"Seal Harbor's Contributions to the Formation the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations." " Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society. Abby Rockefeller Chapel. August 19, 2016 Repa 8/14/16 Seed Handon VIS. Notes- "Script" /- Stabbis 1938 essay See # 2) 2 Johr Peters of Blue Hill survey land in Slt + NELT between 1797-1807. lless. born Peters, were J.A. Peters & J.A. Peters g. of Ellsworth The latter, Dredge of th U.S.distract correct and 2- fer Congressmen, was a consereots coest supporter had upt. rale in controlling waterquealty fea Fordan Pould. of GBD al the Executor estate Peter also 3-In 1796 On. Bengalu of Pleibdelph pendend dora of esteen half I MDI (point f de gregorie forests tract on Bingliams death, 2 daughter mature weber f the Boring bondy family of London Sealthorbor propertiput this new bach to that Bornis Relevance? Thomas area Wall of boston was the Boing representative n the U.S.from 1828-53 ad to Sons San t Ward control role of establedy lever of credit furett 30ver Hrs growdoon, 6BD, is linked again to the development of S. Harbor. Establishment of the 4. HCTPR was the most important development in the history of the island, here Established IN Seal Harber. First deed (6/5/1908) wesClamplain 5. Stebbins on Mankermen, pg. 8. 1 8/3/16 Deal Hastor NEW Labrary. My research here began in 2002 and was completed by 2005, thats to helpoul Bob Pyle at FIAA Haas Focus on Eliot forely and B favord when other village Libraries, historicals societies, and ANP archives exhausted. Biographical proper Similtaneously off island. Elizobeth bring me her in 1985. Hiking, exploring, engaging locals. Questions @ Dorr O oldform's creation (1880), +1st visit (1868). Vague references to Boston t textile fortune. No interest in motivational questions. What character traets in Dorr, his parents, and grandparents contubuted to his decision to chospion land preservation in Maine ? When hizzie ad I relocated to New Hampshere in 2001 - following October 2000 trail conterence- I pnew I was positioned to research answer, and share my Andings with others - yes, a bridge to retirement From what? Additional notzs: Stabbins In 1910, Stebbins+ investors, secured 3,600 asses to Dorr Sdl 1,600 hot 5. 380 aeres, incl. NW stope of Serget Me 3/18/12 Lot 16 : Stebbxs / John S. Melcher 2,040 acres remaining, whole 5F Weskon slope of Jordan Pont; Include Souteen partia of Sargest itt. t las to west 3/7/12 Lot 17 ; Stebbins, 900 acres E. of Jorden Pond. Include 5.Bubble Permetic + Triad lts. 3/9/12 Lot 63 : Stebhias and Thomas elecTrityre. Quit claim resoletia of Lot 16. Dangin 6/5/22, PATH WORK BY THE SEAL HARBOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY, 1900-1916 The Seal Harbor VIS was incorporated in 1900. At this time, existing foot paths included remnants of old logging roads and a few paths used by early rusticators, such as the Seaside Path from the Seaside Inn to Jordan Pond. A small boarding house in the 1870s, the Seaside Inn was expanded in the 1890s to become one of three large hotels in Seal Harbor, that could accommodate a total of two hundred guests (Figure 58). A popular activity was strolling along the coast and to inland mountains in the and lakes. Beginning in 1890, the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association also built paths area to improve pedestrian connections between the two villages. 112 From the inception of the Seal Harbor VIS, there was an active Roads and Paths Committee. The purpose of the committee, as stated in the bylaws, was to "improve, so far as funds permit, the conditions of the roads, paths, sidewalks and signposts, and to attend to the preservation of trees Path and plants." Early path work focused on trails in and around the village. In 1901, through the Joint Committee, a maintenance district was defined for the Seal Harbor committee. This district was Path later expanded as the Seal Harbor VIS built more trails and raised more funds for trail maintenance. Committee chairmen John Van Santvoord and Joseph Allen were particularly energetic path builders. which Between 1900 and 1917 approximately twenty miles of paths were added to the system, most of connected with preexisting mountain paths. 113 M.C Brown Historic Holing Trail system of Mount Desert Island N.P.S. 10CLP-draft doc., 1999.8g MOUNT usen George Stebbins was key to creation of Acadia Editor's Note: The following is arrived on the island and soon be- the fourth and final story in a four- came involved in the movement part. series about Acadid National Park's founding fathers. to protect its natural beauty. He very often employed Mr. Stebbins By Anne Funderburk as an agent to acquire lands both for himself and for the trustees. G eorge Ledyard Stebbins, the first) treasurer of the Rockefeller also asked his advice Hancock County Trustees in hiring local contractors to work of Public Reservations, was born on building the carriage roads and on May 15, 1862, in Cazenovia, bridges. Mr. Stebbins had engaged N.Y. His father, Charles M. Steb- local craftsmen to build several bins, had served as secretary to summer rental "cottages," many of Governor Samuel B. Tilden in Al- which were designed by his bany where (according to family brother-in-law, Duncan Candler. lore) he was "led by bad company Having had ample experience of into the evils of drink His two el- the quality of their work, he was der sons also became alcoholics, table to vouch for