JORDAN POND An Island Tradition The following is excerpted from "The Passing of an Era" by Russell D. Butcher. Butcher compiled the history of the Jordan Pond House for the Bar Harbor Times' June 28, 1979, edition after the fire. The Jordan Pond House began in 1847 as down dwelling which served as an eating modest little farmhouse built by George N. place." and John Stanley Jordan of the nearby At about this time, Charles T. How, a village of Seal Harbor. They plantedasmall realtor from Boston and one of the first real apple orchard, and conducted a logging estate developers in Bar Harbor, bought the operation with a small sawmill and dam at farm, with the hope of entertaining the outlet of Jordan Pond. prospective land buyers. Fortunately for In 1884, Melvan Tibbetts and his family the future history of the place, his of Exeter, Me., bought the Jordan farm, and ambitions failed. that summer a small advertisement was In 1895, Thomas A. McIntire leased and placed in the "Mount Desert Herald" soon bought the farm. As a boy, he had run proclaiming that "a full line of first class away from his home on boats and canoes" could be found at the Prince Edward Island and pond, plus "good stabling and feed for had become a skilled JORDAN POND horses." carpenter and architect in In 1888, the Tibbetts began offering food Bath, Me. In 1896, Mr. and for visitors: "Chisholm's Mount Desert Mrs. McIntire opened a Guide" described the "lonely and tea house, which for many weatherbeaten little farmhouse" as a place subsequent years was but where "one or a score can get a good rural one of many such eating lunch for a small rural price, or a pitcher of places on the island. rich milk, or various cold and refreshing By the turn of the Luncheon Tea beverages or confectionery for the century, the house's repu- children tation for good food, Dinner By 1890, a small dining room had been friendly hospitality, and added to the farmhouse. The newspaper matchless setting amid advertised that lunches were served at all the panorama of moun- hours" and that fishing parties could be tains and pond had made the rustic accommodated overnight. An 1894 "Guide place "the place to go." The McIntires to Seal Harbor" mentioned "the tumble- (Continued on Page 12) Page 10 The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 $1 Million and 3 Years Later The Jordan Pond House Returns by Mary Ellen Matava equipment for the dormitory. The Jordan Pond House back. It took The corporation must also pay a more than $1 million and two and a half building use fee, for fire insurance and years of construction to recreate the for the maintanence of the restaurant. legendary teahouse which burned in a In designing the Jordan Pond House, fire in June, 1979. the architectural firm of Woo and "The Jordan Pond House was an Williams of Cambridge, Ma., tried to institution on the island, and was one of duplicate some of the spatial sequences the main attractions," said Dave of the old teahouse. "We tried to capture Woodside, general manager of the the emotional and spatial experiences of Acadia Corporation, concessionaire for the old building," said John Williams, the Pond House. "A lot of people missed one of the principals of the firm and a it, and gave money to have it rebuilt." native of Bar Harbor. "Going from a low Construction of the Jordan Pond dark place on the porch to a wide open House and gift shop d $1,056,000, and space on the tea lawn in view of the funds were donated by the Island Bubbles was an important aspect that Foundation, a non-profit organization. people remembered.' At first the foundation planned on Included in the new building that was raising about $250,000 to help the Park not part of the old Jordan Pond House is a Service finance the building of the Pond scenic overlook where one can view the House. Bubbles and all of Jordan Pond. "The When they found out the government Jordan Pond House is a gateway to trails wasn't going to pay for it, the Island in that area. A lot of people go hiking Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McIntire Foundation raised the full amount to then stop at the Pond House for tea, build the Jordan Pond House. "It's been noted Williams. National Park. "It had to live up to fire "We went out to the Jordan Pond continuous effort," Robert Patterson of The new Jordan Pond House has safety codes, etcetera, and had to House and they treated us so well. It has the Island Foundation said of the fund- granite fireplaces and a small, intimate conform to the environment because it is always been