1947 1948 O neil relatives of GBD tis A rozing plan for OHFFarm secure farneting of OH Farm -Death of Abby Rabefuller JDRFr. disprait on of propert -Peters to Ii (6/30) ri given him in CBD's will. t purchase of Don menacel of other property ouned s 6BD. NCTPR. Jr. pays for Dorr properties (10/22) -Hadley are death (5/20) of S. Rodich -IntoJudge Peters (716) re Dorr GBO will beneficiaries named friends dispensed to Jesup HCTPR, Tax of #CTFR(*)? + Abbe (12/25) -Dorr Hemoral. 1 O'Neil to Drury ri familiere. Stebbins letter to JDRF. (10/17) request - -MPIBR Memo (March (48) $25.7 cont. ribition to pay for me JORIr. controbet ons + Coss memoral/req. for funds hostory of MOIBL (8550) set to 70, few responded - HETPR Dedication of Dorr Nevoriel (8/24) C Consets @ Don's Characte s Juli Peters NPS indifference"to GBD ! V.IMPT. a Mrs. R.Hale letter (v/3) re Dorro Papers. Peters -JDRYr Core. (11/8) ie Domillenoial - Text of 8/29 Dedication of Dor lemond. Solicitant on Letter (9/5) to pay for Dorr Memoral 1 The breat Are Dr. Little's remarks on fire of '47 & JAX (pob. 9/9/56) Jr. (11/12) on fire problems REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES NARA/CP/RG79/CCF 1933-49/Acaded Box 791 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Acadia National Park Kiman Bar Harbor, Vaine January 10, 1947 for the Regional Director, Region One. 1 received in the mail this morning a copy of Mrs. Richard R. sle's letter of December 24 to MT. Tolson which was in reply to his of December 19 asking about Mr. Dorr's papers. ith respect to her statement that the papers relating to readis are in the Jesup memorial Library in Bar Harbor, please refer to the next to she last para re h on page two of my menorandum of December 4, 1940. is that peragraph I ortlined the nature of the contents of se in the library. B. L. Hadley, Superintendent. in triplicate 30: Supt. Salem Maritime NRS. Dear Judge Peters, Thank you for your note and its enclosures, the contents of which will be kept confidential. I think you have handled the situa- tion very well. Serenus has been away to the Sportsman's Show; maybe the change will help and the work in the office be attended to now. I hope so. Ben Hadley is much like Serenus in some ways. Mr. Dorr always said that Ben was always so willing, but never did anything. I have asked him to have someone get some cuts and pictures, which the Estate turned over to the Park, out of storage for use in the book that I hope may be published. The cuts and pictures are stored in the stable at Oldfarm. Each time he promises to get some for me, but it ends there. If you agree, I thought I would write to the Burr Printing Company again and ask them if the estimate they gave us over a year ago still stands. I was hoping we might get the book published before the Estate is settled. When I talked with Mrs. Hale last summer, she seemed agreeable. It is the / one thing above all others that Mr. Dorr really wanted. If we can't get cuts, do you think it would be satisfactory to have the text printed and have merely a frontispiece - a photograph of Mr. Dorr? I have followed, with much interest, the news of your re- tirement. The Government will be losing much, but you richly deserve a period of freedom. I am wondering if they will be able to find someone to take your place - it will be difficult, I know. I am returning the material which you SO kindly sent me. I notice that your letter was mailed from Ellsworth, so I am addressing this note to you there. With all good wishes, Sincerely, Friday PMrs Sylvie?] February 7th [1947] Page 1 of 3 Ronald Epp From: "Robert R. Pyle" [Director, Northeast Harbor P.L.] To: "Ronald Epp" Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 2:43 PM Subject: Re: Query From Ron Epp Dear Ron, The anecdote was from a man named Maitland Murphy, who is now deceased. Maitland had been one of the truck drivers. Many years ago I lamented when some locally important archival papers were thrown in the trash. This was when Maitland was our local police chief. He commiserated with me and told me the story of seeing papers blow out of the truck in front of his, and then told me that one had been picked up by a bystander who found that it had been signed by a famous person. Another (perhaps apochryphal) story was about someone coming across a letter at the roadside - on White House paper and signed by Calvin Coolidge. I do know that as chief naturalist Paul Favour did not regard human history as essential to the park's mission. The museum at Islesford was founded by my grandfather. It was given to the park 9 years after his death, and my family waged a running battle with Paul to get attention paid to it. I don't know who from among those who emptied Old Farm may still be living. CR. Pyle] At 12:41 PM 3/7/03 -0500, you wrote: >Dear Bob, > >I hope you are faring well since my visit several weeks back. > >As I said in the letter I sent last week, I do appreciate your assistance >but one anecdote that you shared with me keeps bouncing around my head and I >hope you might be able to provide some background for your claim. > > You mentioned that after Mr. Dorr's death there was a so-called >"housecleaning" of Old Farm. I remember quite clearing your most disturbing >remark about dump trucks leaving Old Farm with stationary and paper lifted >by the wind and scattered along the road enroute to the landfill. > >While I don't expect to excavate any landfill, I would be very interested in >the source of this anecdote; that is, if you can recall or point me in the >direction of someone who might. > >With best wishes, > > >Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. >Director of the Harry & Gertrude Shapiro Library > Southern New Hampshire University 3/17/2003 June 17, 1947 Seremis B. Rodick, Esq. Bar Harbor, Maine Dear Serenus, I came down today for the purpose of checking up the lots that are to be conveyed to Mr. Rockefeller so I could tell just what was left in the Dorr Estate as something must be down about the balance this summer. I want to sell them, if possible. I find that you are probably busy with Martha's wedding which I didn't know about so I will come down some other day. Meantime, if you will have the papers available I will come down in a day or two to check up the lots. Yours very truly, JAP/as J. A. PETERS Ellsworth, Maine 17 June, 1947 wear Mr. Rockefeller: I have yours of the 9th sent to Bar harbor by mistake. I have retired from active service on t e bench and my permanent address is now Ellsworth. Formerly I was in Portland most of the time. I understand perfectly about Serenus Rodick and haven't mentioned the matter to him except once, about a year ago, in con- nection with the taxes. lie Salu E en that if 1 raised the point he felt that he should pay the taxes hisself. I told him to forget. about taxes and have not mentioned the matter to him since. 1 am very sympathetic with him because, in audition to the troubles refer to he is afflicted with st mac ulcers, - us I a. told. I think that me Will make an effort no to close ti.e matter. My principal cause of con- cera is the fact that this is a trust matter and that the worr estate should be settled. I appreciate your fine attitude in this situation and Serenus should be very grateful to you, as I have no acubt he is. You may be interested to know that 1 saw our mutual friends, Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins last Wednesday. George always seems to come out somewhat better after a little attack of pneumonia and a more lengthy sojourn in an oxygen tent than usual has apparently done no harm to Mrs. Stebbins. They are both wonders. Yours very truly, John A. Peters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York 20, N. Y. Room 5600 June 9, 1947 Dear Judge Peters: You wrote me some months 8.00 saying that you had been unable to close up the Dorr matter because Mr. Serenus Rodick had not yet dealt with the matters in connection therewith which he was handling for me. Although I have written Mr. Rodick about the matter on several occasions since your letter was received, I have had no reply. This morning I telephoned him. As I surmised his brother's death so over- whelmed Serenus, both with legal work in settling his brother's estate and with handling the legal work previously carried by his brother, that he is way behind in all his work, working much too hard, and has not done the work for me in connection with the Dorr Estate which I asked him to do much more than E year ago. I fear Mr. Rodick has been on the edge of E break down, which is not strange in view of the circunstances I urged him to take care of him- self, to get