After the shipbuilding and merchant trade had all but flickered out at the end of the 19th century, artists who came to be known as the "American Impressionists" took a fancy to this area. They received encouragement, patronage, and even food and shelter from "Miss Florence," the wealthy daughter of a sea captain. Falling upon hard times later in life, she decided to open her Georgian-Federal 1817 mansion to boarders. It became the temporary home for a number of painters, many of whom left samples of their work in gratitude, sometimes painting directly on the walls of the dining room. Among her grateful guests was Childe Hassam, considered the grand master of the American Impressionists.
Now a National Historic Landmark, the "Flo Gris" was closed for 14 months in 2005 and 2006 for extensive restoration and refurnishing, including the installation of geothermal environmental systems that draw energy for cooling and heating from wells on the property. Visitors can stroll the mansion's property to take in its old-fashioned garden or picnic on the banks of the small Lieutenant River.
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