special to us, he said. raising which started in September private dining room as the old building in the park," Woodside said. Some of the staff has arrived already 1979. had. Its kitchen and dining room have The only major addition to the Jordan and has been practicing carrying trays The principal donor for the Jordan been improved for better movement Pond House menu is a fresh fish dinner. and putting them on tables. They will Pond House was Charles Woodward, a around the restaurant by the staff, and Tea and popovers and homemade ice have a mock tea and a mock dinner Philadelphia businessman and a the kitchen has new, modern equipment, cream will still be featured at the Pond before the restaurant opens. "By thetime summer resident of Northeast Harbor. Williams said. House and Woodside said the popovers we open they'll have almost two weeks Patterson said this donor gave about Nickerson and O'Day of Bangor were one-third of the total amount. contractors for the Jordan Pond House. The Acadia Corporation spent Project manager was Robert Chase and "It has always been $200,000 of its own money to outfit the Arthur Dority was superintendent. Jordan Pond House and the dormitory, Construction began in October 1980. special to us." also built with donated funds. They The plans for the Jordan Pond House purchased tables, chairs, china, and had to be accepted by the United States they have made with the new ovens have small kitchen equipment for the Department of the Interior because the of experience," Woodside said. "They'll turned out well. "We baked some for the be more trained than the staff at the restaurant, and beds and kitchen building will be donated to Acadia wives of the Shriners this past weekend average place.' and they came out fine," he said. Waitresses and waiters will be The Acadia Corp. has of the same wearing khaki skirts and pants with staff returning to the Jordan Pond House green polo shirts bearing the Jordan that worked in the old one. Mike Raynor Pond logo for lunch and tea. Long grey will be returning as the kitchen manager skirts and pants with white blouses and and Jim Brown is again the restaurant shirts will be worn at dinner manager. The former ice cream maker, Woodside said the Jordan Pond Ann Cummings, is now training the new House's clientele has long been summer ice cream maker. residents and park visitors. "We're Several waitresses are also returning. hoping the new building will draw more "We were very fortunate to get some of local people, Woodside said. "They're the same people back to help carry over not only welcome, we'd love to have the traditions," Woodside said. them. It is a unique place, and right in "It is an institution so special to people their backyard.' that they have geared their lives so He said sometimes people are they' here when it reopens, he added. reluctant to venture out into the park at He said customers are treated well at night to go out fordinner, and somethink the Jordan Pond House due to the young it is closed at night. "I love going over staff working there. He said that when there," he added. "You can sometimes he was in college and living in Bar eedeen and raccoons. Harbor for the summer, he and his was driving back I saw a baby fox." He girlfriend, who is now his wife, went out said the best route to the Jordan Pond to dinner for his birthday. They stopped House from Bar Harbor is to travel Rt. at a restaurant in townb decided not to 233 to the park entrance and take the The Pond House seen from Jordan Cliffs. eat there because they did not feel Loop Rd. to Jordan Pond. welcome. Wishing The Jordan PondHouse Joseph Tracy Woodworks a prosperous future Limited production and commissioned contemporary furniture of simple line. THE NISSEN BAKERIES Jordan Pond Best Wishes to Folding Screen Birch Bark and Oak The Jordan Pond House < Plant Stand Oak on their long-awaited reopening BANGOR WHOLESALE FOODS Industrial Park, Newport Route 102, Mount Desert, Maine 04660 (207)244-7360 The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982- Page 11 Local Corporation is Traditional Jordan Pond House Concessionaire Founded 50 years ago by some of the their gift shops with more handcrafted. Harbor: John Butler of Northeast Harbor corporation will go from here. same individuals who established Maine merchandise and locally-made and general manager David Woodside of Acadia National Park, the locally- goods rather than just imported plastic Bar Harbor. Other area residents are Woodside replied that there will be owned and based Acadia Corporation