This is my sixth summer here, following my sixth spring of watching the lilacs come paint the borders of these grounds deep pink and purple, the two magnolia trees whiten like snow and tease the bees out of their sleepy hives, a red cardinal crowning those snowy trees as they blossom. 

In 5 1/2 years, I’ve gotten used to living with the ghosts of Fred Payne and Edmund S. Muskie and Percival Baxter and others. I imagine they still care for this place, and that they are still sad to leave. 

I think about the Milliken’s seven children and their pets running around these grounds more than a hundred years ago.

Gov. Percival Baxter and his Irish setter, “Garry Owen."

Gov. Barrows and his pet squirrel “Peanuts."

I think about when JFK visited here and spent several hours with Gov. Clint Clauson in November of 1959, trying to convince Gov. Clauson to endorse him in his upcoming campaign for president. Word was that Clauson was prepared to endorse Kennedy but he died suddenly a month later before making his endorsement public.  

Gov. Janet T. MillsI think of John & Cora Reed, who refurbished the Reception Room. It was during his term as governor that the Blaine House was designated a National Historic Landmark by Sec. of the Interior Stewart Udall. 

I think about Maine’s youngest governor, Ken Curtis, now our oldest surviving former governor, and his wife Polly and their two little girls Susan and Angel who were here for two terms. 

Polly Curtis took pride in completely redoing the state dining room during that time, including purchasing the beautiful chandelier of Bohemian lead crystal imported from Czechoslovakia.

Governor and now Senator Angus King, former First Lady Mary Herman, Governor Janet T. Mills, former First Lady Karen Baldacci, Governor John Baldacci, Senator and former First Lady Olympia Snowe, and Governor John McKernan.There are times in the evenings, when I am alone, that I sit down at the Steinway piano donated by Gov. John Reed, I make myself comfortable on the needlepoint piano bench cover emblazoned with the state seal, a gift and creation of Mrs. Helen Longley, before I play a few tunes.

I envision Joe Brennan, who fought off the raccoons that devoured his small vegetable garden and who restored the James G. Blaine Game Room to its former splendor, and how David Flanagan accidentally discovered the beautiful birch and mahogany floor under the linoleum and carpeting in that room. 

And Gov. John and Karen Baldacci and their son Jack who resided here for eight full years.  Dear Karen who fought to install a greenhouse on these grounds — I’m so very glad you did!

Senator Angus King (Maine’s Governor 1995-2003), Governor John McKernan (Maine’s Governor 1987-1995), Governor John Baldacci (Maine’s Governor 2003-2011).I think about Jock McKernan playing tennis with son Peter right over there where many of you were standing, while Olympia met with architects to plan the renovation of the entrance of the mansion with the Blaine House Restoration Fund which she and Jock created.

It is thanks to Jock & Olympia that the Blaine House got a marvelous redo, inside and out — from the Olmstead gardens to the grand entrance, to the First Family photo gallery in the game room, right up to the cupola on the top of the garage where the Moose Weathervane still presides over the entire premises!

Gov. Angus King and Mary Herman — although they didn’t live here full-time, they made sure the property was properly maintained, and Mary was in charge of selecting a new set of dishes that are so elegant.

Paul and Ann LePage, who contributed furniture and who hosted many lovely teas in this house. 

Among other things, all of us going back to Gov. McKernan have hosted the Annual Bikers’ Tea, a great gathering of rough ’n ready motorcycle enthusiasts and a fun event!

I think too of the many famous guests who have walked through these doors:

Ambassadors from all over the world, Johnny Cash, Elizabeth Arden, David Rockefeller, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, General Ulysses S. Grant, Pres. Herbert Hoover, and many more.

I want to acknowledge the three governors who are here and thank them for their service and for their stewardship of this place:  Gov. Jock McKernan. Gov., and now US Senator, Angus King. Gov. John Baldacci.

Gov. Ken Curtis, now age 93, and Gov. Paul LePage sent their regrets as they were unable to join us.

I thank all of you for being here today to support the Friends of the Blaine House, contributing to the preservation and improvement of this historic mansion and its grounds.