additional help, which he is trying to do, and asked him to take up the Dorr matter ES the first thing on the list for me. This he said he would do and hoped to get at it soon. I 80 most regretful at this long delay but do not see what can be done beyond what I have done. I am hopeful that before long Mr. Podick will straighten out the Dorr matters now in his office. Please regard this letter ES confidential. It is written for your information only, also 8.5 an apology for the long delay ir. carrying out my part in the Dorr matter, but, of course, with no slightest criticism of Mr. Rodick whose difficult situation you and I can both well understand. Very sincerely, John D. Rockfuller Judge John A. Peters Bar Harbor, Maine. Page 182 June 27, 1947 Mrs. Richard W. Hale R. F. D. #1 Needham, Massachusetts Dear Mrs. Hale, I have your various letters and I make it a point now to go in to see Serenus Rodick every time I am in Bar Harbor. Being here today I have just visited him. He indicates now he will have the deed ready next week. I suggested to him that he do that first as it has to be signed by various people. In case of conveyance of real estate signature of trustees is required. The executors, or course, operate independently of the trustees but, as you know, I have always conferred with you. The Board of Trade Building stock does not fluctuate with the general stock market. Like the Athenium stock it is not on the Exchange. The only way it can be sold is through brokers who make a specialty of such things. A year ago this stock was quoted at 141. It is now quoted at 16 so I have sent that to Tucker Anthony and Company for sale at that figure and asked them about the possi- bility of selling the Athenium for $400.00. I am surprised about this last stock. I was executor of the will of the late George N. Blask of Boston and Bar Harbor and I had, and there is still in his estate, 1 share which I think was valued when he died about twenty years ago at about $1000.00. I don't 2. quite see what has caused such a depression. (I hate to sell this Dorr stock at $350.00 but, of course, we must wind up the estate and I hope and expect to do so at the time approximately when we close the Rockefeller sale. I hope at that time we can find an institution like the library that can accept the pictures and there are one or two other lots of land that we must dispose of, but I think rather than sell any of these things for a nominal sum, it would be Mr. Dorr's preference that we should give them to some public organization where they would be held and appreciated as in the case of some of the pictures. ) When do you expect to come to Bar Harbor? Yours very truly, J. A. PETERS JAP/S Tuesday . Peters, I have record the that have mentioned in enclosed. and agree with all your you (a would. however, that. when the estate is settled. like for it to be understood money is to he set aside for second part of the Park history. the publication of Dr. Woris The as bed Beu Had by four times for for the necessary cuts or photographs. but to no avail! Mr. worrwauted that more than anything ElsE! Ill he home July 1st. [1947] Suicereup B. a.mpa F.10. Copy-2 copy Page of 2 Personal 20 Exchange Place New York INVECTIVED September 4, 1947. Mr. Newton B. Drury, Director 1997 National Park Service Marchandist Mart OCT 2 Chicago 54, Illinois. ACADIA Dear Mr. Drury: I take this occasion of expressing to you the gratitude of the family of George B. Derr for the signal honor which the National Park Service has paid him in erecting to his memory a tablet in Acadia National Park. My son, George Dorr O'Naill, who was present at the unveiling ceremony, has just told us how impressive the ceremony was. The inscriptions on the tablet show careful thought and are very appropriate. You know, as well as we do, that something of this nature was very close in George Dorr's mind. He wanted to be remembered in connection with the Park, which he loved dearly and to which he devoted all of his energies. The Sieur_de Monte Spring was in his opinion the heart of the Park. And I am sure that his spirit will be glad to know that this tab- let is erected there. GBD Mernetial We visited Mount Desert Island last week; in fact, we arrived the day you departed, but we did not know about the Ceremony prospective unveiling until after we had completed plans for our return. But my son remained for the ceremony. We had a very nice visit with Mr. Hadley, and are glad to know that he is in charge of the Park. He worked very closely with Mr. Dorr for twenty-five years, and I am sure that the Park will greatly benefit from his interested and devoted supervision. Our talk with Mr. Hadley turned on the subject of the furniture in the Dorr house. The are of course most amoious onform to obtain anything that we can of the family furniture, entire- ly for sentimental reasons. As time goes on, all of us learn to value the furniture which comes down to us more and more. Mr. Dorr gave us a lot of ideas about what we were to have, but the exigencies of his situation to some extent prevented it. Almost all of the furniture that was in the house has been removed, and Mr. Hadley tells us that what is left is of no further use to the Service and that he wants to get rid of it. This includes a few family pieces which we want, and some furniture in the servants' end which of course is of no special value to us. The pieces that are left are for the ANP 3,f10 20 Exchange Place New York 2. Mr. Newton B. Drury, 9/4/47. most part, in Mr. Hadley's opinion, in the nature of secondhand furniture, and of no special value, although of course they would have many associations valuable to us. We would like to acquire them on any basis that is satisfactory to you. Mr. Hadley tells us that none of this furniture has been inventoried as government property. We will be glad to remove all of the furniture, shipping to New York the pieces which we want, and disposing of the others to to the Maine Seacoast Missions where it can be of practical use. Also, we want to see that Mr. Hadley receives one item as a memento of his twenty-five years' association with George B. Dorr, and expressing the mutual admiration which they had, one for the other. Mrs. O'Neill wants me to tell you how very much indeed she appreciated your thoughtful letter several years ago after Mr. Dorr's death. Expressing our appreciation of your friendly con- sideration of these matters, I am, with kind regards Very sincerely yours, (sgd) Grover O'Neill C/V.C. HANCOCK COUNTY TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC RESERVATIONS 8/29/47 5/29/20 1942 DEDICATION OF THE Paters GEORGE BUCKNAM DORR MEMORIAL group Fide M.Doss & H Hanwok ctp 2. Truster Meeting of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations, C3 and friends, at the Sieur du Mont Spring, Acadia National Park, GBD Bar Harbor, August 29th, 1947, for the dedication of the memorial to - George B. Dorr Introduction by the President, George L. Stebbins: Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations, and friends:- We are met to honor the memory of a man whose foresight and devoted energy spanning many years, did more to preserve the natural beauties of this Island than was contributed by any one source. This is a meeting of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations which undertook the establishment of this memorial and appointed a committee consisting of Judge John A. Peters, Mrs. Richard Hale, Benjamin L. Hadley, Gerard Austin, and Albert Cunningham to carry it out, and therefore a brief account of its organization and objectives may be of interest. It was organized September 14th, 1901, , at the instance of President Charles W. Eliot of Harvard who was a member of a similar organization in Massachusetts and it was empowered to hold lands for public uses free from taxation. The members of the first Executive Committee were Charles W. Eliot, President; George B. Dorr, 1st Vice-President; Prof. Edward S. Dana, 2nd Vice-President; Lea M. Luquer, Secretary; George L. Stebbins, Treasurer; Luere B. Deasy, Edward B. Mears, Members at large. I am the only member of that group now living and that is probably why I am President. It only shows that in order to be President you simply have to hold on. 3. At that time the wild lands on Mount Desert Island were in private ownership and the deep woods were safe because it cost too much to transport the logs to the saw mills, and the price of lumber was low, but soon after the beginning or this century, the portable gasoline saw mill came into general use and that together with a great increase in the price of lumber made it profitable