Pittsfield Historical Society’s

History of Pittsfield

The Lancey House Remembered

This page is dedicated to remembrances of the Pittsfield’s Lancey House.
Please add yours by sending them to the Pittsfield Historical Society.

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From “Traditions of a Milo-ite” by Kathy Witham

” . . .When the greatest class that ever graduated from Milo High School graduated (That would have been June 9, 1965), we celebrated for a solid week. In hindsight, I can see why the class advisors have pared that week’s activities down a bit. Baccalaureate was on Sunday, Class Night on Monday, prom on Wednesday, Graduation on Thursday evening, Last Assembly on Friday and that was it. That was ENOUGH!!! A full week of activities certainly wore us, our advisors, and our parents completely out. Our senior banquet was always out of town and I haven’t any idea when that was ever squeezed into our schedule, but I remember that we went to the Lancey House in Pittsfield for ours. . . .”

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Obituary: Rudolph A. LaRochelle 1913-2005

“WINTHROP — Rudolph A. LaRochelle, 92, of Winthrop, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at Central Maine Medical Center following a brief illness.

Rudolph was born Feb. 24, 1913, in Millinocket, son of Archie and Laura (Corbin) LaRochelle.

During his life he was a farmer, letter carrier and owner of a variety store and lunch counter on the corner of Water and Bond Streets in Augusta. He was well known for his bartending at the Lancey House in Pittsfield and the Augusta House in Augusta as well as the Fisherman’s Wharf in Boothbay Harbor for 20 years. . . .”

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Obituary: Frances Elizabeth (Garrity) Dutill 1909-2004

“. . . PITTSFIELD — Frances Elizabeth (Garrity) Dutill, 94, wife of the late Ernest Dutill, passed away peacefully at Sebasticook Valley Nursing Facility on Sunday, March 7, 2004.

She was born June 1, 1909, in Pittsfield, the oldest daughter of Edith and John Garrity.

Frances was educated in the Pittsfield school system and attended Sister’s Hospital School of Nursing. She worked for many years at the Lancey House in Pittsfield as a bartender and pastry cook. At the time of her retirement, she was employed by the Northeast Shoe Company in Pittsfield. . . .”

11 November 2005

Halloween night marked the 40th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the former Lancey House in Pittsfield. This was not only a tremendous loss for the town of Pittsfield, but for the entire area.

I hope many former patrons of the Lancey House still have many wonderful memories of the elegant dining room, the coffee shop, the Sulky Room and the bright and cheery lobby. But, most of all, the wonderful and caring managers and staff who did so much to make the Lancey House so very special through the many years it was in business.

The late J.R. Cianchette, who owned it for many years, made modern improvements that added to the patron’s comfort and enjoyment. Thanks to him, it became the social center of Pittsfield.

Through the years many famous entertainers have enjoyed visits at the Lancey House. The late Gene Autry and his troupe stopped there for dinner on Feb. 4, 1956 and returned for lunch the next day. While there two Pittsfield youngsters had their picture taken with Autry and Gail Davis – TV’s Annie Oakley. We can all be thankful that we still have many wonderful memories of the beautiful Lancey House.

Glen Wheaton, Pittsfield