Neal Dow’s son, Col. Fred N. Dow, was a prominent political figure, publisher, and adherent to his father's principles. He inherited his father’s home of 67 years, after Neal Dow died in 1897. Because of the cherished memory of his father, Fred Dow willed the family mansion and its contents to the Maine Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which worked so tirelessly alongside Neal Dow for the same causes. Fred’s purpose in endowing the house to the WCTU was to present a lasting memorial of his father’s historic accomplishments for citizens and guests of this nation to enjoy.
Col. Fred Dow wished to “preserve in some useful form, in the city of his birth and life-long home, the memory of one who won fame for Portland and for the State of Maine; who became more widely known than any other who was born and spent his life in Portland; who impressed his views upon the legislation of his native state, and other states and lands to an extent equaled by few, in an age, or in any clime, and whom it was written by a distinguished citizen of another state, more than three-quarters of a century ago [around the time of Neal Dow’s death], ‘His name is one of the few, the immortal names that were not born to die.’”
The Maine WCTU administers the Neal Dow House as a living institution, serving the community in accordance with Neal Dow and his son, Fred Dow’s, wishes for the Lord he served, and for the betterment of mankind.
For more information on the Maine WCTU go to mewctu.com.
Col. Fred Dow wished to “preserve in some useful form, in the city of his birth and life-long home, the memory of one who won fame for Portland and for the State of Maine; who became more widely known than any other who was born and spent his life in Portland; who impressed his views upon the legislation of his native state, and other states and lands to an extent equaled by few, in an age, or in any clime, and whom it was written by a distinguished citizen of another state, more than three-quarters of a century ago [around the time of Neal Dow’s death], ‘His name is one of the few, the immortal names that were not born to die.’”
The Maine WCTU administers the Neal Dow House as a living institution, serving the community in accordance with Neal Dow and his son, Fred Dow’s, wishes for the Lord he served, and for the betterment of mankind.
For more information on the Maine WCTU go to mewctu.com.
