor, writer, scholar and more. One can still see the imprint of his personality in his home today.

I have wanted to photograph the interior of the Parson Fisher House on a winter's day for a long time. The project I envisioned was a study of the natural light, to capture the essence of the rooms as they were long ago. I imagined the parson and his wife, Dolly, looking through the same windows feeling just as anxious for spring as I am now. New president, Amey Dodge, kindly gave up a morning to let me in with my camera.

The house will not open until mid July so many artifacts are still packed away for safekeeping. Pink insulation board covers the fireplaces and green rug pads are scattered across the floors. I touched nothing and simply set up my camera, shutter release cable and tripod. The conditions were challenging and, by mid morning, the sun was already higher than I would have liked. To complicate things further, fast moving clouds obscured sunlight and I had to rapidly change settings throughout the shoot.

The following photos are from my project. Clicking on the photos will take you to Flickr, once there, please click on the photo again to see in Lightbox and once more on Fullscreen to experience a March morning at the Jonathan Fisher House.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 030

Jonathan Fisher's self portrait.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 002

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 005

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 008

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 009

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 010

Jonathan Fisher's study.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 011

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 012

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 014

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 017

Upstairs hall with partial view of Jonathan Fisher's bedroom.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 019

Looking into the children's bedroom.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 020

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 021

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 023

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 024

Desk made by Jonathan Fisher.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 025

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 018

Stairs to the attic, a space that was often used for visitors while Jonathan Fisher lived in the house. Rustic and unfinished, there is little to see today apart from a collection of shoe forms in many sizes.

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 028

Parson Jonathan Fisher House ~ March 027

The Fisher House Journal provides additional views and more information on past projects at the museum.

9 comments:

  1. Wonderful! I love these old homes.... Going thru them and thinking about their everyday lives and oh the changes in the world....
    Just discovered the Barn castle restaurant and had dinner there Thursday with some family!! The stories those old buildings could tell !! Thank you for sharing!
    Rain :)

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  2. Rain ~ So glad you enjoyed the post on Jonathan Fisher! Stop by for a visit this summer when the house is open and all the paintings, textiles and rugs are on display. You will be amazed!

    We almost went to Barncastle on Thursday and then decided to stay home...it had been a long day. I love the building and have taken many photos there. The rooms upstairs are wonderful!

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  3. I've always wanted a yellow house! these photos are beautiful :)

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    Replies
    1. Real College Student of Atlanta ~ I love yellow houses too, especially in Maine where they add a cheerful spot of color over a long winter.

      Thank you very much for your kind compliment on the photos and for stopping by!

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  4. I really want to see this place now :)I am going to add it to my travel bucket list

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist ~ Thank you! I hope you will travel to Maine someday, but I warn you...once you've visited, you'll return again and again.

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    2. I have no doubt that I will. I really look forward to it actually! I want to see all the sights!

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  5. Sure looks like a house to visit and have a look through, love looking at the older homes as they have more of a history to them.

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  6. Pat Hatt ~ So happy you enjoyed the tour. Thank you for stopping by!

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