In the 1860's Herman Melville often visited New Bedford, Massachusetts and enjoyed the comforts of his sister's home. Now his experience can be yours.
The Melville House stands on an historic street lined with stately federal and Victorian mansions built by 19th century sea captains. This restored 1855 Italian Empire house, originally built as a wedding gift by a wealthy sea merchant for his daughter, was once owned by Herman Melville's sister, Katherine and her husband, engineer and poet John Hoadley, who had become close to Melville. Read more...
Melville Connection
| The Melville Connection |
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 Herman Melville Herman Melville came here as a guest of his sister and her husband on numerous occasions, but had created no excitement locally on his visits as he was no celebrity at this time nor in his lifetime. It was during these visits that Herman Melville and John Hoadley became closer friends. Hoadley then commissioned Joseph Eaton, the portrait artist, to immortalize himself, his wife Kate and Melville in portrait form. There may not have been a 20 cent commemmorative stamp with Melville on it without Hoadley, because he was the one who persuaded Melville to pose for the portrait. That portrait now hangs at the Houghton Library at Harvard University. Click to see the portrait info page... Or a slightly larger version of it along with other authors/reformers, including Frederick Douglass (www.usinfo.state.gov)... Apparently, Melville and Hoadley got along well as Melville sought solace at the house after his son, Malcom commited suicide. Hoadley was much more than a brother-in-law because he talked to Charles Sumner in Washington, in an effort to secure Melville a consul post in Italy. However, the only job available at the time was in the U.S. Customs House in New York City, where Melville worked until his latter years. See an illustration from Moby Dick called "The Battering Ram"...
    Over the years, many historians have toured the site to get a feel for where the author had visited, and now that 100 Madison Street is a Bed and Breakfast, many present day scholars of Melville are amongst its many guests. One in particular, Dr. Jill Barnum, then President of the Melville Society wrote in the Guest Book (Outstanding - peaceful and spiritual, healing and nourishing- Melville's energy to all who rest here.") In 2003, while on a visit form her native Great Britain, the late internationally renowned spiritualist, Marjorie Kite, said while observing Melville's spirit "He seemed very pleased with the present owners and guests by their honoring him and his lifelong work." |