tourist souvenirs. also stockholders. slow sales growth in the park but that has continued a tradition of service to Today the Acadia Corporation is From offices above its shops at 85 plans now are for increasing the length visitors to Mount Desert Island for many owned by a small group of localfamilies, Main Street in Bar Harbor the Acadia of the season at the Jordan Pond House. years. Corporation now operates threeshops in Some ideas in the works include whose stated objective it is "to see the Now, with the contract to provide traditions of the Jordan Pond House Acadia National Park, three shops in Bar utilizing the dorm facilities as a winter service at the new Jordan Pond House carried on. Rockefeller's original stock Harbor (two at the Main Street address, ski touring center. "A lot depends on the firmly in hand, the company hopes to in the company was given to the Island and one in the newly remodeled Mayfair weather," said Woodside. continue that tradition of service into the Foundation, which was established for building), the Jordan Pond House Regardless of the weather. the Acadia future. the purpose of holding and maintaining restaurant, and a shop in the Maine Corp. has firmly established itself as the The Acadia Corporation was started the Azalea Gardens in Northeast Coast Mall in Ellsworth. The company traditional concessionaire in Acadia in 1932 by John David Rockefeller Jr., Harbor. The Island Foundation, which is did for a time operate a gift shop at the National Park. Although the contracts to George B. Dorr and others who felt that no longer a stockholder was the primary airport in Bangor. run the gift shops and the Jordan Pond there should be some kind of service fund-raising organization which provided on the summit of Cadillac The company employs three people House are put out to bid, many criteria spearheaded the effort to rebuild the a full-time year-round basis. Eight are used when the contract is awarded. Mountain, then known as Green Jordan Pond House. Mountain. The first structure built by The board of directors of the Acadia others work for 40 weeks out of the year, Former superintendent Keith Millersaid and during the peak summer season the that "continuity and quality of service the company was the "Summit Tavern' Corporation are all local residents. The company has a total of 120 employees on are just as important as having the best which was a combination snack bar, present members are: Farham Butler of the payroll. bid price." With the record of service restaurant, and gift shop. Early menus Northeast Harbor, chairman; Dwight shown in the past, the Acadia show that cake and doughnuts sold for Eaton of Bar Harbor, president; Sheldon With the prospects of further Corporation is likely to continue that 5c, a banana split for 30c, and a cold Goldthwait of Bar Harbor, treasurer; expansion in the national park quality and continuity in the future. bottle of beer was 20c. Chad Smith of Bar Harbor, clerk: Jack nonexistent, the Times asked general The company ran the tavern for eight Jordan and Ed Dunham both of Seal manager Woodside where the Acadia years until the outbreak of World War II. For six years during the war the company was out of business as the army used the Cadillac Mountain facility for a radio communications center. When the building was finally returned to the firm in 1946 it was in such decrepit shape that it had to be torn down. In its place, the National Park Service provided the ranger station on the summit for the company's use. The building is still in use today as a gift shop. Another unused ranger station at Thunder Hole was also turned over for commercial use at the same time. That year the Jordan Pond House was given to the park by John D. Rockefeller. who had purchased the facility several years earlier from the McIntires who had run the facility since 1896. The Acadia Corporation assumed management of the Pond House in 1946 and ran the facility until it burned down in June of 1979. Now having grown to three shops and a restaurant within the park the Acadia Corporation had become like part of the park itself. Part of the company's Tables awaiting tea and popovers once again grace the lawn at the rebuilt Jordan Pond House. Brechlin Photo philosophy has been to try and supply Congratulations R.L. White & Son General Contractors for the Jordan Pond Dormitory Moore M Ao Henjamun Finish Carpentry to the Jordan Pond House PAINTS BYRON H. SMITH & CO.. Inc. AND DIVISIONS Benjamin Moore BEST WISHES! Brewer Paint and Decorating PAINT SHOP 34 STATE STREET 