The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation

For millions of horror and mystery fans, the city of Bangor has become a true place of pilgrimage. This is where you'll find the Stephen and Tabitha King House—a majestic blood-red Victorian mansion that served as the prototype for many mysterious estates in the "King of Horror's" works. Today, the building serves not only as the family's personal residence but also as the headquarters for their charitable foundation.

This site in the USA is a unique blend of a celebrity's private life and an active community center. The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation directs significant resources toward supporting education, culture, and healthcare in the state of Maine. For tourists, the location is valuable primarily for its atmosphere: the famous wrought-iron gates featuring bats and spiders instantly transport visitors into the world of the fictional town of Derry.

The building is highly rated by travelers because it offers a touch of the living legacy of one of today's most widely read authors. While the interior of the house is closed to the public, the sight of the mansion on West Broadway and the understanding of the King family's contributions to the local community make it a must-see on any New England itinerary.

For those planning to visit this iconic site and looking for more details, we have prepared the latest contact information. Having this data on hand will help you better coordinate your itinerary through the landmarks of Bangor.

Below are the official contact methods for the organization located at the famous residence:

The main activity for any guest is a detailed look at the building's exterior and its famous fence. The wrought-iron gates, adorned with Gothic motifs, are perhaps the most photographed object in the city. Fans of the author's work can spend hours studying the details, trying to guess which scenes from his books might have been born behind these walls.

At the foundation itself, you can find information about current charitable projects. You will learn how proceeds from bestsellers are transformed into student scholarships or grants for local hospitals. Occasionally, public events or themed meetings are held here, dedicated to the King family's cultural contribution to the development of Maine.

Visiting the King home is often part of a larger tour of the author's "places of power" in Bangor. A walk through the neighborhood lets you see the city as Stephen King saw it when creating his most famous characters. It is the perfect place for those who want to feel the connection between real-world philanthropy and the dark charm of a literary legacy.

The King home and foundation are located at 47 W Broadway, in one of the city's most picturesque neighborhoods. If you are arriving from afar, it is most convenient to use Bangor International Airport (BGR), which is just a 15-minute drive or taxi ride from the site.

For those traveling through the USA by car, your main landmark will be the I-95 highway. After turning toward downtown Bangor, proceed along Broadway. Parking can usually be found near the building, making the visit very convenient for road trippers. The drive takes about 2.5 hours from Portland and 4 to 5 hours from Boston.

If you prefer public transport, the Bangor Metro bus system operates in the city, with stops within walking distance of the residence. However, many tourists opt for a walk from the downtown area—it takes about 10–15 minutes and allows you to enjoy the classic Maine architecture.

The history of this place is inextricably linked to Stephen King's ascent to the heights of the literary world. The foundation was established by the couple in the late 1980s, after the writer had already become a global celebrity following the success of the novel Carrie. It was Tabitha King who played a decisive role in saving the manuscript of that book, which eventually brought the family their first significant royalties and allowed them to engage in philanthropy on such a scale.

Stephen King has always adhered to a specific philosophy: "The one who has received more must give back more." This belief grew out of his own difficult childhood, when he wrote his first stories and received mere cents for them from his mother. After becoming successful, he began systematically supporting his home state of Maine, donating millions of dollars to education, healthcare, and the needs of low-income families—including a famous instance where he donated $70,000 for heating fuel for Bangor residents.

The foundation building itself is a monument of its era. The Kings moved to Bangor because Stephen attended the local university and always felt a connection to this land. Over the years, their residence transformed from a simple family home into a center for philanthropy, which also supports young talent through the "Dollar Babies" program, allowing aspiring filmmakers to adapt the author's short stories for a symbolic fee.

Usually, it takes tourists about 30 to 60 minutes to see the site. This is plenty of time to leisurely admire the home's unique architecture, the famous wrought-iron gates, and take some atmospheric photos.

If you are lucky enough to attend one of the public events or lectures occasionally held under the foundation's auspices, you should budget about 1.5–2 hours. In any case, a visit here is easy to combine with a sightseeing tour of other "King-themed" locations in the city.

At this time, there are no official hours for visiting the interior, as the building remains a private residence and the office of a charitable organization. You can view the house from the outside and photograph the famous gates at any time during daylight hours.

To get the latest information on potential events or changes in access to the grounds, we recommend checking the official foundation website before planning your trip.

Exploring the area around the King house allows you to dive deeper into the Maine atmosphere and see the city through the eyes of the great writer. Many sites within walking distance have preserved the spirit of old New England that so often inspired the author's mystical worlds.

A stroll through the nearby streets will reveal historic districts, old bridges, and cozy local breweries where you can discuss your impressions of the visit.