![[Waterhouse Family][1] Waterhouse with people Big](https://ah.r3mx.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Waterhouse-Family1-Waterhouse-with-people-Big-1536x864-square.jpg "[Waterhouse Family][1] Waterhouse with people Big")
The Waterhouse Residence Museum is a historic house museum that offers visitors a rare glimpse into the daily life of a middle-class American family during the Gilded Age.
Fully furnished with authentic period décor, the home captures the rhythms and routines of domestic life in the late 19th century.
The Waterhouse Family
Originally built in 1884 by carpenter William H. Waterhouse, the Waterhouse Residence Museum stands as a testament to the legacy of a pioneering family that helped shape the city of Maitland. William, who relocated from Greenport, New York in 1882, quickly established himself as a respected community builder, responsible for constructing many of the area’s first homes. He also served as a town alderman for over 30 years, helping to guide Maitland through its formative years. The home remained in the Waterhouse family for over a century, bearing witness to the evolution of Maitland from a quiet lakeside settlement into a flourishing suburban town.
![[Waterhouse Family][10]](https://ah.r3mx.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Waterhouse-Family10-square.jpg "[Waterhouse Family][10]")
![[Waterhouse Family[4] Stella at Library](https://ah.r3mx.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Waterhouse-Family4-Stella-at-Library-square.jpg "[Waterhouse Family[4] Stella at Library")
The Waterhouse family made lasting contributions to the cultural and civic fabric of Maitland. William’s wife, Sarah Penny Waterhouse, was known for hosting church fundraisers and community events. Their daughter Stella became a beloved figure in the community, serving as the Maitland Public Library’s librarian for over 30 years and caring for mothers and newborns at the local hospital. Known affectionately as “Miss Stella,” she returned to Maitland after studying nursing in New Jersey. Stella was remembered for her kindness, curiosity, and community spirit.
Charles Waterhouse, the eldest son, also left a profound mark. After studying architecture and establishing a successful practice in New Jersey, Charles returned to Maitland in the 1920s with his wife and daughters. He designed several of the town’s notable buildings, including the original Maitland Library. His daughters, Alice, Helen, and Doris, grew up on the family homestead on Lake Lily, attending Rollins School and contributing to the community in their own right. In 1970, Helen Waterhouse became a founding member of the Maitland Historical Society, and in 1989, she generously donated the family home to the organization so it could be preserved and interpreted for future generations. The Waterhouse legacy, now spanning five generations, remains deeply woven into Maitland’s heritage.
![[Waterhouse Family][6]](https://ah.r3mx.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Waterhouse-Family6-square.jpg "[Waterhouse Family][6]")
The Carpentry Shop Museum
The A&H’s Carpentry Shop Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the working life of 19th-century carpenters. Originally constructed around 1883 by William Waterhouse, the shop served as the base for his building career in Maitland. Later repurposed as a cottage for his daughter Stella and granddaughter Helen, the building was restored to its original form and opened to the public in 1994. The museum showcases historical tools, traditional craftsmanship, and techniques used by Waterhouse and his contemporaries, preserving the hands-on history of Maitland’s early development.