54 PERRY ROAD, BANGOR, MAINE BREWER, MAINE TELEPHONE 942-5531 Hulls Cove 288-5566 989-4399 A Warm Welcome Back to CONGRATULATIONS Maine Shellfish Co., Inc. JORDAN POND The House of "One Hundred Seafood Products" Fresh or Frozen distribulors of BLUE SEAL Clams from your BRAND Oysters Scallops Lobsters Smoked Fish "Hometown Newspaper" America's Shrimp Smelts Halibut Finest Trout The Bar Harbor Times Haddock Clams Salmon Swordfish Mackerel PRINTSHOP & NEWSPAPER Crabmeat 66 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 SEA FOOD Sole PRODUCTS 207/288-3311 WATER STREET TELEPHONE ELLSWORTH, MAINE 04605 (207) 667-5336 Page 12 The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 history (Continued from Page 9) acknowledges that the McIntires had Congratulations raised some of their own food on the knack for interpreting the needs of the premises. Their corn and fresh peas summer colony. They knew it was the made mouths water! simplicity they liked. There was never from Another dining room was added in any fanfare or big show. 1912. And finally, in 1915. the music Mr. and Mrs. John C. Sweet managed room (the large birch bark dining room) the house from 1971-74, and Gerrie (Mrs. R.M. Flagg Co. was erected. Sweet) refers to the Jordan Pond House In those years before the automobile. as "very special, enchanting a place that Food Service Equipment many guests arrived at Jordan Pond would cast a spell over everyone 1212 State St., Bangor House by horse-drawn carriages, guests and employees alike.' Recalling surries, buck-alls, runabouts, cut- her memories, which date back to when 1-800-432-7814 unders, or buckboards - the largest of she was a toddler. Mrs. Sweet says that the latter being the great tallyho which the Jordan Pond House "became a really carried up to 14 passengers. Intheearlier livingentity when she and her husband years, buckboard parties were ceased being merely guests and took on particularly popular, and therearestilla the overall management. And she few islanders and summering people emphasized how important they felt it JORDAN POND House who nostalgically remember all-day was "to live up to the traditions. excursions to such places as Ocean A vital key to maintaining those on the shore of Jordan Pond Drive and Jordan Pond. traditions was the late Charles K. In 1910, broiled live lobster was added Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park Savage - longtime president of the to the menu. And that summer President Acadia Corporation (he was one of the William Howard- Taft (my distant founding directors). Until his death in maternal relative) came for dinner at January of 1979, this gentle, peaceful Jordan Pond House. He was but one of a man had brought to the Jordan Pond long list of distinguished people who House a unique sense of uncluttered enjoyed the house over the years. Others simplicity in design and color. As an included university presidents, artist and landscape designer his subtle industrialists, royalty, authors, artists, hand was seen in the perfect ministers, doctors, musicians, arrangements of pitch pine boughs on politicians, and people from many the mantels of the three massive stone foreign lands - such names as Andrew fireplaces, in his carved signs, and in his Carnegie, Joseph Pulitzer Jr., Edsel Ford. gracious greeting of all the dinner John Jacob Astor, the Archbishop of guests. As Mrs. Sweet says, "He knew Canterbury, Henry Van Dyke, Atwater the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy - Kent Jr., Henry Morgenthau, Walter his function was to welcome you, and his Lippmann, Sumner Wells, Henry Cabot evening appearance at the house was as Lodge Jr., Mary Roberts Rinehart, regular as clockwork.' Charles Lindberg, Commander Byrd, For new staff such as the Sweets and Edith Lippincott. the students, Mr. Savagewas 'the link to Of course the list included Samuel the past, he conveyed a sense of the place Eliot Morison, but also the Rev. George its continuity of tradition; he made it E. Street, Charlton Cooksey, George all come alive." Mr. Savage's wife, Stebbins, Dr. Augustus Thorndyke, Katharine, was an invaluable partner in Thomas Finletter, Harvard's president overseeing the aesthetic details. She Charles Eliot, John D. Rockefeller and made the beautiful flower arrangements his sons - notably David and the late for the dining tables - bringing many of vice-president Nelson Rockefeller. The the flowers, such as the magnificent Jordan Pond House guest register reads rhododendrons of early summer, from like a "who's who" directory. their own