Riverview Village

Our current project focuses on the Riverview Village neighborhood. When Melbourne began to attract new residents in the 1880's, many chose to build their homes along the bluff overlooking the Indian River just north of New Haven Avenue.

Riverview Village Neighborhood

Green Gables

The house that gives our organization its name was built at the north end of the bluff in 1896. The house is in Queen Anne style, rare in Melbourne, and takes its name from the distinctive green decoration in its gables. Its owner was William T. Wells and his wife Nora Stanford Wells. They helped develop Melbourne in many ways, including the first library, an early high school, an auditorium for cultural programs, and brought Holy Trinity to its present location.

The House

The Builder

Green Gables about 1900 W. T. Wells about 1900

Historic Preservation in Melbourne

Why This House is Important

Green Gables is the best representation of life in Melbourne prior to 1900. The house itself is an unusual example of what might be called vernacular Queen Anne. It was built by a local builder who presumably had only a rough idea that a Queen Anne house should have a tower and a complex roofline.

Of the several centers of social life in Melbourne, Green Gables is the only one remaining. Mrs. Wells was a Stanford, and the family brought at least some of the social customs of the Stanford's with them. There are still people who remember "teas" at Green Gables.

The family encouraged education in early Melbourne. Mr. Wells was an early supporter of cultural and educational events. Wells, Harry Goode, and other early leaders, formed a chapter of the Chautauqua that brought lectures to Melbourne. Wells becames president of the local Chautauqua. When the events became too large, he built an auditorium to house them. He also contributed an early high school, bringing in a "Professor" to provide the instruction.

In 1991 Stephen Olausen prepared an inventory of "Historic Buildings of Melbourne." Going through that inventory of twenty years ago, no house had either the connection with Melbourne's early history or the architectural distinction of Green Gables. If Historic Preservation has any meaning in Melbourne, this house should be high on the priority list to be preserved. Melbourne has done an excellent job of promoting preservation in the Eau Gallie area, but 100 years ago Eau Gallie and Melbourne were, if anything, rivals. Melbourne proper needs its own sense of heritage. Green Gables and the Riverview Village neighborhood offer that opportunity.

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