Spring 2007 (Volume Two, Issue Two)
this is the oldest issue available onlineTraditions and Records:
Norwood Cove, Southwest Harbor, Greening Island, Manset, Seawall
Published by the Southwest Harbor Historical Society
POB 272, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Chris Rawls, President
Phil Whitney, Vice President
Rebecca Carlson, Secretary
Maurice Joseph Marshall, Treasurer
Looking Back
(Items of Interest in the Local Newspapers of Years Past)
An article in the Bar Harbor Times on April 11, 1934:
"Eastern Steamship Lines to Discontinue Island Boat Friday"
"The Westport to make its Final Schedule Run to Mount Desert Island Friday. Island to Receive Future Service via Bucksport.
Friday will mark the passing of the Eastern Steamship Lines steamer service to Mount Desert Island as the Westport makes its final scheduled trip from Rockland and return. Commencing next Tuesday all freight for Mount Desert Island will be handled through Bucksport, being brought over the road by trucking companies. Commencing May first, passengers for Mt Desert Island will dis-embark from the Boston-Bangor steamships at Bucksport and be brought over the road in motor coaches. Saturday the Westport will make it final run on the Eggemoggin Reach route to Brooklin and after that date Blue Hill and Brooklin will be served through Bucksport. Thus for the first time in nearly a century Mt Desert Island will be without steamship service."
(transcribed by Janet Patton)
We gratefully acknowledge donations from the following members
- Melvin Dana Phillips
- Eric Henry
- Susan B. Lamb in memory of Mr. & Mrs. James G. Lamb
- Thirza Wass
- Nancy & Joe Hayes in memory of Marilyn Dolliver
- Betty R. King in memory of S. Leslie King
Your membership is very important to us. Additionally, donations over and above membership help the Southwest Harbor Historical Society record, store, and present historic photos and artifacts of Southwest Harbor history. Thank you for considering an additional gift to the Society.
Recent Activities
The Historical Society continued holding workshops and program presentations during the late Winter - early Spring. A workshop to add & clarify historical information concerning Manset & Seawall was held April 16th. Many old photos were shown and work conducted to further identify the people & places shown, as well as enhance anecdotal information on each. The finished product will be presented in the Summer Program Series during June. On May 15th, the Summer Season Program Series was officially inagurated at the American Legion Hall. Jennifer Litteral of the Island Institute in Rockland gave a power point presentation on the History of Fisheries in the MDI Region, which included discussions on the role of the Island Institute in working with fishermen and coastal communities to revive the fishing industry and preserve the working waterfronts for commercial fisheries usage.
The Chamber of Commerce has been most gracious in offering our Historical Society space for meetings, archival storage and small displays until a permanent home can be found. Members have worked hard to purchase & install shelving to house our ever-growing numbers of documents & artifacts. A small display area is being established near the front window of the C of C. Janet & Wayne Patton have continued their dedicated efforts to expand & document their huge collection of old photos for future presentations. Finally, the Historical Society has been blessed with the gift of a new, expensive camcorder to enable us to record interviews and program presentations. The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, have expressed a keen interest in the preservation of the history of Southwest Harbor and the surrounding area. We are extremely grateful for their wonderful support.
Phil Whitney
Vice-President
From the Archive Collections Committee
We are most grateful to the following for donations.
Nancy M. Reed brought in two paintings of Greening's Island and the house. She also brought a history of the island's owners and other photographs and memorabilia. Her dad, Ralph Reed, worked there for many years.
Polly Norwood brought us a World War I uniform belonging to Wade Hancock.
We are happy to add these items to our growing collection.
Becky Carlson
Last issue's WHERE & WHEN?
Main Street, Southwest Harbor, looking toward what is now the Village Green Veteran's Park and First National Bank, in the aftermath of the March 1922 fire that destroyed the Holmes Hotel, Holmes Store, a private residence, and the original 1897 Odd Fellows building that stood on the site of the current Dry Dock Inn and Café.
Contact Us
The Southwest Harbor Historical Society
PO Box 272
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
(207) 244-9264 (SWH-Tremont Chamber of Commerce)
Upcoming Events
We are rapidly moving into the Summer Season of Program Activities sponsored by the Southwest Harbor Historical Society. It promises to be an entertaining season of informative and entertaining lectures, old photo presentations, exhibits, walking tours and possibly an historically-oriented boat cruise. Some programs are still in discussion or planning stages, and are always subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. The following schedule is projected:
| Date & Time | Place | Subject |
| Tues, June 19, 7 pm |
SWH American Legion Hall | Manset/Seawall - Old Views & Reminiscences |
| Tues, July 17, 7 pm |
Claremont Hotel (Clark Room) |
The Summer Rusticators |
| Tues, Aug 21, 7 pm |
Claremont Hotel (Clark Room) |
Greening Island |
| Tues, Sept 18, 7 pm |
SWH American Legion Hall | The Steamboat Era |
| Tues, Oct 16, 7 pm |
SWH American Legion Hall | The Great Fire of 1947 - SWH Perspective |
We also hope to continue the "Walking Tours of SWH" series this Summer. Please watch for schedules for these tours (usually held on Sundays) which should be posted in the near future. We will also advise you soonest of any additional programs or tours which may develop.
Phil Whitney
Vice-President
WHERE & WHEN?
Answer in next issue