The Mansion House, the original inn at the Poland Spring resort which was constructed in 1797. What began as an inn for travelers along the route from Portland to Montreal had become, by the mid to late 19th century, a popular summer resort where visitors spent months relaxing in the fresh Maine air and enjoying a variety of cultural and physical activities.

Hiram Ricker (1809-1893) and his wife, Janette Wheeler Bolster (1821-1883) operated the resort. Their children, Edward Payson Ricker (1847-1928), Alvan Bolster Ricker (1850-1933), Hiram Weston Ricker (1857-1930), Sarah Little Ricker (1860-1953) and Janette Maria Ricker (1865-1944) also were involved in the operation. A daughter, Cynthia Ella Ricker Marsh (1852-1937), moved away and was less involved.

In the photo are: Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Hill, son and her mother; Mrs. and Miss Knight; Mr. and Mrs. Perkins and son; Mr. and Mrs. Borland and his children; Miss McCall; Harry Hayward and Sawyer Hayward Jr.; Mrs. Coit; Misses Berry – brother and uncle; Mrs. Sutton; Mr. Milliken and daughters; Mr. Livingstone; Mr. and Mrs. Smith and daughter; Mrs. Morrison & Mamie & son; Miss Johnson & Miss L[?]; Mrs. Jennings
Margurite Carter & Master Needles; and Mrs. Bennett.