In 1980, Stephen King bought a $135,000 Victorian mansion in Maine; today, it preserves his literary archives

Stephen King’s association with Bangor, Maine, goes beyond the fictional horror stories that have made him one of the world’s best-known authors. A striking Victorian property that he and his wife, Tabitha King, purchased in 1980 has since taken on a different purpose.

The former family home is now intended to preserve the author’s literary legacy, while a neighbouring historic mansion provides a place for selected writers to work on their projects.The couple bought the property at 47 West Broadway for $135,000. Its distinctive red exterior and elaborate black wrought-iron entrance gate, featuring bats, spiders and other Gothic details, have made it one of Bangor’s most recognisable houses.

The property also has a connection to the city that influenced the setting of King’s 1986 horror novel It.

Stephen King’s former home is now a centre for literary preservation

King and Tabitha spent several decades associated with the Bangor residence, where they raised their family. However, the couple eventually decided that the property could serve a wider purpose than remaining a private home.In 2019, the Bangor City Council approved their proposal to convert the property into a nonprofit centre.

The plan included moving King’s extensive collection of literary material to the residence. The archive contains manuscripts, photographs, personal notes, articles, audio recordings, videos and other documents connected to his writing career.The collection offers researchers and scholars an opportunity to explore the work and creative history of the bestselling author. Access to the archive is available by appointment rather than through regular public tours.

Brown Mansion offers writers a 10-day residency and $2,500

Another important part of the project is located next door. The historic Brown Mansion has been developed into a writers’ retreat under the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.The programme invites selected writers to spend 10 days at the property, giving them an opportunity to concentrate on their creative projects away from their usual routines. Participants receive private bedrooms and bathrooms, shared living spaces, access to a stocked kitchen and nightly dinners during their stay.The foundation also provides each selected writer with a $2,500 honorarium. The amount can be used towards travel expenses or other personal requirements, allowing participants to make the most of their residency.The retreat is designed to bring together small groups of writers, offering them both privacy and opportunities to interact with other creative professionals. Its location also gives residents access to Bangor’s local community.

A property that connects Stephen King’s legacy with emerging writers

The transformation of the two properties reflects a broader effort by Stephen and Tabitha King to support literature and preserve the author’s work. Instead of turning the famous residence into a conventional tourist attraction, the couple chose to give it a role centred on research, writing and literary preservation.The archive safeguards material from King’s decades-long career, while the neighbouring retreat provides financial assistance and dedicated working space to writers selected for the programme.What began as a $135,000 property purchase in 1980 has therefore developed into a literary project with two distinct purposes: preserving the work of an established author and creating opportunities for other writers to develop their own.