“When I See The Standpipe, I Know I’m Home” -Open Today 4-8 p.m.

Today is the summer Bangor Thomas Hill Standpipe Open House Tour.  Hours are from 4 to 8 p.m., so the views will come with some lights near the end of the tour.

You know the drill.  The Standpipe is open for visitors 4 times a year, once per season. And is operated by the Bangor Water Department.

And recently was recognized as one of the Top 250 most iconic places to propose marriage in America.

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Quite the honor, considering that only 3 places in Maine were named.  Here is the story of a great place to get engaged in Bangor.

And it’s not only a great place to get down on one knee and propose, but also a pretty special place to get married.

At least it was for former Bangor Mayor and longtime City Councilor GP Palmer. Gerry was in City government between the years of 1998 and 2011.

He got married at the Thomas Hill Standpipe in 1986. It was September 7^th, and he was married at 7:30 am at the birdbath.

Why there?

Because it’s my favorite building in the whole world.

GP was born in Bangor but lived 3 other places as a child. When his family moved to Texas, he knew then that he missed Bangor and wanted to move back someday. He did, but not before also living in Virginia and Massachusetts first.

GP says:

When I see the Standpipe I know I’m home.

Gerry is a member of the Board of Trustees of his most special building in the world. It was he who got behind the idea to have a permanent marker outside the entrance door.

But why is the Standpipe only open 4 times a year?

It comes down to liability, and having to have it staffed when it is open. The Thomas Hill Standpipe was open for all to visit anytime, from the opening in 1897 until 1937 when tragically a boy playing in the stairwell fell to his death.

In the 80s the Standpipe would also open for special occasions, but since then it’s been 4 tours a year, one per season. So happy summer. Enjoy the views today from 4 until 8 p.m.