to cut any of the soft wood growths on the Island. This was foreseen by President Eliot, Mr. Dorr and their associates, but no notable tracts were acquired until 1909 and 1910 when by a series of fortuitous circumstances, some 5,000 acres were acquired by gift comprising all of the mountains on the East side of the Island and the Valleys between. We, I speak for the Trustees, were just one jump ahead of the lumbermen and sometimes it was only a matter of hours. One morning Mr. Dorr telephoned me that he had an option on 70 acres comprising the carry between Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake, expiring at 12 o'clock after which a lumberman was ready to buy it, and I, speaking for the Northeast and Seal Harbor group, replied to take it. This is only one instance of which there were many. The names of those contributing towards the purchase of these tracts are too numerous to mention but among the leaders at that time were Mr. John S. Kennedy of Bar Harbor, President Charles W. Eliot of Northeast Harbor, and Dr. Edward K. Dunham of Seal Harbor. We have with us one who knew Mr. Dorr for nearly half a century, who was closely associated with him in the establishment of the National Park and whose family traditions in Hancock 4. ounty go back one hundred and fifty years. I take pleasure in introducing my friend of over half a century, Judge John A. Peters. Address by Judge Peters: of the 30,000 visitors who come to this beautiful spot every year for recreation and refreshment, only a small fraction know to whom they are indebted for the opportunity, or have any appreciation of the time and labor involved in the creation of such a privilege. Our Government, which acquired this unique and picturesque section of our historic Island some years ago, - and now maintains it in perpetuity for the enjoyment of the people, - did not do so of its own motion. It had to be powerfully stimulated to take such action. The governmental inertia which clogs initiative in such matters had to be overcome by personal energy and intelli- gent persistence. It is safe to say that there would be no National Park on this Island today if George Buckham Dorr had not lived and been the public-spirited citizen of enormous energy and enthusiasm that he was. But the Government cannot be counted on, of its own motion to make avowal of that fact, or to express the appreciation and gratitude of its citizens for such altruistic effort, - no matter how great the labor involved or how important the result. It remains for those who were in touch with Mr. Dorr's labors over a period of 40 years, and those who are still near enough thereto to realize their extraordinary nature and inestimable value, to make sure that there shall be some simple but permanent record of the fact, -sufficient at least to advise posterity of the 5. of Etheir benefactor and the boundaries of his life. He would not desire more, and should have no less. It is natural and fitting that the burden of this matter should be assumed by the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations. That, as you know, is an eleemosynary corporation chartered by the legislature of Maine for the purpose of pre- serving points of scenic value in this section. It is the titular ancestor, - the grandfather, so to speak, of this Park. Title to this spot with the adjacent mountain tops and other lands forming the nucleus of what is now a Park of National importance, was first acquired by the Trustees of Public Reservations 40 years ago. The lands which the Trustees had acquired passed into Federal control as a National Monument, so-called, which in turn was succeeded by the present National Park created by an act of Congress in 1919. The bare recital of those successive ownerships, - each for the benefit of the public, although in a different wya, - sounds unimpressive and rather simple; but they represent 20 years of devoted and strenuous labor by Mr. Dorr, followed by another 20 years of constant effort in building the Park to its present magnificent perfection, - the finest possible memorial to its originator and builder, and the only one desired. The first 12 years of Mr. Dorr's labors were tranquil, and uneventful, but fruitful. Plans were laid, lands acquired at strategic points. Progress was rapid and peaceful. But in 1913 a small cloud appeared upon the horizon. A bill was introduced in the Maine Legislature to revoke the charter of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations, - presumably because its property was withdrawn from taxation. It did not matter that the 6. commercial value of its lands was small and the scenic value immense. Some people could not see beyond their own noses. Mr. Dorr's life work was in danger of being wrecked. He descended upon the Maine Legislature like an aroused lion in defense of its cub. I was at Augusta at the time as a member of the House and wit- - nessed the battle, which turned out to be one-sided. There was no resisting Mr. Dorr when fighting for the public welfare. In his contact with the membership of the Legislature he was resourceful, indefatigable and irresistible. A modest, scholarly gentleman, a philosopher, a scientist, a man dealing in ideas, - supposed to be somewhat impractical in business affairs, - Mr. Dorr seemingly turned into a shrewd, hard-boiled, effective master-lobbyist. Like an astute politician he appeared to know the strings that control men's actions and how to pull them. The ordinary run-of-the-log lobbyists, attending the legislative session, observing his operations, were awe-struck. When he got through, not a single member would venture a word in favor of the bill to abolish the Trustees. The man who sponsored the measure said he would vote against it and apologized for introducing it. The enemy was triumphantly routed. However, that experience frightened Mr. Dorr. He had be- come shy of state legislatures, and all their works. He determined to offer his child to the Federal Government for adoption. To bring that about meant a long and gruelling campaign in Washington; but his appetite for that sort of thing had been whetted in Augusta. It SO happened that I witnessed the Washington fight, as I then had the honor of representing this District in Congress. The campaign lasted 3 years and was strenuous. It became necessary to fight jealousy as well as ignorance and the usual governmental in- 7. ertia. The Department of Agriculture looked with a somewhat jaundiced eye upon the proposed handling of public land by any other agency of the government. But Mr. Dorr was armed with tact as well as vigor and overcame all opposition. At last I went with him to the White House to get President Wilson to sign the proclamation which would make this area a National Monument, so called, - which is one step removed from a full National Park. The signing occurred in 1916 and ended that particular cam- paign. It may not be out of place to digress for a moment and mention an incident that occurred during that visit to the White House. I have no idea that the President was influenced, in the slightest, in favor of our measure by Mr. Dorr's reference to his action in the case of Mr. Brandeis, - that Mr. Dorr had such a thing in mind, - but, human nature being what it is, I believe I was right in thinking that I saw a little more friendly glint in the President's eye when we left. The executive order was signed soon afterward. Again Mr. Dorr was not content. He was ambitious to have this then extensive area given the status of a National Park in which the people would have not only the privilege but the right, under suitable restrictions, to enjoy its beauties and its wonders forever. That was later brought about by the almost single-handed efforst of Mr. Dorr and the necessary legislation was passed by Congress and signed by the President in February 1919. For the 8. next 20 years Mr. Dorr gave his time and expert knowledge to the Park, acting as Superintendent at a nominal salary. He lived to see his dream come true. Other public-spirited citizens, - long-time--summer residents of this section, - realizing the value of this Park to the public, have been more than generous with their influence and their money. The Park owes much to them; but more to Mr. Dorr than to all others, because he gave all he had. This memorial, which you are about to see, represents, I believe, the maximum of public acclaim which this unassuming gentleman would sanction. Your committee has sought to place here, at the heart of his great accomplishment, a memorial as simple, as dignified, as staunch as he himself. This stone, by which he has often stood, is