Skip to main content

Stephen King’s Maine Mansion to Become a One-of-a-Kind Writer’s Retreat

As one of the most prolific writers of the last 50 years, Stephen King evolved beyond a “mere” horror novelist to become a full-blown pop-culture icon. Soon, fans of his books (if not his often clunky film adaptations) will be able to experience the writer’s life, legacy, and inspiration as he looks to convert his Bangor, Maine estate into a one-of-a-kind writer’s retreat.

In October, Stephen King and wife Tabitha received the Bangor City Council’s approval to rezone their home as a non-profit entity. They intend to archive a large selection of King’s work as a museum of sorts in the main house on the property. It will open to scholars and researchers by appointment only. A second guest house will serve as a writer’s retreat, housing up to five budding writers at a time. The house and the town of Bangor, where the Kings have lived for decades, inspired many of his most acclaimed books. Sadly, King himself is unlikely to be on-property during the retreats, but we imagine he’ll be there in spirit (get it?).

While the King’s still technically live in Bangor, they admit to spending considerable time at their other homes in Florida and Oxford County, Maine. Yet, the blood-red Bangor mansion continues to be a popular tourist attraction where visitors often crowd the ornate gate outside for selfies. For these two reasons, the couple is looking to give back to their fans and to Bangor in a discreet and respectful way. A city planner told Rolling Stone, “They did not want the house to become a Dollywood or some kind of tourist attraction. That would bring all sorts of people to the neighborhood, and they have other neighbors that live there.”

The writers’ retreat at the King House is still in its earliest phases, so exact details are thin. King confirmed on Facebook that the recent zoning changes are only the first step. It will be another year or so before the house opens its doors as a retreat. Given the town of Bangor’s love for the author, however, it’s likely they’ll fast-track the entire project.

If you’re looking for a refresher on his dizzying body of work, check out our picks for the best Stephen King books, ranked.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
12 classic sci-fi books everyone should read
If you love science fiction and reading, these classic sci-fi novels are a must
Man reading a book and drinking coffee

It may feel like we were recently living in a science-fiction dystopia life -- and in some ways, we were -- but that doesn't mean that we should simply avoid an entire genre of writing. Hardly. In fact, this is probably the perfect time to explore classic sci-fi books, to see what the masters have written, and maybe even see if someone predicted anything like this. Many, though, simply ignore sci-fi wholly and completely because of an association with robots, aliens, and the like.

Long story short, if you think you don't like sci-fi, you have never read great books from the genre. But indeed, many such books abound, including a number that has delighted generations of readers going back well over 150 years. In fact, one of the best things about so many sci-fi books is their very timelessness. As by definition, this type of fiction breaks away from the norms of the everyday world -- whether slightly twisting things or taking place on entire other worlds -- the stories often feel as fresh and relevant today as when they were published decades ago.

Read more
The 7 best classic fantasy books to get lost in
Even adults can enjoy entering the fantasy world
Man reading a book

Using the term "fantasy" when it comes to fiction, we are admittedly casting a pretty wide net. After all, think about just how many shows and movies could technically be considered fantasy, too. If. we're talking about classic, canonical fantasy, though, the net shrinks considerably. If a book is to stand the test of time to be considered a classic -- regardless of genre -- it has to be damn good. At the risk of offending plenty of authors and fantasy fans both of yesteryear and today, most fantasy writing ... how should I put this? In a few decades, it won't be on some future writer's list of fantasy classics.

I say all that as an absolute fan of fantasy writing. From the Game of Thrones books, our era's Lord of the Rings, to the novels of Neil Gaiman, to the Twilight series (except not that), there is a plethora of great fantasy writing being produced today. But if you're looking to get into the genre or are already an aficionado with a few gaps in your reading list, classic fantasy novels are always a fine choice, as are classic mysteries, classic adventure books, and on it goes across every genre of literature.

Read more
How do cigars make you feel? My experience as a cigar smoker
Man smoking a cigar in a newsboy cap outside.

Most enthusiasts and cigar lovers smoke for more than just the appearance. In other words, it's not about looking cool or suave but about the experience itself. Smoking a good cigar is flavorful, pleasurable, and relaxing, and, on occasion, may even make you feel light-headed or give you a slight buzz -- although it's nothing like drinking or imbibing other common substances. For someone who's never smoked before or is interested in getting into the hobby, wondering just how cigars make you feel is a valid concern. What can you expect, and what is it about cigars that change the experience for better or worse?
How does a cigar make you feel?

For the most part, a cigar experience is pleasurable and relaxing, but nothing more. You don't smoke to feel something, so it's not like drinking alcohol or taking other substances in the sense that you're doing it to chase a particular feeling. If you like drinking for the taste or the flavors, that's the best comparison to smoking a cigar. A good cigar will be aromatic but also leaves a lot of nuanced flavor on your tongue and, if you retro-hale, in your nostrils. You'll get hints of chocolate, coffee, leather, spice, and maybe even some sweet tones like fruit. It depends on the cigar and the blend.

Read more