Spring 2008
click here for older issuesTraditions and Records:
Norwood Cove, Southwest Harbor, Greening Island, Manset, Seawall
Published by the Southwest Harbor Historical Society
POB 272, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
(207) 244-9264
Southwest Harbor Historical Society
Chris Rawls, President
Phil Whitney, Vice President
Rebecca Carlson, Secretary
Wayne Patton, Treasurer
Board of Directors
Bruce Komusin
Larry Howard
Sharon Howard
Janet Patton
Ralph Stanley
Can You Identify?
This photo was sent to us by Harold Beal. We have the names of most of the men but need help with the others.
Left to Right
Front Row: ???, Fred Berry, Cecil Door, Shirley Phippen, Alton Urquhart, Dr. Philip F.M. Gilley, R.P. Brockmarkle, Jessie M. Mills and Earl Gordon.
2nd Row: Les Greenlaw, Harold "Chick" Miller, Ben Hamblen, Bill Johnson, Paul Robinson and Bob Hamblen.
3rd. Row: Almond Urquhart, Lester Kelley, ?? "Beans" Harris, Ernie Miller, Nahum Kelley, Natalie Mayo and Win Lord.
4th Row: Raymond Reed, Crosby Mills, Maurice Robinson, Harold Beal, Donald Berry, Arthur Reed, ???, Frank Gilley, Leslie Thurston and ???.
Looking Back
From the Bar Harbor Times archive at the Jessup Library in Bar Harbor
January 30, 1935
"The fishing boats go in and out of the harbor when weather is suitable, boats from a wide area bring flounders to the sardine factory wharf for shipment to New York markets, the clam diggers take the product of the flats to the factory at McKinley for canning or for making clam chowder for which this factory is famous. The men of the village have found time and opportunity to manufacture a years wood for several families where illness has prevailed, and the Welfare project of building a parking place at Seawall is going on, though hampered by cold and snow. Discussion of the annual town meeting is beginning when citizens meet... The moving pictures draw an audience twice a week and the members of the Eastern Star are rehearsing for a play to be given soon. Altogether, in spite of the depression, there are few dull minutes in Southwest Harbor in winter."
(collected by: Janet and Wayne Patton)
From the Archive Collections Committee:
The historical society is settling into its temporary home at the new Chamber of Commerce office at 20 Village Green Way. We will have space for display and storage.
If you have something that would help preserve the history of Southwest Harbor and can part with it, please let the Historical Society know:
Mail: P.O. Box 272 Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Telephone: (207) 244-9264
E-Mail: swhhistory@yahoo.com
Rebecca Carlson
Recent Activities
The winter months have allowed our members to slow down the pace somewhat, and take time to assess where we have been and where we are going in the coming year. Some administrative matters were handled, including the establishment of a safety deposit box and the hiring of a professional accounting firm to assist with establishing our status as a non-profit 501 c3 organization. Also workshops were held on preparing our photo history books. When completed, there will be several photo books for sale covering a variety of Southwest Harbor historical categories. We also revived our Personal Interview series. The first interview was conducted with Henry and Drucilla Ward at their home in Southwest Harbor (sadly, shortly after this interview Henry passed away). Many great memories were shared and recorded on video. On March 18th, a repeat program of Historical Photos of Manset and Seawall was presented at the American Legion Hall.
Long Range Projects
Your Historical Society staff have been exceptionally busy the winter thinking deep thoughts and developing big ideas for long range projects. Most of these are larger projects which may evolve over time. Successful completion will depend on available resources such as money, time and volunteers. However, the following provide you with a sampling of what bubbled to the surface during our business meeting brainstorming:
School Historical Programs
Time Capsule
Boston Post Cane
SWH Historical Society Website (In Progress)
Fund Raising campaign
Establishing Archive Cataloging Guidelines
Self Guided Historical Tours
E Bay Historical Items Searches
Cemeteries
Chamber of Commerce Displays
Search for a home for the Historical Society
Phil Whitney
Vice President
Last Issue's 'Where and When?'
This is looking up Dirigo Road from the Clark Point Road
Where and When?
The answer will be in the next issue of The Voyager
Upcoming Events:
The Summer Program Series has been tentatively established. We emphasize "tentatively" as changes are always possible due to presenters being unavailable on dates scheduled. The follow topics are anticipated:
May - World War II-SWH
June - Carroll Diaries-Ralph Stanley
July - Fernald Point/Jesuit Colony
August - Bootlegging-Ralph Stanley
September - Fish Canneries
October - Hinckley Boat Company
Dates, times and locations will be publicized for each event as routinely done in the weeks prior to each event. We look forward to seeing you again for another great season of Southwest Harbor memories.
An additional proposed event has been kindly offered by members John and Becky Burnham. They have offered to provide a guided tour of their historical home, located on the Seawall Road in Seawall. Their residence is possibly the oldest still in existence in the area. Further details will be proviaed as planning progresses.
Phil Whitney
Donations
We are most grateful to the following for donations:
Yard Stick from Robinson Hardware - Donated by John Clark
Yardstick from Robinson Insurance - Donated by John Clark
Photos of the original Gleaners Hall and the library that burned in 1937 - Donated by Ed & Beth Reed
Thank you for your support!
We are saddened by the loss of several members of our community
In Memorium:
Norma Stanley, 2/17/08
Beth Lyons, 2/11/08
Henry Ward, 3/20/08
Toby Strong, 4/10/08
Terry Tracey, 4/12/08
Amy Terry Carter, 4/23/08
Charlie Kramp, 4/26/08
Diane Ballard Michael, 4/9/08
Mertle "Mert" White, 5/3/08
A reminder
This is the time to remind everyone that the membership dues for 2008 are due in January.
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments about the newsletter please let us know at swhhistory@yahoo.com