The writer posing at the doors of his home for LIFE magazine in 1987
How many people would travel to Maine … if it weren't for the fact that it's the land of Stephen King ? The prolific writer (he has created more than 100 novels since 1974) not only often speaks of his home, but also directly or indirectly places many of his famous stories there. Of course, the place where he lived with his family soon became known, a Victorian mansion in Bangor at whose door thousands of fans have been photographed -recently, and in tribute to IT, with a red balloon in hand-.
Until not long ago, just by knocking on the door, these same followers had the opportunity to meet your idol , who was also easy to find walking the dogs or shopping at the supermarket, as can be seen in this episode of Spaniards in the World.
“The first time I met Mr. King I was in seventh grade. He had me hooked! The last year of high school I had the pleasure of meet him again at home ”, Writes the follower Linda Irwin Annett on the official Facebook page of the author, just below the announcement that he makes communicating that his home will become an archive for his works and, the adjoining house, a retreat for writers .
It's been a few years since the Kings, who bought the mansion in the 80s, hardly spend any time there. The fault seems to be, precisely, of the hordes of fans - who even arrive on bus tours! - who stopped at the door. The house, in fact, has even instagram location ("Stephen King's House).
FROM HOME TO ARCHIVE
“There has been a lot of news recently, and some misinformation , about what is happening with the house at 47 West Broadway in Bangor,” King writes in the post we alluded to earlier.
“We are beginning planning for a writers' retreat next door, which will provide accommodation for up to five at a time. The change of use, which is what has been covered by the press, was the first step”. The writer refers to the news collected by Rolling Stone, which echoed the approval, by the Bangor City Council, of residential use of the property to a non-profit entity. “ We are one or two years away from launching the retreat King continues.
The writer also explains that the archives that until now are at the University of Maine will be located in what was his home, but yes: they will be accessible only to restricted visits and by appointment. “There will be no museum, and nothing will be open to the public , but the archives will be available to researchers and academics”, he qualifies.
This is practically all the information that is known about the change, although The Columbian newspaper adds some more information provided by the family's lawyer, such as that the Kings still spend time in Maine, just in another house where they have more privacy , and that winters continue to live in Florida, with a climate much more benevolent than that of New England. Will the author's fans also find these houses and turn them into his new pilgrimage venues...?