From collection Creating Acadia National Park: The George B. Dorr Research Archive of Ronald H. Epp
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George Bucknam Dorr Friends of Acadia Gala Brochure Aug 2005
"George buchnan Dorr,
Endoy Acadic gola prochese
August 2005
as
GEORGE BUCKNAM DORR
In a secluded area behind the Nature Center at Sieur de Monts Spring, fellow members of the Hancock County
Trustees of Public Reservations erected a chest high memorial stone for a "scholar, gentleman, and lover of nature"
that they designated "Father of Acadia National Park." The persistence and political savvy of George B. Dorr
(1853-1944) brought the park into being--and sustained it for more than four decades.
The Trustees who initially met on August 13, 1901 at the Seal Harbor Music Room were concerned about the
conflict between the preservation of land accessible to the public and real estate development. While visionary
Harvard President Charles W. Eliot retained Trustee Presidency until his death in 1926, the surviving documents
clearly show that for more than two decades most Trustee property acquisition was conceived, planned, negotiated,
and sometimes financed by Mr. Dorr.
As Bar Harbor summer residents since the 1870's, George Dorr and his parents had acquired more than a hundred
acres of Compass Harbor real estate where their Old Farm cottage was completed in 1880. They were among the
founding members (1888) of the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association, composed of summer residents and
local merchants who directed their activities toward public health, safety, and the preservation of "the natural
beauties of the place."
Village improvement members cleared surrounding forests, mapped the island, and developed an extensive system
of walking paths. This foundation of finely crafted paths, stone staircases, wooden bridges, and benches became a
source of inspiration for the park.
By hiking and retracing his steps systematically--ever attuned to the natural landscape--Dorr developed an
unrivaled knowledge of the island's public and hidden places that would prove most useful in his role as chief Trustee
acquisition agent. As we look at the photo of the Path Committee beside Jordan Pond, Dorr likely envied the
outdoor time spent by fellow Harvard graduate Waldron Bates who built or re-establish nearly 150 miles of trails
on the eastern side of the island.
The motivation for Dorr's ardent conservationism is complex but it is not insignificant that Dorr was blessed with
wealth and comfort. Gilded Age Boston afforded him access to old Yankee families and Brahmin culture. His
Harvard education, extensive travels to foreign lands, expertise in scientific observation, and exceptional ability with
languages were invaluable in his negotiation of complex Trustee land acquisitions.
Following the assembling of 5,000 acres of contiguous land and the Trustee funds provided by John D. Rockefeller
Jr., in 1916 Mr. Dorr established a national precedent when President Wilson accepted donated land and thereby
created the Sieur de Monts National Monument. Three years later with donated property now exceeding 10,000
acres, Congress established Lafayette National Park, renamed Acadia in 1929. At 65 years of age Dorr became its
first Superintendent, a position he held until his death.
Dorr expanded park boundaries beyond the Island, established a park infrastructure, collaborated with
Mr. Rockefeller to develop the carriage and motor road system, opened the summit of Cadillac Mountain to
vehicular traffic, and defended both the park and the Island against both State and Federal intrusiveness.
Immediately following Dorr's death, Assistant Superintendent Ben Hadley offered much more than the customary
testimonial: His "labor for [the creation of the park] is fresh in the minds of many, and to them the park will be a
monument to his memory. But at best, two generations hence, his labor will be a legend, and his name forgotten or
but casually recalled. No stone marks his burial and no tablet marks his great work." Presently, a stone tablet marks
his great work and a mountain adjacent to it bears his name. The far greater challenge for residents and visitors is
to make sure that Mr. Dorr's triumphs are not forgotten.
Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D.
Director of University Library & Associate Professor of Philosophy, Southern New Hampshire University
43
Mary
H.W. Gleason, Dorr & Eliot at Jordan fond
44
Friends of Acadia Benefit Gala
2005
Pitch Pid usAradia Mountain
The Board of Directors
and the Staff of Friends of Acadia
wish to express our deepest respect and
sincere gratitude to
Ken Olson:
who has so dynamically
contributed to and embraced the
Spirit of Acadia
in his ten years of leadership at Friends of Acadia.
faithwakers
42
44
Page 1 of 1
Epp, Ronald
From:
Terry Begley [terry@friendsofacadia.org]
Sent:
Friday, June 24, 2005 9:54 AM
To:
Epp, Ronald
Subject: Article for the Benefit Gala Catalogue
Ron,
We have begun working on the articles for the Benefit Gala Catalogue. I am hoping that you can write something about
the "Spirit of Acadia" and the Founding Fathers. I plan on using the photo of "The Pathmakers" to accompany your piece.
You probably know this photo, it is a wonderful photograph of Dorr and several others standing near Jordan Pond; Dorr
has a set of plans in his hand-great photo!
We are looking for something about 500 words or so. Please try to keep your piece lighthearted; as we don't want
anything too weighty.
Looking forward to seeing you soon and reading your piece.
Best,
Terry
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George Bucknam Dorr Friends of Acadia Gala Brochure Aug 2005
| Page | Type | Title | Date | Source | Other notes |
| 2-6 | Brochure | Friends of Acadia Gala Brochure Aug 2005: George Dorr Article by Ronald Epp and Brochure | 2005 | - | - |
| 7 | Email from Terry Begley to Ronald Epp: Article for the Benefit Gala Catalogue | 06/24/2005 | Ronald Epp | - |
Details
08/2005