garden Cocelebrate the 1915 opening of George N. Demas, of Bar Harbor, is the "new music room" (the large birch another who should be mentioned, foras bark dining room), the Adamowski head of the restaurant operation and string trio provided a special concert. assistant to the manager, from 1968-76, Guests in subsequent years heard a he provided exceptional skill in training Dinner at the Jordan Pond House features candlelight dining, fresh multitude of internationally famous and leading the student staff. He glows musicians, among them the leading with admiration for the young people flowers, a beautiful view of the pond, crackling fires, and musical baritone, Francis Rogers, pianist Olga and their extra-ordinary devotion to the performances. Samaroff Stokowski (wife famous Jordan Pond House. A really good staff conductor Leopold Stokowski). meant that each nd every person was violinist Josef Fuchs, harpist Carlos out to help each and every other person OPENING JUNE 12TH Salzedo, and violinist and composer they would complement each other Fritz Kreisler. Louise Libby of Islesford, and anticipate needs." still recalls being told, as member, Mr. Demas fondly remembers the Luncheon Tea on the lawn Dinner to stay out of the dining room when Mr. feeling of a close-knit family - like a 12:00-2:30 2:30-5:30 6:30-9:30 Kreisler was composing. sorority or fraternity - a relationship In 1928, John D. Rockefeller Jr., (who that has lasted far beyond any particular Still featuring popovers and homemade ice cream. did so much over the years to expand summer. Friendships flourished, love Acadia National Park and to construct affairs would inevitably blossom. and at RESERVATIONS 276-3316 the unique system of gravel carriage least one marriage resulted from each roads) purchased Jordan Pond Housef year. addition to the park. Mr. McIntire Demas recalls that the ffinevitably continued as manager, and George felt a sense of personal "possessiveness DINNER MENU Cousins stayed on as popover cook a about Jordan Pond House - a feeling position he ultimately held for 30 years that was most intense in the stillness of APPETIZERS During the 1930s, many people the evenings after the guests were gone enjoyed early morning horseback rides, and the lights were turned out. It was Lobster Cocktail 4.50 followed by a big breakfast at the Jordan then the staff would wander quietly Crabmeat Cocktail Pond House. 2.95 about the grounds and enjoy the moon World War II greatly curtailed the and stars, or lean against a tree and talk Cheese and Crackers 3.95 operation. Only afternoon tea was or meditate. Sometimes the soft notes of Cup of Soup 1.50 served, except for an occasional special a guitar or flute would drift through the Lobster Stew Cup 3.95 dinner pary. Only one of the many night air. waitresses was kept on: Mrs. Warren Of the Jordan Pond House itself, Hyten, one of the McIntires Demas echoes the feelings of many when ENTREES granddaughters. he says, "It was not simplya building- On August 21, 1945, the McIntires had a soul of its own. I was in awe of the LOBSTER STEW bowl 9.95 finally retired - after 50 years of place and its traditions which we felt served with salad and popovers managing the Jordan Pond House. Eight could not be improved upon. It was LOBSTER SALAD 12.95 hundred invited guests and friendscar critical to keep the plastic world from to a huge tea to mark the historic encroaching. Jordan Pond House made served with popovers occasion the largest party ever held at an absolute snob out of me - the the house. genuineness of it was chararequality. The following dinners include: relish tray, a salad of fresh greens, baked The Acadia Corporation, which had The aura of the place," he says, "I don't potato served with sour cream and chives, buttered green peas, been formed in 1932 to operate all think could ever be replaced. However, popovers with strawberry preserves and butter. concessions in the park excepting the rather think the graciousness and Jordan Pond House, now assumed the genuiness of the whole operation is BAKED HALF CHICKEN 7.50 management of the house as well. Harold something that is recoverable; there are Hickey was chosen as the new manager. the people who could provide the BAKED SOLE 7.95 He had previously worked on the staff continuity and who would make the FRESH FISH OF THE DAY 7.95-10.95 from 1930-36 - first as a dishboy and commitment once again to integrity and then chef. This tall, gracious gentleman quality. SIRLOIN STEAK 12.50 and his wife managed the house from I concluded a briefer history