"From Monument to Park.' 7.0.A.Journal 7#3(Winter2002). FROM MONUMENT TO PARK: VOICES OF THE ADVOCATES Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. The National Archives contains a little The experts, selected from more than Charles Eliot summered on MDI with Harvard known document of great significance to twenty authorities marshaled by then Sieur College associates. In his testimony, Rand the Friends of Acadia. Legislative bill de Monts National Monument custodian said, "Nowhere else on the Atlantic coast is H.R. 11935. May 30, 1918, sought to elevate George B. Dorr (1853-1941) to testify on be- there such a wonderful combination of natu- Sieur de Monts National Monument to na- half of the bill, stress the scientific poten- ral scenery as this island possesses; nowhere tional park status. The bill refers to Mount tial of the new park. is there another spot where shore and moun- Desert National Park, but national park sta- Dorr's autobiographical Story of Acadia tain are SO grandly blended. For years it has tus was given to Lafayette National Park in National Park contains only five brief para- been renowned as the crowning glory of the 1919, which was renamed Acadia National graphs from over thirty-five pages of Con- beautiful, countless-harbored coast of Maine. Park in 1929. gressional testimony. The testimony given "The forests of Mount Desert Island were The full testimony before the House on behalf of national park status included once full of wealth, and full of wealth they Subcommittee of the Committee of Public the following champions who articulated would still be if the lumbermen had not Lands overlaps with contemporary convic- their vision for the park with uncommon done their work SO well The impor- tions about the importance of the park, eloquence. tance of preserving the woods which still yet in many ways the aesthetic, environ- Edward L. Rand (1859-1924) is best known remain no lover of Nature can question. mental, scientific, and recreational goals for his Flora of Mount Desert. He became They are infinitely precious as a part of depart from current values. involved in nature studies when he and the wild scenery of the place and for their 8 Friends of Acadia Journal V7 H Z Guides - spot can be thus preserved, for the perfec- "[The] park is like a great Rock Garden tion of this ideal? A detailed knowledge of set by nature on the ocean verge and need- the geography, the flora, and to some ex- ing only to be made accessible by entrance tent the soil conditions of eastern North roads and paths to be made a safe America brings several regions to mind; refuge for the region's native life handing but as a single area Mount Desert, with it down to future generations for their its adjacent islets and headlands, stands out delight and profit as offering the greatest natural diversity." "The area is unique; there is no other Ornithologist Edward H. Forbush (1858- like it. The problem is to preserve in the 1929) was a founder of the Massachusetts midst of a great annual flood of summer Audubon Society. His Birds of Massachusetts visitors the wild, primeval beauty and un- and Other New England States was regarded tamed elemental character which makes it as definitive. His statements submitted at SO and combine with the cool summer cli- the hearing include: "No northern situation mate and the presence of the sea to draw was ever better fitted to grow a great variety men to it." of fruiting plants for bird food. The remark- Finally, Secretary of the Interior Frederick able horticultural qualities of the island have K. Lane (1864-1921) identified the distinc- long been recognized, and both wild and tive qualities that brought the area into con- cultivated shrubs fruit there in extraordi- formity with evolving standards for park nary profusion. In the broad heath which status. "Mount Desert Island has important extends from the Bar Harbor region south- historic value. It is the place where ward to the mountains; in the wild gorge Champlain first landed on this coast, and beyond with bottom tarn which makes a the French had a station here years before natural highway for men and birds alike the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. between the island's northern and south- "Second: Scenically its impressive head- ern shores; and around the old beaver-pool lands give Mount Desert the distinction of ground out by the ice-sheet at the northern combining sea and mountain. These head- Somes Sound foot of Newport Mountain, there are won- lands are by far the loftiest on our Atlantic derful opportunities for natural bird gardens." coast. Their high, rounded summits, often In his personal testimony, George Dorr craggy, and their splendid granite shelves offered glimpses of his vision as he reiter- form a background for a rugged shore line ated themes developed in the Sieur de and an island-dotted harbor which is one Monts Publications (1916-1919). "To estab- of the finest that even the Maine coast can lish on the island a permanent exhibit present of this [Acadian] forest growing under origi- "Third: From the point of view of con- rful attraction to the city-wearied nal conditions has been from