them to Mr. Rockefeller so in order to support the family George, the third son, left high Mr. Stebbins worked with the school to work for his mother's trustees from 19012 1949, serv uncle, David Dows a wealthy and ing first as treasurer, later as a highly successful member of the vice-president, and finally as pres- New York Produce Exchange This ident for the five years prior to his experience undoubtedlyji retirement. During this period he tributed to his strong sense of doped withsthe demands of rais- sponsibility and gave him excel ing young family, caring for a lent training in financial wife disabled. by tuberculosis, management, traits which!resulted teaching his children to build in his repeated appointments to trails, ensuring that the realty positions of trust in later life. company and the water company Around 1890 Mr. Stebbins en functioned smoothly, and protect- tered into a business partnership ing the ovillage of Seal Harbor with an Englishman, George Bor efroms outside exploitation. In wick Cooksey These two bright March of 1924 he accompanied young men succeeded invcorner Mr. Dorr to Washington, D.C., in ing the lard market) during order to testify at a congressional Panic of 1893 When prices are hearing investigating Mr. Rocke- bounded, they sold out and made feller's work in Acadia National their fortunes Mr. Cooksey had FUNDERBURK Park. Although his Wife poor married his partner's cousin; George Ledyard Stebbins health required them to winter in Linda Dows, one of the five ex southern California, they contin tremely well dowered daughters of letty ued coming to Seal Harbor every David Dows. They had honey tions of the newly-invented Ford Rhodes of "Ravenscleft"), summer, when he would take his mooned in Seal Harbor, fallen in portable sawmills which enabled plotted his downfall. She intro- grandchildren. on nature walks, love with the place, and he de loggers to cut at will where they cided to invest in local real estate would. Thus he enthusiastically duced him to Ficharming guest, teaching them the Latin names of with the idea of developing a sum- Miss Edith Alden Candler of New flowers and reminding them not responded to the call in 1901 mer resort community. York, daughter of attorney Flamen to pick but to leave them to de join with President Eliot, George Unfortunately he fell victim to B. Candler and sister. of architect light the next passer- He also B. Dorr and others in forming a a mental illness and began spend- Duncan Candler. George and taught them to pick up bits of group to protect that beauty, the Edith often went canoeing, which waste paper on the path; these ing his wife's considerable fortune Hancock County Trustees of Pub were taken back to his house. buying up large tracts of land, in- lic Reservations. was considered a proper pastime, cluding parts of Pemetic Moun and they enjoyed many hiking "Cedar Cliff," and burned in the It was probably Mr. Stebbins parties together. At the summer's parlor fireplace with due cere- tain. Since. there was no married who persuaded his next-doori end, Mrs. Rhodesisummoned Mr. mony. women's property act in place at neighbor, Caroline Dana Bristol, Stebbins into her In 1950, at the age of 88 and that time, Linda was powerless to lend her music room 1 presence and still asked him about "that dear little suffering from progressive heart over his actions. She appealed to standing on Rowland Road 1 as a girl with the coral necklace." (Miss disease, he realized that he could her father for help, whereupon he site for the first meeting of the dispatched his trusted great Candler was 15 years his junior). no longer make the !transconti- trustees (at which he was elected. nephew to Maine with instruc- After beating about the bush for nental trip. He died in Santa Bar- treasurer). In Cooksey tions to "clean up that mess in several minutes, Mrs. Rhodes fi- bara in 1952, having devoted most and Mr. Stebbins arranged one of of his long life to protecting and Seal Harbor." George L. Stebbins the first donations of land to the nally burst out, "Well, George! Did trustees, namely a site on the she say yes? to which he meekly preserving the beauty of the island was charged with the uncomfort hé loved able task of having his former answered, "Yes, Mrs. Rhodes The southeast edge of Icy Hill, fronting business partner and good friend couple was married late in the fall on the Sea Cliff Drive (now called declared mentally sincompetent. of 1903 and spent part of their Anne Stebbins Funderburk is the Cooksey Drive), for placement of He was subsequently appointed Monument honeymonn where granddaughter. of George Ledyard drifted high that Wrote the story above dministra to fallish cousin 1910 Mr. Stebbins partnered with they snowshoed up onto the roof of gentle man Linda's financial affairs. five others to purchase a vast tract of the old Jordan Pond House who quietly did so much for the vil- Mr. Stebbins, too, had fallen in of land, donating 1,600 ácres on love with Seal Harbor, and, being 1913 John D. Rockefellet lage of Seal Harbor and the island Green Mountain (now Cadillac) of Mount Desert a bachelor with no encumbrances to the trustées. In his "Random bits os decided to carry out Mr. Cook- Notes on the Early History and sey's plans for the village. He as- Development as a Summer Resort sumed direction of Cooksey Re- of Mount Desert Island and in alty and Seal Harbor Water Particular Seal Harbor," (1938) Company, taking the greatest