a fragment from the top of the mountain which he named Cadillac. The tablet is of material as lasting as any part of the earth itself. The inscription will give information to future generations of visitors to this park as to the name of their benefactor and will serve to show, in some degree, the esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries. At a time when we suffer from the failures that men have made in dealing with each other, it is good to recall the success of one man who gave a life-time of labor that the people should have a sanctuary where Nature is supreme, unvexed by the bicker- ings of men. The President then asked the Reverend Doctor Samuel Eliot, son of the founder of this organization to speak, SH Hanwak cty 9. Dr. Eliot's brief address not recorded. The memorial tablet was then unveiled by two uniformed United States Park Rangers. Image is the property of Woodlawn Museum P.O. Box 1478 Ellsworth, ME 04605 207-667-8671 Reproduction or Publication by specific written permission only. Image is the property of Woodlawn Museum P.O. Box 1478 Ellsworth, ME 04605 207-667-8671 Reproduction or Publication by specific written permission only. Unveiled Tablet TABLET Continued from Page 1 Friday In Honor Of ory of George Bucknam Dorr, 1853-1944. Gentleman; Scholar, Lover of Nature, Father of This George B. Dorr National Park. Steadfast in his At the Sieur de Monts Spring, zeal to make the beauties of this at (four o'clock, on Friday, August Island available to all!" 29 a tablet was unveiled to the It was prepared by a committee memory of George Bucknam Dorr, consisting of Judge Peters, chair- which had been erected by the Hancock County Trustees of Pub- man, Mrs. Richard Hale, George lic Reservation. Stebbins, Albert Cunningham and George Stebbins, president of Gerard Austin. The lettering of the trustees, in a brief, warm the tablet was designed by R. speech, told how that body had beenifounded by President Eliot Cliptson Sturgis, a college friend and Mr. Dorr, among others; how of Mr. Dorr's. that body was, in a sense, the grandfather of the Park; and how Mr. Dorr's efforts saved the moun- tains from the gasoline saw and the logger, in one case by a matter of hours. Then Judge John A. Peters con- tinued the genealogy of the Park, and recounted how first as a State Representative at Augusta, then as a Congressman at Washington he had watched Mr. Dorr's efforts to save the beauties of the. Island. He paid eloquent tribute. to the force and unusual form of the arguments with which Mr. Dorr se. cured the foundation first of the National Monument, then of the National Park. After a few words from the Rev. Samuel Eliet, also reminis cent of!Mr. Dorr's work, the tablet was then unveiled by the Park Rangers Its inscription reads: "In Mem. Continued on Page 10 BHT 9/4/47. In Memory of GEORGE BUCKNAM DORR 1853 - 1944 Gentleman e Scholar I Lover of Nature Father of this NATIONAL PARK Steadfast in his zeal to make the beauties of this Island available to all Note: For comprehensive documentation, see Series III, file" Memorial to George B. Dor.' September 18, 1947 Mrs. Richard W. Hale R. F. D. #1 Needham, Mass. Dear Mrs. Hale, The deed to Mr. Rockefeller, properly executed, is now in my hands ready for delivery. The only trouble now is to get it delivered. I am in Bar Harbor today dictating this and expected to exchange the deed for the money but Mr. Rodick has not received it from Mr. Rockefeller although he wrote for it last week. I suppose there is nothing to do but wait. When the money is received I will place it to the credit of the trustees. As soon as a few odds and ends down here are cleaned up Mrs. Sylvia and I as executors can also place the balance in our hands to the credit of the trustees in the bank. It will then be ready for disposition after commissions and expenses have been arranged with the probate court. I wrote quite a long report of our activities to Pres. Sills and told him of our proposed distribution of the money, i.e., one- half to Bar Harbor Library, one-quarter to the Abbe Museum and one- IR quarter to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservation. He was entirely satisfied with that and has approved of our proceedings. Of course, he has taken no active part and knew nothing about the local situation. The will provides that the majority of the trustees can act and so, with his consent, I have not bothered him much about the matter from the beginning. I sent the share in the Athenaeum to Tucker, Anthony and Co. for sale at 300 or better but have heard nothing from them. We can't close the matter until we realize on that. Do you know of any indi- vidual who would take it for that sum? It seems that even at specu- lation it ought to be all right. I should think some one around Boston would be glad to have it at so low a price. Yours very truly, JAP/S J. A. PETERS C 0 P BURR PRINTING COMPANY Y 125 Franklin Street Bangor, Maine September 22, 1947 Mrs. Phyllis S. Sylvia Box 346 Bar Harbor, Maine Dear Madam: Agreeable with our telephone conversation today, we quote you on 250 copies of the "Dorr Story of Acadia National Park" a price of $410.00, including the price of four cuts to be used, and to be delivered to you at Bar Harbor, the transportation to be included in the price. These books to be bound the same as the previous book of Mr. Dorr's entitled "Acadia National Park, Its Origin and Background." Awaiting the receipt of your copy, we are Yours truly, BURR PRINTING CO. By J. W. Barto, President, (signed) V ESTATE OF George B. Dorr TRUSTEE ACCOUNT Harry L Crabtree Attorney. Filed 19 Rec. Vol. Page R 8 Chap 70 a No 43 THEIR & OF John A. Peters, Mount N whole have. Richard 3. Help Jr.. and 8. Sylvin, TRUSTEE a under the last will and testament of George B. Form, late of Par Harbor in the County of Hanwock deceased, for the benefit diar Harbor Public Library Hancock Co. Tre. Reserved & Abte MURCUA de Bar Harbor Beginning December 5. 1944 Ending November an, 1947 Said Accountar charge hemelveswith the several amounts received as -tated in SMedule A. herewith exhibited, If 27095 nal Park, one of the nation's most y spots, has been the victim of human ith fire. In the upper left arm of the shown on the accompanying map, is origin. Here, at a refuse dump, on sparks were whipped by strong winds vegetation of a surrounding meadow. ovember 14 was the fire out. A total icres had been destroyed, 8,750 of within the park. The fire climbed the if Sargent Mountain. The Bubbles at d of Jordan Pond were totally burned dillac Mountain, only the west slope Destroyed, too, was the country sur- SAND BEACH ie Tarn, and gone were the forests Ocean Drive, over The Beehive, on and around The Bowl. Nearly a third on the western half of the island, not e map, is intact, as is the small main- n Schoodic Peninsula. The Acadia fire h largest national park fire on record. occurred in 1929 when 50,000 acres yed in Glacier. This fire spread from SEAL national forest lands. The total area HARBOR both the park and the national forest ian 100,000 acres. In 1936, Isle Royale NORTHEAST ) acres in three separate fires; while Yel- HARBOR Heart Lake fire wiped out 18,756 acres. HWEST INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RBOR PREPARED BY DEVEREUX BUTCHER NATIONAL PARKS MAGAZINE JANUARY-MARCH 1948 21 saved. The island was placed under mar- that in many places it smoldered down to tial law for over two weeks. bedrock. However, the fire was declared The small staff of Acadia National Park completely under control on November 6 and local municipal fire companies were without the help of rain. It was declared inadequate to handle the emergency. As out on November 14. soon as the seriousness of the situation be- About one-third of the beautiful forests came apparent, the National Park Service of Acadia are scarred by the fire. It is too dispatched by plane twenty-five of its best early to determine how serious the effects eastern fire control supervisors from Wash- will be, but at least thirty percent, and per- ington and Richmond, and from Shenan- haps as much as sixty percent of the forest doah, Great Smoky Mountains and Mam- within the burned area has been killed. moth Cave national parks, the Blue Ridge Much of the spruce-pine forest was com- Parkway and other areas. The Forest pletely destroyed by intense crown fires. It Service also loaned ten additional super- is hoped that most of the broadleaf trees visors from Atlanta. Because of the num- will survive, although many individual trees ber of fires throughout New England will succumb. burning at the same time, experienced The fire spread from its point of