the first a con- servation, the value of the proposed park woman in search of a summer home stant aim with those who sought the park's can hardly be overestimated There are sting place." creation Longfellow sets the Acadian few spots, if any, which can combine the anist Merrit L. Fernald (1873-1950) scene for us in 'Evangeline' with This is variety and luxuriance of the eastern for- prolific Harvard College educator the forest primeval, the murmuring pines ests in such small compass. The rocks also own for the classic Gray's Manual and the hemlocks, and far out to sea in have their distinction. This was the first any, a work concentrated on botani- early, long-voyaged days the approaching part of the continent to emerge from the in eastern North America. In his sailor welcomed with delight the pungent prehistoric sea ny he argued the only way forest fragrance "Fourth: From a recreational standpoint, serve for the enjoyment and study "Everywhere there is life, spreading mats the Mount Desert Park would be capable re generations any portions of our of crowberry and the beautiful coast juniper of giving pleasure to all the people y which by good fortune still remain where they are deluged by the ocean spray [and] become one of the greatest of our r natural condition is the reserva- in winter storms Few forests in the world, public assets." appropriate tracts with the ex- indeed, outside the rainy tropics, clothe them- stipulation that they be left essen- selves with such abundant life, and there is Ronald Epp is Director of Shapiro Library and As- sociate Professor of Philosophy at the Southern New h their natural state none that bring one more directly into touch Hampshire University. He is working on a full-length here is the best spot, if only a single with nature, its wildness and its charm. biography of George B. Dorr. Friends of Acadia Journal 9 Page 1 of 1 Ronald Epp From: "Marla Major" To: "Ronald Epp'" Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 1:33 PM Subject: RE: FOA Journal Article Article received. Thank you, Ron. I expect to be here in mid-November, and look forward to seeing you. Best, Marla Original Message From: Ronald Epp [mailto:r.epp@snhu.edu] Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 12:31 PM To: marla@friendsofacadia.org Cc: r.epp@snhu.edu Subject: FOA Journal Article Dear Marla, Responding to your amil of July 17th, I've put together the article you requested for the winter issue At about 1,050 words it may be too lengthy for your purposes. If so, you may cut in whole or part the remarks by Frederick Lane which conclude the article, though they do nicely summarize the official position of the new NPS. I think that it is important to be most careful about quotation marks so as to distinquish clearly my incidental words from those of the authorities cited in the Congressional Record. If you choose to use an image, you might want to consider using the title page of the Congressional legislation (I'll fax it to you along with the article) since the entire piece rests on this singular document. Obviously I entirely welcome the editorical modifications that you believe are necessary. Please confirm receipt of this. Finally, I hope to spend a few days in Bar Harbor for research and some interviews: November (13-15). Perhaps I can take you to lunch if you are available. Ron Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. Director of the Harry & Gertrude Shapiro Library Southern New Hampshire University 2500 North River Road Manchester, NH 03106-1045 603-668-2211, ext. 2164 603-645-9685 (fax) 10/1/2002 FROM MONUMENT TO PARK: VOICES OF THE ADVOCATES Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. The National Archives contains a little known document of great significance to the Friends of Acadia. It is the legislative bill to elevate Sieur de Monts Monument through establishment of Mount Desert National Park, which would be renamed Lafayette then Acadia National Park. The full testimony before the House Subcommittee of the Committee of Public Lands overlaps with contemporary convictions about the importance of the Park--and yet in many ways the aesthetic, environmental, scientific, and recreational goals depart from current values. The experts selected for this compilation from more than twenty authorities marshalled by Sieur de Monts Monument custodian George B. Dorr, stress the scientific potential of the new park. Anticipating research developed at the MDI Biological Laboratories, the objectives they envisioned are being realized. Mr. Dorr's autobiographical Story of Acadia National Park unfortunately contains only five brief paragraphs from over thirty-five pages of Congressional testimony (H.R. 11935, May 30, 1918). A closer examination of the testimony reveals that the following champions have articulated their vision of the park with uncommon eloquence. Edward L. Rand (1859-1924) is best known for his Flora of Mount Desert. He became involved in nature studies when he and Charles Eliot summered on MDI with Harvard College associates. "Nowhere else on the Atlantic coast is there such a wonderful combination of natural scenery as this island possesses; nowhere