"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