Majestic Maine Mansion Hosts Community Day During Season's Last Hurrah

Bar Harbor Historical Society Welcomes Community, Honors Volunteers

Oct 28, 2024

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—This year, the Bar Harbor Historical Society welcomed thousands to learn about the history of Bar Harbor or participate in an event. That season ended with a bang during the society’s Community Day on Saturday, where the society welcomed over 200 people for a free event.

"It was fantastic to see so many people from the community at Free Community Day, and we're happy to be giving back to the community too," said Bar Harbor Historical Society Executive Director Erin Cough.

The last weekend, and second to last weekend, of October have lately been the last hurrah of the tourist season on Mount Desert Island.

Back in 1987, The Bangor Daily News reported that “fall-foliage forays” kept “inns open as late as” the October holiday weekend. It quotes then-state-legislator Jill Goldthwait as saying, “year-round residents, when summer comes, don’t have time for leisure. They’re locked in to making a living.”

For decades in the newspaper world, the weekend has marked a slew of stories discussing whether or not the tourism season was a success for businesses. In 1966, over 81,000 travelled via ferry from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth in 23,000 or so vehicles.

This year, the CAT ferry saw 2024 totals of almost 50,000 passengers and 20,000 vehicles. That’s an increase of approximately 12,000 passengers and 5,000 vehicles from 2023.

via the BDN, 1987, apologies for the highlighted texts

Fluctuations, how tourists come and how they go, the pulses and cultural artifacts of the island are all part of Mount Desert Island’s history. This year, the Bar Harbor Historical Society celebrated another year of sharing that history with the community, hosting its community days. Earlier in October, the nonprofit museum and mansion, also celebrated the plethora of volunteers who help it run.

Artists helped others create work. Tabletop bowling and other games waited. Over 200 people wandered in and out of rooms and the gift shop. Some just sat on the piazza and admired the view during the Community Day event.

At the volunteer appreciation and annual meeting volunteers were celebrated and treated. Volunteers sang and helped throughout the Community Day. Board President Richard Cough and board member Heidi Wittwer were also on hand measuring windows and greeting guests during the event.

"We love our volunteers! It's wonderful to have such a dedicated, passionate group," said Erin Cough

At the volunteer recognition, Experience Manager Nikki Moser spoke both about the museum’s collaborative work with other groups (such as the Bar Harbor Garden Club to create a faerie garden on the grounds, the First Coast Project founded by Galen Kock,) and art by Harrison Bird Brown on loan from the Hulls Cove Neighborhood Association and the Hudson to Harbor initiative where the organization hosted 25 artists, raising money for both the artists and the society.

"Our volunteers are so helpful, and are an integral part of our organization," said Assistant Director Laura Johnson.

The society also engaged in a partnership with the Land and Garden Preserve, bringing artists (of all levels) to the preserve’s sites. It also presented artists workshops on site and a series of theatrical readings by Carolyn Gage focusing on the secret lives of strong women. It also brought a roving historian to multiple events throughout the island.

"We had a fantastic season this year with over 10,000 visitors to La Rochelle, an increase over last year,” Cough said.