The property at Spruce Point was purchased by Frederick Allen in 1841. He was the first person of African descent to own land in the area. His family of 12 lived on this property until the 1890s. Spruce Point was also referred to as Negro Point.
Description: The property at Spruce Point was purchased by Frederick Allen in 1841. He was the first person of African descent to own land in the area. His family of 12 lived on this property until the 1890s. Spruce Point was also referred to as Negro Point.
Building of Arts was built for the summer population of Bar Harbor. It was meant to be a place where music lovers and professional musicians from all over the country would come to entertain the summer colony. Members of the building committee included George Dorr, Mr. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Robert Abbe. Guy Lowell of Boston, Massachusetts, was chosen as architect for the building. It was finished in 1907 with a final cost of approximately $100,000. The opening concert was held on Saturday, July 13, 1907. Mme. Emma Eames and Mr. Emilio De Gogorza were soloists. Over the next 35 years the Building of Arts held concerts and shows by Ernest Schelling, Paderewski, Walter Damrosch, dancer Ted Shawn, Josef Hofmann, and many others, including celebrated stars from Hollywood and Broadway. By the end of this time period the building had fallen into disrepair and was sold in January 1943 to Earl D. and Charles A. Holt for $305.24. Just four years later in April 1947 the Holts sold the building to Consuello Sides of Boston and New York. The plan was to use it as a summer theater. In October 1947 the Building of Arts was destroyed by fire. See also: "Lost Bar Harbor," p. 110. "Bygone Bar Harbor - A Postcard Tour of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park," p. 16. "Maine Cottages: Fred L. Savage and the Architecture of Mount Desert," p. 232.
Description: Building of Arts was built for the summer population of Bar Harbor. It was meant to be a place where music lovers and professional musicians from all over the country would come to entertain the summer colony. Members of the building committee included George Dorr, Mr. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Robert Abbe. Guy Lowell of Boston, Massachusetts, was chosen as architect for the building. It was finished in 1907 with a final cost of approximately $100,000. The opening concert was held on Saturday, July 13, 1907. Mme. Emma Eames and Mr. Emilio De Gogorza were soloists. Over the next 35 years the Building of Arts held concerts and shows by Ernest Schelling, Paderewski, Walter Damrosch, dancer Ted Shawn, Josef Hofmann, and many others, including celebrated stars from Hollywood and Broadway. By the end of this time period the building had fallen into disrepair and was sold in January 1943 to Earl D. and Charles A. Holt for $305.24. Just four years later in April 1947 the Holts sold the building to Consuello Sides of Boston and New York. The plan was to use it as a summer theater. In October 1947 the Building of Arts was destroyed by fire. See also: "Lost Bar Harbor," p. 110. "Bygone Bar Harbor - A Postcard Tour of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park," p. 16. "Maine Cottages: Fred L. Savage and the Architecture of Mount Desert," p. 232. [show more]
The Johnson Homestead in Belfast, Maine is a beautiful house just at the junction of Church and High Streets. The Johnsons owned and lived in several houses on Primrose Hill, trading occupancy as one family member died and another took his place. The Johnson’s daughter, Louise Miller Johnson Pratt, Mrs. William Veazie Pratt, lived at this house at various times and at the “Pratt House,” another Johnson family house at 100 High Street on Primrose Hill. The house photographed by Henry L. Rand in 1903 was the one at what is now 156 Church Street, but was formerly 76 Church Street. It is a graceful square two story frame house with clapboarded walls, a central front entrance and portico, four chimneys, a low hip roof and an octagonal tower. The house was built in 1801 by Thomas Whittier, complete with ballroom, and used as a tavern. It was called “the best public house in Maine.” Edward and Georgianna Parker (Miller) Johnson lived at 178 Marlborough Street in Boston from 1891 and spent their summers in Belfast, after 1901 retiring to the “Johnson Homestead” at 156 Church Street. The house in the photographs shown in this collection is just at the place where Church Street later became High Street and the address changed depending upon the year and the agency noting the address. See also: “Old Houses of Belfast” by Elizabeth M. Mosher, Belfast Free Library, p. 19, 57-60, 1983. “History of the City of Belfast in the State of Maine from its First Settlement in 1875 to 1900” by Joseph Williamson, published by Loring, Short and Harmon, 1877 and 1913. “History of the City of Belfast in the State of Maine from its First Settlement in 1770 to 1875” by Joseph Williamson, published by Loring, Short and Harmon, 1877.
Description: The Johnson Homestead in Belfast, Maine is a beautiful house just at the junction of Church and High Streets. The Johnsons owned and lived in several houses on Primrose Hill, trading occupancy as one family member died and another took his place. The Johnson’s daughter, Louise Miller Johnson Pratt, Mrs. William Veazie Pratt, lived at this house at various times and at the “Pratt House,” another Johnson family house at 100 High Street on Primrose Hill. The house photographed by Henry L. Rand in 1903 was the one at what is now 156 Church Street, but was formerly 76 Church Street. It is a graceful square two story frame house with clapboarded walls, a central front entrance and portico, four chimneys, a low hip roof and an octagonal tower. The house was built in 1801 by Thomas Whittier, complete with ballroom, and used as a tavern. It was called “the best public house in Maine.” Edward and Georgianna Parker (Miller) Johnson lived at 178 Marlborough Street in Boston from 1891 and spent their summers in Belfast, after 1901 retiring to the “Johnson Homestead” at 156 Church Street. The house in the photographs shown in this collection is just at the place where Church Street later became High Street and the address changed depending upon the year and the agency noting the address. See also: “Old Houses of Belfast” by Elizabeth M. Mosher, Belfast Free Library, p. 19, 57-60, 1983. “History of the City of Belfast in the State of Maine from its First Settlement in 1875 to 1900” by Joseph Williamson, published by Loring, Short and Harmon, 1877 and 1913. “History of the City of Belfast in the State of Maine from its First Settlement in 1770 to 1875” by Joseph Williamson, published by Loring, Short and Harmon, 1877. [show more]