of Jordan FILET MIGNON 12.50 late summer 1945 until 1960. Pond House (Down East Magazine, July Mr. Hickey admirably succeeded in 1970) by saying: HOT BOILED LOBSTER 1 1/4 lb 13.95 maintaining the gracious traditions and "Carriages and buckboards no longer BAKED STUFFED LOBSTER 15.95 high standards of service, quality, and bring guests to the door. The stables 1 1/4 lb. Lobster stuffed with crabmeat stuffing friendliness that the McIntires had have been taken down. All the other LOBSTER SAUTÉ achieved. He recalls that, "the only oldtime island tearooms The Tea Cup 14.95 change we made in the operation was to Inn. The Tea Garden, and the Blue add steak to the menu, (about 1950). He Shutter Tearoom - are long gone. But remembers that, "It was a close-knit the fresh peach ice cream at Jordan Pond A choice of cocktails, beers, and fine wines available to summer colony that more or less is still 'heaven-born:' the popovers area complement your meal. dictated the style and format of the big and delicious as ever: and achicken. Jordan Pond House,' and he lobster or steak dinner served in the The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 Page 13 With Our Compliments And Best Wishes Aqualand Rt. 3, Bar Harbor Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop 141 Cottage St. 288-3886 Bar Harbor Realty, Co. 67 Main St. 288-3571 Criterion Theatre Bar Harbor, 288-3441 Don's Shop 'n Save 86 Cottage St., Bar Harbor First National Bank 102 Main St. 288-3341 Haskell's Sporting Goods & Fashions 43 Cottage St. 288-4532 J.S. Humphreys "Quality Seafood" Seal Cove Road, SWH 244-7000 Images 116 Main St., BH 288-4341 The Knowles Co. Main St., NEH 276-3322 Tables Set For Jordan Pond Opening While it is a realitively simple task to Fred C. Lynam & Co. 200 seat restaurant. Although the replace the physical structures of Jordan utensils are unmarked, and the teapots 194 Main St., BH 288-3334 Pond, an attempt has also been made to and napkins solid green, all cups, bowls, restore the ambience and distinct aura plates, side dishes, and teabags bear the The Live Yankee that was the Jordan Pond House. One distinctive logo. Rounding out the table such effort went into the design and setting will be clear water goblets, and Main Street, SWH 244-3854 execution of custom-tailored china for wine glasses. the dining rooms and lawn. While not as expensive as the new Twin hills at the top of a circle of green Otter Creek White House china, at $11 for a teapot on a backround of pure white and and $8 per plate the new tableware did emblazoned with the words Jordan not come cheap. "This is not the most Fish Market Pond, form the center piece of a table expensive in the line," said Manager setting unique on Mount Desert Island. Woodside. "We wanted something nice, Route 3 288-4193 "This is something we've wanted to do but also durable and light weight," he for a long time," said Dave Woodside Special Welcome added. In all. the Acadia Corporation has general manager of the Acadia spent over $200,000 of its own funds to 99 whole haddock this week Corporation, operators of the rebuilt buy the china, tableware, tables and restaurant. Citing the dificulty of any minor kitchen equipment for the rebuilt restaurant changing to a new pattern in facility. Village Electronics any onegiven year, Woodside added that The "Shenango" china was Southwest Harbor 244-7227 the rebuilding of the Pond House was manufactured in New Castle, Pa., by golden opportunity for a change." Anchor Hocking. The silverplated In all, over 3,500 pieces of china, 2,500 tableware is an Oneida product. L.S. Robinson pieces of silver plated tableware, and Earl Brechlin Southwest Harbor 244-7426 500 teapots were purchased to grace the "Congratulations" history (Continued from Page 12) Ryan's Pizza rustic dining rooms in front of a Desert history - reaching back long crackling fire continues to be an elegant before the appearance of the automobile 131 Cottage St. 288-3222 treat in an atmosphere of the past.' age. Well, the old Jordan Pond House is "Congratulations & Good Luck" Russ Butcher, a former Seal Harbor now gone, But the greatest loss. resident, whose fond memories of Jordan beyond the rustic old rambling building Pond House extend back 30 years, is Strong Craft Gallery and delicious food, and those author of Field Guide to Acadia intangibles: the loss of a heritage - both National Park and Maine Paradise. Bar Hbr. Rd., Trenton 667-2595 cultural and aesthetic, the sudden end of Butcher is now traveling with his wife an era that spanned 132 years of Mt. Pamela