origin civilian fire fighters and equipment were at Fresh Meadow, southwest of Salisbury unobtainable in the quantity required. The Cove, outside the park, east to the ocean Army Air Forces furnished several hundred at Hulls Cove; south from Fresh Meadow fire fighters and operated mess and com- to the top of Sargent Mountain, and the munication services. The University of north end of Jordan Pond; north around Maine and Bangor Theological Seminary the west and north shores of Eagle Lake; permitted upperclass students to volunteer along the north and east edge of the for fire fighting under faculty supervision. Cadillac Mountain Road to the summit; More than twenty miles of fire hose and south to Eagle Crag; east around Otter tons of other equipment were flown by the Creek village, and south and east across AAF from far distance points. Otter Point to below Thunder Hole. Along After the great run of the fire on the the east shore the fire burned to the ocean 23rd, control action was reorganized and from south of Hulls Cove to Otter Point, the fire brought under control after more except in Bar Harbor. Park headquarters than twenty-four miles of fire line had been in Bar Harbor was not burned, but sev- completed by October 27. The job of eral members of the park staff lost their mop-up was one of the most difficult in the homes. recollection of any of the supervisors whose Removal and clean-up of fire-killed trees past experiences on fires covered all sec- is planned, and reforestation, where prac- tions of the country. The duff was so dry tical, is being studied. EXPLORING OUR NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS by Devereux Butcher, Executive Secretary of the National Parks Association, and published by The Oxford University Press, New York, is the latest and most authentic book on our wonderful nature reservations. With full color pictures on the covers and illustrated with 170 superb photographs and a map, it describes, in 160 pages, the 27 great national parks and 38 nature monuments. It tells how to reach each park and monument by train, bus and automobile; and it gives information on accommodations at the reservations. Fast becoming the most popular book on the subject, Exploring our National Parks and Mounuments is now approaching the 10,000 mark in sales. Paper-bound $1.75 Cloth-bound $2.75 Send in your order with your check today to National Parks Association, 1214 16th Street, N. W., Washington 6, D. C. 22 NATIONAL PARKS MAGAZINE JLA, R61, Box 7.3.,F13 I'll always remember My adventure in faith' by DR. CLARENCE C. LITTLE NATIONALLY KNOWN AUTHORITY ON CANCER RESEARCH; SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR, TOBACCO INDUSTRY RESEARCH COMMITTEE FOREST FIRE races through the oldest stone home in Bar Harbor, Me., during the famous resort's fiery destruction nine years ago next month. After two and a half days of anxiously watch- through everything before it. And I must ing a great forest fire shift its course before confess that my thoughts, both selfishly and variable winds, we finally knew that it was unselfishly, were largely on my mice. Eigh- headed for Bar Harbor, Me. one of Amer- teen years of dedicated effort - all was van- ica's famous "last resorts." It was October ishing in flame. 23, 1947. The next day, still a little dazed over the Concerned as I was about my own home loss, I had a telephone call from the late and those of many friends and associates, James Rowland Angell, former president of there was a greater threat that grasped and both the Jackson Laboratory and Yale Uni- held me. This was the menace to the Jackson versity. "Come off it, Pete," he said in his Laboratory.-which I had directed for 18 usual cheery voice. "Don't let it get you. This years, since my retirement as president of the is a challenge and you're about to expe- University of Michigan and as managing di- rience something great - an adventure in rector of the American Cancer Society. faith!" In its wood-framed, brick-faced building Sure enough, in the days that followed, was a great center of research on cancer and words of encouragement and offers of sup- other aspects of abnormal growth. There port came from directors of world-famous were 30 unique and priceless strains of "con- institutions. trol" mice, some 90,000 animals which had And then came what we'd scarcely dared been inbred and studied from 100 to 200 hope for: letters, cables and radiograms generations - a period equal to 2,000 to from researchers all over the world to whom 4,000 years of human life. we'd sent out mice. "Are transmitting 100 of We had sent foundation stocks of these strain C-57 black by air express today," read mice to medical researchers all over the world one from Detroit. "Expect arrival of fifty for studies on cancer, leukemia, influenza, C-3-H," went another from California. yellow fever, rabies and many other diseases. Others came from Canada, from London. These inbred mice allowed any scientist to Today, as a result of this support, with repeat his own work accurately or to check twice the number of strains we originally had that of others by the use of similar animals. and over double the mouse colony, I am We were raising some 500,000 per year, and gratefully retiring from the active director- were distributing many of them to workers ship of Jackson to devote myself primarily to in some 350 other institutions. raising a now-lacking endowment for it. The Now, as the fire swept viciously toward laboratory, thanks to its friends, is today Bar Harbor and our laboratory, it was clear much better and more effective than it was that nearly 20 years of basic research with before the fire. But, whatever befalls me, I'll all the money, effort and dedication involved never forget Jim Angell's words: "Don't let - was doomed. it get you, Pete - you're about to experience I stood and watched helplessly as the roar- a great adventure in faith." ing fire, driven by a 60-mile gale, ate its way He was right. I did. THE AUTHOR, one of the world's top medical authorities. Rocky Mountain News Denver Colo Sept. 9, 1956 Extract of Judge John A Peters' letter to Mr Jr dated November 8'47 and filed in S. H. 1947 Mt. Desert Island Fire env. I regret to say that the Dorr memorial is apparently ruined. The heat from the burning spring house forty feet away cracked and splintered the stone and the tablet that v.e took so much pains with. The foundation must be all right however and we vill start over again after I get a report from the mason. I assume that the spring house will be replaced in the same spot. The trees there do not seem so badly injured. Mr Jr reply-Nov 20'47 I am sorry to hear that the Dorr Memorial- so simple but so beautiful and SO wholly appropriate- was destroyed. But, like the boulder on which the tablet was erected, which neither fire nor frost will effect throughout the ages, stands the record written on the Island itself of Mr. Dorr's great life work. 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York 20, N. Y. ROOM 5600 can Bassett Hall Williamsburg, Virginia November 18,1947 Dear Mr. Rodick: I am pleased to learn from your letter of November 5th that my purchase from Mr. Dorr's estate of certain properties has been consummated and the deeds received. As I understand it, these deeds are all to me direct. Entirely at your convenience, and when you have recovered from the effects of the fire and the heavy additional strain of local problems that have been added to your personal problems, I shall be pleased to hear from you in reply to the several matters mentioned in Miss Warfield's letter to you of October 22nd and that have to do with correcting the maps and the records in connection with the various properties therein referred to which I have offered to the government for addition to Acadia National Park. Very sincerely, Mr. Serenus B. Rodick Bar Harbor Maine lage lot Ellsworth, Maine 17 November, 1947 Dear Mrs. hale: We are about ready to close up the worr estate. The 36,000. received from Mr. Rockefeller has been deposited to the credit of the 1 our active trustees and I expect to settle the account of Mrs. Sylvia and myself as execut rs at the January term of the Pro- bate at the latest. We shall pay into the bank (Bar harbor Trust Co. ) right away the balance in our hands of $18,912.21. That, with the 26,000. from Mr. Rockefeller and the 2,187.30 received from Thorndike ano Gilpin, will make a total of 27,099.71 on which the trustees will be entitled, I believe, to a commission of 2., leaving a balance of 25,744.73 net to distribute, one-half to the bar Marbor library, one-fourth to the nancock County Trustees of