Mr. Stebbins emphasizes that the Page 2:A Forderburte pains to ensure that the interests establishment of the trustees: was of the local population should not "the most important development be sacrificed to those of the grow- in the history of the island." ing summer community. When Mr Stebbins was famed as the Seal Harbor Village Improve- great heel and-toe' walker; at 6 ment Society (SHVIS) was formed feet, 2 inches tall and blessed with in 1900, an active Roads and Paths extremely long flegs, a he could Committee, chaired by Edward cover the ground at a pace that left Lothrup Rand, developed 17 new competitors gasping for breath paths in four years, including new Since he kept neither carriage not routes to the Jordan Pond House horse, he jog-trotted everywhere and the Tilting Rock on Day he twent, wearing long stockings, Mountain. Mr. Stebbins was plus fours (knee breeches), tweed elected treasurer; he also executed jacket, and a jaunty [straw boater many other SHVIS roles for nearly With his dark hair, upswept mus- half a century. tache twinkling pince nez and Mr. Stebbins was keenly aware open countenance, he cut such an of the special beauty of Mount impressive figure that he was nick Desert Island and of the need to named "Handsome Stebbins preserve this from the depreda Many young ladies fluttered around this tall and highly eligible bachelor, but he remained single MILL MALL till the age of 40, when the most STATE ST., ELLSWORTH determined matchmaker of the Seal Harbor summer community, PHOTO COURTESY ANNE FUNDERBURK HOURS: MON SAT. 9 A.M. 8 P.M. SUN 9 A.M.-3 P.M. Anne Card Rhodes (Mrs. James Géorge Stebbins in his office in Seal Harbor. 7/22/2016 XFINITY Connect XFINITY Connect eppster2@comcast.net + Font Size - Fw: speak @ VIS Annual Mtg. From : Anne Funderburk Tue, Jul 19, 2016 07:34 AM Subject : Fw: speak @ VIS Annual Mtg. To : Ronald & Elizabeth Epp Cc : Anne Funderburk , Alex Stephens I used the wrong e-mail address so am trying again. Alex, please note that the Ronald & Elizabeth Epp is the correct one, NOT the eppster one I sent you. Sorry for the muddle. Must clean up my contact list. Anne Subject: re: speak @ VIS Annual Mtg. Dear Ron, I know you're in Bar Harbor today and hope you have your computer with you. The President of the Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society asked me to invite you to be our guest speaker at our Annual Meeting in August (either the 19th or the 21st) in the late afternoon. Your biography of Mr. Dorr has aroused great interest among our members, and I think you'd have a most appreciative audience. Are you free on either of those dates? If only one, then we could perhaps schedule our meeting to fit your calendar. Could you let me know if this would work for you at your earliest convenience? I do hope you can accept. Lance & I look forward to having you with us July 28-31. Safe travels till then. Hugs & love, Anne & Lance tps://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/h/printmessage?id=380964&tz=America/New_York&xim=1 1/1 7/23/2016 XFINITY Connect: Fw: speak @ VIS Annual Mtg. Hello, Guest Shop/Upgrade My Account Support My XFINITY Sign Out Email usage: Search Mail Search 11% of 10 GB Email Voice Address Book Calendar Text Messaging Preferences Help Fw: speak @ VIS Mailboxes Close New Get Mail Reply Reply to All Forward Delete Move Spam Print Actions Inbox (9) Sent dear Ron, I'm having trouble getting your present e-mail address correctly. CANP Reviews Hope this reaches you. Alex says the 19th is fine; 1/2 hour speech O.K.? Drafts Please let me know if you get this note. Thanks, anne Spam Trash From: Anne Funderburk Acadia Centennial P Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 10:04 PM To: Ron Epp Acadia Copyedit Cc: Anne Funderburk ; Alex Stephens ANPFindingAid1113 Subject: Fw: speak @ VIS Annual Mtg. CANP CANP Images Dear Ron, CANP Cover CANP Final1 Thank you for your kind letter and so glad you made it home safely. Are you getting a scratchy Speaker's Voice from all your "book talks"? So far as I know, Friday, the 19th of August, should work for the VIS. I'm forwarding CANP Final2 your letter to our President, Alex Stephens, who is my neighbor down the street. He can probably give you a CANP Proofs better idea of time than I can, but I should think that an hour would be ample time. CANP Talks CCC Garden dedica Perhaps you might focus somewhat on the role of Seal Harbor as the physical place where the HCTPR held DorrBio2008 (31) their first meeting. I wonder is any of the VIS members at that time were also involved with the Trustees? Chapman I'll try to find a list of the founders of VIS (1900 or 1901) for you to see if there's any overlap. I can also PROMOTIONS ask my Dunham cousins as I know that Dr. Edward K. Dunham was one of the Founders. Richard Hoe (a banker who married Annie L. Dows and built "Eastholm") was present at the meeting to represent the Cooksey interests. I think that maybe the Rev. William Adams Brown (of "Treetops") may also have attended. PROGRESSIVE You could save an average Anyway, if you're interested, let's talk about it. Can to send me your phone #? We're (207) 276-3301. of $497 when you switch to Progressive Looking forward to working with you on this. Best thanks and love, Anne Get a tree quote today! © 2015 Comcast Cable Communications Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact Us Add Comcast Services https://web.mail.comcast.net/zimbra/mail?app=mail#3 1/1