on the West Coast. Swan Agency 43 Cottage Street 288-5818 "Welcome back to a legend" S.E. Rykoff 221 N. Beacon, Boston 1-800-225-4360 Town Farm Restaurant Kennebec Place, BH 288-5359 "Best Wishes" Willey's 134 Main St., BH 288-5060 Page 14 The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 Local Craftsman Creates Furniture for New Pond House "The first thought I had when I got traveled to Australia after high school Quarry to begin the construction six museum and Tracy offered some over the sense of loss after the Jordan for a series of odd jobs. His draft board years ago. suggestions and decided to bid on the Pond Housefire.' Joe Tracysays, "was to ordered him back to the States but lost That project kept Joe Tracy employed job. When Tracy won that contract he have some part in the reconstruction interest, so Tracy went to work in a for two years. "Now I have an MFAA," made a break from the keyboards and effort." Naval weapons lab perfecting high- Tracy announces. That, he explains is a went into full-time production for the The soft-spoken Mount Desert speed sailboats. "Masters in Fine Arts, Almost.' "After Gilley Museum. He built all the craftsman was just completing the final Tracy had no interest in college, but completed the building never wrote the showcases there, even the benches, table pieces of furniture for the new Jordan found the fully-equipped shop at the thesis. I just didn't feel like it was and the outside showcase, everything Pond House. When diners opt to eat weapons laboratory enticing. He began productive work.' but the folding chairs. inside the new facility, they will be building furniture in his spare time. Tracy made some pieces of furniture By that time it was evident that the served at one of 50 oak tables built by Joe Friends likedit and encouraged to do for the Directions Craft Fair held at the Island Foundation's efforts to build a Tracy. more. Then he heard about the School for new Jordan Pond House were well Tracy is proud of his contribution to American Craftsmen at the Rochester underway and Tracy wanted to be a part the new Jordan Pond House. He built Institute of Technology. Tracy studied of it. He went to the Acadia Corporation, almost all of the hardwood, mobile there six years including a year in concessionaires of the park facility, to pieces of furniture in the complex except Scandanavia. At RIThemet and married see what they had in mind for tables. for the chairs. Lucy Smith who was studying weaving. They were open to suggestion so he built "It is the first time I have ever seen so To complete his master's degree in a prototype table for their inspection. "It much of my work in oneplace. hard woodworking and furniture design, is kind of a fun idea," Tracy says of the tear myself away," he admits. Tracy decided to design and build a challenge to fit the furniture to the new Mid-Western Transplant house. His in-laws had been vacationing building design. "What I do is such a An'interesting series of events led the on Mt. Desert Island for many years and simple line it goes well with anything." wanted to build a house here for mid-westerner to Mount Desert Island Tracy took his table over to the Acadia and the eventual production of the retirement. Tracy's thesis project fit the Corporation offices on Main Street in Jordan Pond House furniture. Tracy bill so Joe and Lucy moved to Somes Bar Harbor and set it up for inspection. Sound between Somesville and Hall "Too lightweight, too fine," were the words of rejection. Tracy's first effort was a table designed on a residential scale, not one to withstand heavy commercial use. The craftsman was bothered but took the heartfelt The sideboards built by Tracy criticisms back to the shop for another have the Bubbles carved of darker try. wood. Pennypacker Photo His second prototype was successful and he won the contract to build 50 oak local high school. Then he began selling tables. Joe Tracy's bid for the Jordan individual pieces of work through Buck Pond Housetab was competitive Redfield's Gallery in Northeast Harbor. the furniture industry for a high quality For bread and butter work he built product. He neglected to mention that he keyboards for Bill Dowling's had never built more than one table at a harpsicord-making concern in time before. Small shop production Southwest Harbor. He got various other could not beat the industry for chairs jobs by word of mouth including though, those are factory manufactured building a window for the Turrets at items. College of the Atlantic. Through that job he got to