Public Reserva- for tions ano enc-fourth to the Abbe Museum. all other fees and expenses have been paid by Lue executors for convenience, including Crabbree's charge or the legal work of $400. - which is r asonable. I have ;iven to the cancer people, as / you know, the last odus and entis of books and pictures (all pictures and no books I guess) and have arranged with Rodick to take a deed of one 01 the two small pieces 01 land left so he can turn 10 over to some worthy purpose later to be determined. It is worth some- where from zero to $50., burned over now I believe. The other small piece Serenus suggests giving to the Town. It is near the incinerator plant I think. That will clean up everything and I shall be glad of it. -2- I have written President Sills, - as I felt free to do, knowing him well, - sug- gesting that he write me a letter waiving his share of the trustees' commissions, as he has done nothing, and saying that he approves of our disposition of the money. I assume that he will do so. I will send you, if pos- sible with this, the final account of the trustees to sign - you and your son. It may be undated pending our depositing the money above spoken of in the bank. I want to get the account filed as soon as possible. I will out on the appropriate date and execute it as one trustee before a notary when I get it back. There is only one other item I forgot to mention. The Government owes us 358. I nave sent the bank my check for that as if paid and when Hadley is ready to pay he can pay me. The 358. was for some furniture the executors sold Uncle Sam for the homans House. Now burned I suppose. I have to be in Portland the balance of this week - or till Thursday, Land next week I hope to view the Dorr memorial with Shea and the rest of the committee and see how much can be salvaged. .) Oi course we must start right over again and ,et it back by next summer. Very truly yours, John A. Peters Mrs. Richard W. Hale Needham, Mass. BOWDOIN COLLEGE BRUNSWICK, MAINE OFFICE OFTHE PRESIDENT November 20, 1947 My dear Judge: Your letter of November 17th was awaiting a reply when I returned today from two days in New York where I have been in attendance at the annual meeting of the Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation. Will you kindly tell the probate judge that I wish to waive the right of any fees and commission as one of the trustees under the will of Mr. Dorr as my duties have been entirely nominal. Kindly inform him further that I approve of the disposition of the estate in accordance with Mr. Dorr's wishes as follows: One-half to the Bar Harbor Public Library, one-fourth to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations and one- fourth to the Abbe Museum at Bar Harbor. I note this is your final report and I presume that I shall have nothing further to do in the matter. With warm personal regards, Faithfully yours, Kermetalka fills Hon. John A. Peters, Ellsworth C. 2 Page lofz United States Courts Warath Mr. Judge's Chambers Bangor, Maine 12 Luc Dear Sir: The late George Bucknam Dorr, who de- voted his life and fortune to the public wel- fare, left the small balance of his estate to trustees to be distributed for the benefit of the people at large without specifying any particular institutions or organizations as beneficiaries. The trustees named in Mr. Dorr's will were the President of Bowdoin College for the time being, Mrs. Richard W. Hale and her son Richard W. Hale Jr. - long-time friends of Mr. Dorr and deeply interested in Bar Harbor, his Secretary, Mrs. Phyllis S. Sylvia, and myself, an associate of Mr. Dorr in various activities for many years. The very moderate sun finally in the hands of the trustees for disposal considerably limits the field in which our discretion can be exercised; but, after consideration and ? consultation with other friends of Mr. Dorr, 'c for we have decided to allocate the amount in our hands, - $25,731.25, - one half to the Jesup Memorial Library, one quarter to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations and one quarter to the Robert Abbe Museum. In all of Jesys these institutions Mr. Dorr was deeply in- terested and the first two he was instrumental in founding. We feel that this disposition will come as near to meeting his wishes as the amount to be distributed will permit. We are not unmindful of the paramount interest of Mr. Dorr in the National Park, - which will be a perpetual monument to his pub- lic spirit, - but the Park has already received, through the years, in different ways, a large part of his fortune, and we feel that if he had desired to give it any more he would have said so. 2 -2- The check with voucher enclosed is in accordance with the above mentioned disposi- tion of the funds in our hands. This donation is made without restric- tions for the general purposes of your or- ganization. Your records will show, of course, that it came from the estate of Mr. Dorr. Yours truly, John A. . Peters I'm Q. Print Camany Robut marmoriz Bar Hanta, main HANCOCK COUNTY TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC RESERVATIONS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BLACK HOUSE COMMITTEE TRUSTEES OF George L. Stebbins, President Ernest T. Paine, Chairman Gerard L. Austin, Secretary WoodLawn, in Ellsworth, Maine Richard W. Hale, Jr., Vice-Chairman Mrs. Jacques Cornelis Albert H. Cunningham, Treasurer Bequest of GEORGE NIXON BLACK Mrs. Philip Lovell Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, First Vice-President Mrs. John C. Spring R. Amory Thorndike, Second Vice-President OFFICE OF THE TREASURER Miss Adeline Wing Hon. John A. Peters Professor Augustin Derby BAR HARBOR, MAINE Col. H. B. Hayden Ernest T. Paine Harold A. Pitman Charles K. Savage December Sixteen 1947 Hon. John A. Peters, Ellsworth, Maine. Dear Judge Peters: This is to acknowledge your letter of December 12, enclosing the check of the trustees under the will of George Bucknam Dorr, payable to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations. I therefore enclose, herewith, the duly executed voucher for your files. May I further advise you that the enclosed letter has been delivered to the Bar Harbor Times for publication, exactly as written and following a para- graph outlining briefly the amount received by each beneficiary. I sincerely trust that this arrangement will meet with your approval, however should you desire a change in the proposed publication I would appreciate your advice. As to the disposition of the funds by the Hancock County Trustees, I would assume that it would be well to leave such disposition to the discretion and vote of the executive committee. To this end I would appreciate any thoughts which you may have on the subject, as the funds will be held in a general account and not allocated to either principal or in- come pending decision. Very truly yours, AHC/vh G A. H. Cunningham, Treasurer. Enc. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ADDRESS ONLY WASHINGTON 25, D. C. THE DIRECTOR. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE May 18, 1948. AIR MAIL Langs YELL CRANDUM for the Superintendent, Acadia National Parx. CC: our On May 12, Mr. Grover O'Neill, of 20 Exchange Place, New York City, called at this Office in connection with the continuing desire of Mrs. O'Neill, a distant relative of former Superintendent Dorr, and himself to procure for reasons of sentiment certain items of family furniture and household equipment located in the "Old Farm" home of the late superintendent. Mr. O'Neill stated that the matter was not of sufficient importance to them to warrant special legisla- tion to authorize the disposal of the desired items to himself and Mrs. O'Weill as mentioned in our letter to him of September 25, 1947. 