is there another spot where shore and mountain are so grandly blended. For years it has been renowned as the crowning glory of the beautiful, countless-harbored coast of Maine. The forests of Mount Desert Island were once full of wealth, and full of wealth they would still be if the lumbermen had not done their work so well The importance of preserving the woods which still remain no lover of Nature can question. They are infinitely precious as a part of the wild scenery of the place and for their wonderful attraction to the city-wearied man or woman in search of a summer home and resting place. " Botanist Merrit L. Fernald (1873-1950) was a prolific Harvard College educator well known for the classic Gray's Manual of Botany, a work concentrated on botanical life in eastern North America. In his testimony he argued that " the only way to conserve for the enjoyment and study of future generations any portions of our country which by good fortune still remain in their natural condition is the reservation of appropriate tracts with the explicit stipulation that they be left essentially in their natural state Where is the best spot, if only a single spot can be thus preserved, for the perfection of this ideal? A detailed knowledge of the geography, the flora, and to some extent the soil conditions of eastern North America brings several regions to mind; but as a single area Mount Desert, with its adjacent islets and headlands, stands out as offering the greatest natural diversity." Ornithologist Edward H. Forbush (1858-1929) was a founder of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States was regarded as definitive. The statements submitted at the hearing include: "No northern situation was ever better fitted to grow a great variety of fruiting plants for bird food. The remarkable horticultural qualities of the island have long been recognized, and both wild and cultivated shrubs fruit there in extraordinary profusion. In the broad heath which extends from Bar Harbor region southward to the mountains; in the wild gorge beyond with bottom tarn which makes a natural highway for men and birds alike between the island's northern and southern shores; and around the old beaver-pool ground out by the ice-sheet at the northern foot of Newport Mountain, there are wonderful opportunities for natural bird gardens." In his personal testimony, Acadia National Park founder George B. Dorr (1853-1941) offers glimpses of his vision as he reiterated themes developed in the Sieur de Monts Publications (1916-19). "To establish on the island a permanent exhibit of this [Acadian] forest growing under original conditions has been from the first a constant aim with those who sought the park's creation Longfellow sets the Acadian scene for us in Evangeline with 'This is the forest primeval, the murmuring pines and the hemlocks, and far out to sea in early, long-voyaged days the approaching sailor welcomed with delight the pungent forest fragrance Everywhere there is life, spreading mats of crowberry and the beautiful coast juniper where they are deluged by the ocean spray in winter storms Few forests in the world, indeed, outside the rainy tropics, clothe themselves with such abundant life, and there is none that bring one more directly into touch with nature, its wildness and its charm." [The] park is like a great Rock Garden set by nature on the ocean verge and needing only to be made accessible by entrance roads and paths to be made a safe refuge for the region's native life handing it down to future generations for their delight and profit The area is unique; there is no other like it. The problem is to preserve in the midst of a great annual flood of summer visitors the wild, primeval beauty and untamed elemental character which makes it so and combine with the cool summer climate and the presence of the sea to draw men to it." Finally, Secretary of the Interior Frederick K. Lane (1864-1921) identified the distinctive qualities that brought the area into conformity with evolving standards for park status. "Mount Desert Island has important historic value. It is the place where Champlain first landed on this coast, and the French had a station here years before the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. Second: Scenically its impressive headlands give Mount Desert the distinction of combining sea and mountain. These headlands are by far the loftiest on our Atlantic coast. Their high, rounded summits, often craggy, and their splendid granite shelves form a background for a rugged shore line and an island-dotted harbor which is one of the finest that even the Maine coast can present Third: From the point of view of conservation, the value of the proposed park can hardly be overestimated There are few spots, if any, which can combine the variety and luxuriance of the eastern forests in such small compass. The rocks also have their distinction. This was the first part of the continent to emerge from the prehistoric sea... Fourth: From a recreational standpoint, the Mount Desert Park would be capable of giving pleasure to all the people [and] become one of the greatest of our public assets." 10.01.02 FOA1002c