The Trela home, located at Two Waldron Court, was built in 1827 in Dover NH. The adjacent parking lot of Orchard Street was completed in 1977, and the Riverwalk behind was completed the next Spring. It was a boarding house for mill workers, and was restored in 1980. It has been the location of many businesses, including the former law office of Bill Shaheen, whose wife was the first woman to be elected governor of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Presently, it is the location of Wellspring Chiropractic.

This was the home where Patrick McElhiney’s grandfather, Robert Labrie met Loretta Keeting at a party and made their first date. They were married on April 9th, 1934 at St. Mary’s Church in Dover NH. Located behind the Trela Home is the Joe Parks Garden Project, which Patrick McElhiney has helped to restore through volunteer work with Dover Main Street, Ageless Dreamer Foundation, and the City of Dover. The garden contains a wishing well, and is on the embankment of the Cocheco River. The Trela Home is one of the most popular attractions in Dover NH because it is now painted bright Orange, and is visible from the Central Ave bridge.


Loretta Keeting (bride), Robert Labrie (groom), Margaret Keating Cavanaugh (maid of honor), Pierre Labrie (best man) on April 9th, 1934.

Loretta Labrie was an artist and oil painter of a variety of scenic locations throughout New Hampshire. A majority of her paintings were given as presents to family members and non-profit organizations. A Loretta Labrie painting has never been sold, other than one that proceeds benefited a non-profit organization.

See Loretta Labrie's Paintings & Poetry
See More Pictures of the Trela Home