3e indicated, however, that he should like to purchase such of the desired items as were not needed by the Service if appropriate ar- rangements for their sale could be worked out. Mr. O'Neill left with us a list of items prepared from notes taken by him when he visited the Park last fall. A copy of the list is attached, and you will observe that the items have been classi- fied to anow those in which they are "mostly interested," "inter- ested, If and "not particularly interested. Please go over the list carefully to determine whether any of the items desired by the O'Neills are of such a nature as could be disposed of at this time. In addition to the suggestions for the disposition OI the "Old Farm" furnishings-contained in your memoran- dum of October 3, 1947, the thought occurs to us that some of the items may possess historic or antique values, and while they might not be suitable for use at Acadia, they might be utilized at areas, such as Salem Maritime, Adams Vansion, Vanderbilt Mansion, Colonial, or Morristown. You, of course, are familiar with the type of fur- nishings and equipment involved and doubtless are in a position to evaluate their adaptability and usefulness at Acadia and elsewhere. Our thought is merely that we might accommodate Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill with respect to such of the items desired by them as can be clearly demonstrated to have no further use to the Service. If, after studying the list of items, you conclude that there are a number that night well be disposed of, please furnish us with a general description of each item and its approximate value. It may later prove necessary to have qualified appraisers set a value on each of the items selected for disposal prior to their actual sale. Should any of the items selected for sale still be desired by Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill, consideration can be given to their sale pur- suant to the authority contained in the act of January 24, 1923 (42 Stat. 1215, 16 U.S.C. sec. 9), as supplemented by section 8 of the act of August 2, 1946 (Public Law 600, 79th Cong. ), the proceeds of sale to be held for application toward the eventual purchase of similar equipment. In considering this matter on this occasion and previously, we have been unable to locate in our records a copy of the Bill of Sale under which the furnishings and equipment in "Old Farm" were trans- ferred to the United States by Mr. Dorr in 1941. When submitting your report, please furnish us with a copy of the Bill of Sale. (SED) 3002 ACTING Assistant Director. Enclosure 536. CC: Regional Director, Region One, with a copy of Mr. O'Neill's list. 2 REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES NARA/CP1RG79/CCF, 1933-49] Acadian Bar 795. $51.5 copy referred UNITED STATES L C DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEMIT 0 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE P 535 Y Acadia National Park 27th Bar Harbor, Maine May 20, 1948 now MEMORANDUM for the Regional Director, Region One. Sanded I regret to inform you of the death on Monday, May 17, of Mr. Serenus B. Rodick, formerly a member of our organization as an attorney. Mr. Rodick's passing was sudden, the result of a cerebral hemorrhage. Mr. Rodick was most helpful before, during and after his official connection with the park, having an extensive knowledge of the land title history of this region which was invaluable in studying the titles to the many parcels of land which comprise the park. No other person in town possesses even in small measure similar knowledge. The park has lost a staunch friend and valued advisor. /8/ B. L. Hadley, B. L. Hadley, Superintendent. REGION ONE 5 1948 UNITED STATES - Reg DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Clast City NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Plane & Design Acadia National Park Engineering Bar Barber, Aine Forcary History Archeology July 13, 1948 Soil Conservation Cuncessions MEMORANDUL for the Director. Reference is made to I. iller's of by 18, 1948, rela- tive to er. Crever Ceill's deaire to obtain certain items of furniture and sipment now in Oldfarm nd conveyed to the government by J. Dorr by 3111 of Sale dated September 16, 1041. I enclose a copy of the Bill of Sale. So far as I know the original document was cant to your office with the abstract and dend to the proceety. To the Bill of Sale and its attached inventory is a second copy of the inventory bearing certain aridings which are explained on four lists which are also enclosed. have broken the investory into four lists AS follows: Rapt List Co. 1 - Items taken from Oldform to Ecuans House by Mrs. Coloynolds. All destroyed by Fire Cetsber 23, 1047. These items are marked with of red "3" on is inventory. List No. 2 - Items on this list are at present in the Superintendent's residence, Stora Beach Cottage. They are marked with a blue "s" on the inventory. List No. 3 - Items on this list are those emuerated on the list submitted by Mr. Grover O'seill, say 12, 1948. They are marked with a green "0" on the inventory. List No. 4 - Items on this list are now in Oldfarm House. They are marked with a red "I" on the inventory. They are the remainder of the inventory items not accounted for on lists numbered 1,2 and 3. To list number 3 I have attached copies of Mr. O'Weill's list to which I have added property record numbers and values. I think you will have no difficulty in relating property record numbers and items on the fcur lists to those on the marked copy of the inventory. In each onse the numbers on the lists follow in sequence those on the inventory. The values given on the lists to the items are, with few exceptions, my com. They are subject to correction by acordisers so ld an appraisal be rade. j figures are probably quite conservative. Every item or. the inventory could he sold. more are two ways of doing it under government procedure which, so far as I know, can only be dere by advertised sale and bid. The two ways are (1) advertise and call for its on the entire inventory or (2) segregate the i I i-to lots tasai on appraised values and Advertise for bids on the lets. The socond method would, I believe, bring the greatest money return and be the most satisfactory. There are really no items of Historic or antique value, barring the Covernor Winthrop desk and two or three bureaus and stance. They have fair zoney value as pieces of good furniture, not 15 antiques. The items in which the Weills are interested wouldn't be of use to the Service in any area, sc for as I can 300. The Noills probably recard them carely from the stand cint of sentimental attachment through NTS. Waill's relationship to i. Dorr. Defore reaching 3 final decision CC the dis osition of the furniture, I venture to suggest that consideration be given to retaining some of the items CCW in by care in Star Beach Cottage. They do not conerise oven a NEW Skrt of the of the house and should not be looked upon as such. They do however, constitute 3 visible link between the park and Mr. Dorr. They relect his occupancy of the house they are new in and to a corree reflect his personality. For the sake of perpetuating that association for 1 time, at least, I think those pieces should be kept. For your information, the O'Neills are not awner of the fact that the items on the Storm Bench list arm where they are. 3. L. Dadley, Superintendent. In dunliente ac: egDirRegOne Enclosure 2 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON August 1946. ADDRESS ONLY THE DIRECTOR. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LEVORANDUI for the Director. nder Secretary Chapman telephoned ne yesterday upon his return from Readia. e stayed at the ionan's House the entire period OF his vacation and said that he had enjoyed it thoroughly and had otten a treat deal of rest. He said that he wanted to talk with ne about some in Acadia and wordline telephone me in a lay or two. This norming, secretary .rug called be on the telephone and asked me whether scar nac calked with me about certain zatters in Acadia. told the Secretary that uscar had telepnoned me and said that he wanted to talk with ce in 3 day or two. The Lecretary sail that he had 3 lon ith scar about facilities in cadia that were not being used. He centioned r. Corr's House" and the two Date Houses built by r. Rockereller. he Secretary expressed interest in Finding some way to put those Lacili- ties to se. de said that he thou. ht it was a shame to have such acili- ties and not use them when places for vacations were so scarce. told him that the Thing House" had been offered to the late resident Roosevelt by r. Corr but that he had not been interested. The Secretary asked me whether we had such Cacilities in any other park. : sai that one only other place was in the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration area where ve had former President Roosevelt's camp which is still being isec by the hite House officials. He asked ae to please make a aemorangum to talk with scar about the facilities in Acadia and saia that, if we developed somethin , he should like to be advised. The thought has occurred to e that either ational ar.: Concessions, Inc., or Government Services, Inc., might investi, these facilities with a view to seeing whether they could be operated for public use on 3 basis that would not cause a loss. I am afraid that the excense OI operation would be so heavy that they could not possibly be operated without Incur- ring a deficit. of course, we ii, ht advertise the "Big House" for rental during the summer season and accept the best bid, if any. I thou ent that you night wish to give this matter consideration while you are at Acadia and, if desired, I could have a representative or either of cur "non-profit distributing corporations make an investigation of the possibilities. Associate Director. George B. Dorr Collection George Bucknam Dorr, born to a wealthy family in Boston in 1853, was one of the original Bar Harbor "rusticators," who first came to Mount Desert Island in 1868. From that time on he continued to enjoy the natural beauty of Bar Harbor and its surrounding area. In 1901 Dorr was contacted by Charles W. Eliot, president of Harvard University and a member of the Northeast Harbor summer community, regarding the formation of a committee to hold land in the Mount Desert area for perpetual public use. Inspired hv the concept. George Dorr devoted the rest of his life and his family fortune to this proposition which eventually resulted in the establishment of Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916. In 1919 Sieur de Monts became Lafayette National Park, and in 1929 the name was changed to Acadia National Park. In addition to his tireless efforts in the formation of the park, George Dorr was its first superintendent. During his tenure he lived on the property his father had purchased in 1868. The property, Oldfarm, looked out over Frenchman's Bay and was an summer home Built of brick and granite. Also located on the property was a smaller guest cottage, Storm Beach. It was in this cottage that Dorr spent the latter part of his life. Oldfarm and Storm Beach were both completely furnished and on September 16, 1941 Dorr tranferred the properties and all contents to Acadia National Park. He died in 1944. The furnishings in Dorr's houses were inventoried and marked with NPS property stickers. Much of it was auctioned off while some was slated to be transferred to housing at other parks. Some of the furniture remained in Storm Beach cottage, including Dorr's Chippendale desk. Approximately 30 pieces remain at the park bearing the original NPS numbered stickers which have been checked against the 1941-42 inventory. Besides the desk, these include: Three chinese Rose Medallion vases, two bronze lamps, two bronze figurines, French onyx clock, Seth Thomas mantle clock, cast iron mirror, bedside table, mahogany bureau, five (?) walnut baloon- backed chairs, walnut bureau, majolica lamp base, five (?) oriental rugs, twin bed, brass fireplace fender and screen, two sets of andirons, one painted wood rocker, set of four cream ware and copper lustre flower pots and trays, and one small cabinet. OF DEPARTMENT THE United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Acadia National Park P.O. Box 177 IN REPLY REFER TO: Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 Mr. Dave Snyder Isle Royale National Park 87 North Ripley Street Houghton, MI 49931 April 15, 1988 Dear Dave: I enclose a copy of the inventory of Mr. George Dorr's property conveyed to the government on September 16, 1941. TWO additional memoranda of September, 1948 explain what happened to the furnish- ings of his properties. We still have 34 items at Acadia, and I hope that Isle Royale did indeed acquire some pieces since the remainder were sold and there is little chance of retrieving them. As I told you all of the furniture and other decorative arts were marked with numbers, and I enclose a photocopy of the type of sticker that marked them. The numbers, with few exception, seem to be in the 400's, 500' S and 600 S. I think I also told you that some were marked with black paint. I do not think rugs were marked (they seem to primarily oriental rugs) because we still have five and none is marked. I really appreciate your help in this matter. I know it is asking alot since you obviously have a great number of responsibili- - ties at your Park. I have a special interest in Mr. Dorr because he gave so much time, energy and all of his personal esaate to this Park. He was really our founding father, and he left his home, Oldfarm, to Acadia because that is were he worked so diligently to have Acadia established as a National Park. Less than 6 years after his death Oldfaem was demolished and his personal belongings dispersed in the manner described in the memorandum of September 3, 1948. I look forward to hearing from you at some point. Sincerely yours, meg Funced Meg Fernald B ANA3, f 10 cipy UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 25, D. C. October 22, 1948 RAZINGLE 020 il it Memorandum to the Superintendent, Acadia National Park. You will note that on October 8 we obtained at long last approval for the razing of "Old Farm". The mills surely grind slowly. Check amt.1949 I was sorry that I did not see more of you and Mrs. Hadley at the conference which I believe we all felt was a most success- ful one. I hope that you had an opportunity to visit a number of sup national park areas and to observe what makes the wheels go round. For myself this was the first summer since the war that I had a satisfactory opportunity to observe the realities in the field. With best regards to Mrs. Hadley and you. Director. CC: Reg. Dir., Region One. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR. GIFTS OF LAND TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - 1 - Summary Sheets showing gifts of land for development and extension of Acadia National Park - 1919 to 1949 (Lot numbers, property, approximate acreage, dates of offers, dates offers accepted, dates deeds transmitted, dates deeds accepted and recording data) Detail in connection with gifts to government for Acadia National Park (copies of correspondence, memoranda, etc.) 1, Beech Hill Property, west side of Mt. Desert Island 1919 2. Right-of-way over both ends of Jordan Pond Road 1927 (Eagle Lake Motor Road) 3. How portion of How-Pendleton Lot and 1/2 White Lot 1931 4. Offer of June 27, 1930 1 Otter Creek Lands A. Derby, Roberts & Leffingwell Lots 1930 B. "The Leop" 1933 G. Walter Stanley Lot 1934 D. Balance of Otter Greek lands in accordance with offer of June 27, 1930 1935-8 5. Brown Mountain Lands A. Brown Mountain Lodge and land in vicinity 1932 B. Balance of Brown Mountain lands (Land north of Upper 1934 Hadlock Pond, land north of Little Brown Mountain, land east of Somes Sound, land in Sound District, Southwest Valley land, Morrison Lot near Aunt Betty's Pond, and Morrison 300 acre lot) 6. Right-of-way Jordan Pond Road extension 1934 7. Eno-Hitferd Lot 1934 8. Park Motor Road Lands (Sieur de Monts Spring Road) 1935-6 (Offer of March 7, 1935) 9. Offer of March 14, 1935 (balance of Mr. Rockefeller's property acquired for extension and development of Park) A. Stanley Brook Let and Right-of-way 1936-8 B. Black Woods Road tract 1936-8 C. Lot 72 (Bray & Jellison - Camp Let in the Gorge) 1937 D. Day Mountain - Wildwood Farm Road link of Park Motor Road 1938-9 E. Paradise Hill Road - motor read extension north of Eagle Lake Road to Eden St. 1939-40 JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, JR. GIFTS OF LAND TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - 2 - 10. Kebo Mountain Road and continuation 1937-9 (continuation of Harden Farm Road from Kebo Mountain Road and around base of Strawberry Hill toward Bear Brook Farm) 11. Schooner Head Land (Bingham, Roberts and Hale Lot) 1937-8 12. Newport (Champlain) Mountain Road 1938-9 (Quarry Lot from Dorr, Beaver Dan Pool and Livingston Lot) 13. Jardan Pond Tea House, outlying buildings and Gate Lodge 1939-40 14. Boys Camp - west side Mt. Desert Island 1940 15. Offer of October 22, 1941 A. Otter Creek Land (Lots 72-5, 77-34) 1941-2 B. Stanley land at Sea Wall (w/s Mt. Desert Island) 1941-2 C. Land west of Somes Sound (Martin and Friends Lots) 1941-2 16. Beston Lot on Eagle Lake Road and Roberts Read (Lot 231) 1941-2 17. Kate J. Whitmore Lot (land across highway from Brown Mountain Lodge) 1942- 18. Statesbury - Bar Island property 1945-6 19. Derby Lot on Schooner Head 1946 20. Offer of March 3, 1946 As Ledgelawn Avenue Extension (Dorr purchases) 1946 B. Let at Kelly's corner 0. Dorr Estate land south of Echo Lake and also at south of Great Pond. BEECH HILL PROPERTY (conveyed to Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations) I. Copy letter Charles a Heydt to A. E. Tynam October 3, 1919 RIGHT-OF-WAY over both ends of motor road from Eagle Lake Road to Jordan Pond 2. Copy of offer from John D. Bockefaller, Jr. to Secretary of the Interior enclosing deed of right-of-way Nov. 2, 1927 1/2 HOW LOT 1/2 WHITE LOT 3. Memo re conveyance of Mr. Rockefeller's undivided interest in How and White Lots.