Bar Harbor Historical Society facts for kids
The Bar Harbor Historical Society is a special group that helps keep the history of Bar Harbor, Maine and Mount Desert Island alive! Think of them as storytellers who collect and share old items, photos, and facts about the area. Their museum is now in a beautiful old house called La Rochelle, located at 127 West Street in Bar Harbor. They moved there in early 2019 from their previous home at 33 Ledgelawn Avenue.
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Discovering the History of Bar Harbor Historical Society
The Bar Harbor Historical Society started a long time ago, on August 19, 1946. When it first began, the society had a very small space. They used a little room right under the stairs at the Jesup Library. It was a humble beginning for such an important group!
Finding a New Home
As the years went by, the society collected more and more historical items. They needed a bigger place to keep everything safe and to show it to visitors. So, in 1997, the Bar Harbor Historical Society bought its very own building. This new home was at 33 Ledgelawn Avenue, which used to be a convent called St. Edward’s Convent. This allowed them to store their growing collection. They could also open a museum on the first floor during certain times of the year.
Moving to La Rochelle
In 2019, the society found an even grander home! They bought a huge, beautiful house called La Rochelle. This mansion has 41 rooms and is about 13,000 square feet. It was built in 1902 on Bar Harbor's historic West Street. In the same year, the Historical Society successfully moved all their old documents, photos, and collections into their amazing new building.
All About La Rochelle Mansion
The stunning La Rochelle mansion was built in 1902. It was designed for a person named George Bowdoin (1833–1913). The architects who created this grand house were Andrews and Rantoul from Boston. Before the historical society moved in, other families and groups lived in the mansion. These included Ruth and Tristram Colket, and also the Maine Seacoast Mission. Now, it's a wonderful place for everyone to learn about Bar Harbor's past!
Images for kids
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The eastern side of La Rochelle mansion.