know architect Roc Caivano, a Now that Tracy had won the Acadia former COA teacher who was designing Corporation's confidence for the tables the Gilley Museum in Southwest and sideboards, they asked him to Harbor. design a display case for the giftshop. The prototype was approved and he Winning Bids built 20 of those. He also designed and Tracy watches the mortice cut on the horizontal boring machine Caivano consulted Tracy on the built the oak and birchbark room through a mirror. He made the same cut on 200 table legs. Pennypacker Photo designs of some of the showcases for the screens. Congratulations SNUGLI BEST OF LUCK J.P.H. To a great operation The ideal way to carry your wee one over to Martell Guay Jordan Pond. Available in corduroy, denim Fire and Safety Equipment and seersucker and now the new Snufli rain Elm St. Bradley 827-2078 cape. QUALITY SEAFOOD Animal Crackers Shumphreys A Children's Boutique Northeast Harbor, Maine 244-5507 Clark Point Road Down-East Craft, Inc. Mon.-Sat. 10-4 Southwest Harbor Yarmouth, Maine Welcome Back! Congratulations GOOD LUCK! and Best Wishes We are honored to be associated with you. ma CLarkinc KFC NURSERY-LANDSCAPE DIVISION Food Service 52 Park Street Ellsworth 667-9331 Corporation Dalton Road, Augusta The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 Page 15 A Year's Work each board. smoothed it and cut it tosize. "I have been busy on the Jordan Pond As glued the edges he needed a way to House for a year, Tracy recounted last register the surface for the flattest week. Hewas just finishing thelast piece possible fit. Pipe clamps would hold the in his shop, an oak sideboard. "This was table tops for tight edge fittings but not not in the contract but puttingi in on as flat as possible. Tracy devised a loan because I think it will look nice," he solution by mounting a hydraulic jack said. Tracy feels it is needed bet tween the into the ceiling which put pressure on a foyer and the diningare Heenvisions it board to flatten all the pieces while the with a display of pine boughs on top. pipe clamps applied the side to side "The joy for me is in the whole pressure. process," he allowed. "I liked designing Now that the project is over, Tracy is it and then making the whole process (of back to doing what he likes to do best: building) efficient. making individual pieces for individual The tabletops are varnished whiteoak people. "I delight in limited production with lacquered red oak legs. There are work for individuals.' The words were three coats of finish on each part. The made genuine by the smile on his face. wood was all kiln-dried and stored Besides the furniture, he and his wife indoors, supplied by a Newburyport, are trying to make their home over his Ma., firm who provides wood for several shop more liveable for a family which area boatbuilders. now includes three-year-old twin sons. The tables are evidence of Tracy's But as he put it, "Spare time is the careful selection of the boards to match figment of the working person's the grain on the table tops. He planed imagination." Mercy Johnson Tracy carefully selects the oak boards for tabletops. Pennypacker Photo RPAHC MORIN Best Wishes ALNEO CANDY from Metropolitan Insurance Co.'s U D A M COMPANY Don Henckler 26 Pleasant St., Bangor M T MDI Representative P Tel. 947-8621 B A We would like to take this I N N opportunity to extend our best wishes for a warm and prosperous N G Y future. Johnston Gardens Hulls Cove 288-3245 G High Street Ellsworth 667-5536 To Your Growth Distributors of Candy, Tobacco It was a pleasure and Sundries to serve you. 1-800-432-1765 LANDSCAPING ALL THE BEST HERE'S TO A GREAT FUTURE. from Ellsworth Builders Supply, Inc. Seacroft Office Products 34 Water St., Ellsworth Ellsworth, State St. 667-7134 Telephone 667-9696 = Cherryfield, Rte. 1 546-7384 422-3150 Bucksport, Rte. 1 469-2078 S 667-2048 Blue Hill, Main St. 374-2814 "Your Complete Office Products Store." Page 16 The Bar Harbor Times Sec. I, Thursday, June 10, 1982 Coke is it! Trade-mark R From One Tradition To Another SECURITY GENERAL BAR HARBOR NICKERSON O'DAY, INC. SECURITY BANKING & TRUST THE OF AMERICA BIHB member A FULL We are pleased to have served as general contractors on the re- FDIC SERVICE BANK construction of The Jordan Pond House Bar Harbor Blue Hill Deer Isle Ellsworth . Lubec Milbridge Northeast Harbor . Southwest Harbor Brewer, Maine 207-989-7400 WELCOME BACK CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST OF LUCK In The Coming Years Harold MacQuinn, Inc. General Contractor Bar Harbor 288-5022