Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature

Guy Lowell designed the Building of Arts in Bar Harbor. Some of the financial support for the building came from Mrs. Henry Dimock, Mrs. Robert Abbe, Henry Lane Eno, George Dorr and George Vanderbilt. It was dedicated on July 13, 1907 with a concert that featured Emma Eames.

The Boston Symphony performed there as did several other notables of the time.

The Building of Arts stood off the Cromwell Harbor Road near the corner of Kebo Street. It burned in the Fire of 1947.

Play at the Casino in Bar Harbor in 1920.
Seated: Harold Whitmore, Pauline Collins Gay, Don Dyer, Clarice Getchell, Eliza Leland Waterman, Erma Stafford Shaw and Norman Shaw.
Standing: Pauline Kirk, Marjorie Burton Peterson, Hildreth MacQuinn, Phoebe MacQuinn, John Ash, Patricia Blanchfield, Marguerite MacQuinn, Dot Leland Doyle, Billie Burke, Ruth Stafford and Esther West.

A program from a concert held at the Building of Arts on August 25, 1928 in Bar Harbor. Weyland Echols and Carolyn Kaempffert were performing.

A hand-bound book created by Mrs. Christian Hemmick depicting a greek-style scene in which the Enchantress of the Streams seeks to lure and win the affections of Pan. Pan however is in love with Syrinx, a nymph of Diana. This story would have served as a base in which a scene could be choreographed and acted out.

Greek Festival held at the Building of Arts in Bar Harbor in 1920.

A program from a concert held at Building of the Arts on July 13, 1907 featuring singers Emma Eames and Emelio de Gogorza.

The interior for a program with various pieces performed by American soprano Emma Eames, and baritone singer Emelio de Gogorza. The two performed together at the Building of the Arts in Bar Harbor in the summer of 1907.

A group of performers in costume outside the Building of the Arts in Bar Harbor in August 1919. The Building of the Arts was an open center for concerts, plays, festivals, and other performing arts in the early 1900's through the 30's with its peak season in the summer.