Mount Desert Island History 1916-1947

Instructor: Jack Russell

Location: Northeast Harbor Library, Mellon Room, 1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor

Course Meets: Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Course Size: 8-30 students

Starts: April 12, 2012

Ends: May 17, 2012

Description:

The course will explore the development of MDI and adjacent islands from the establishment of Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916 to the Great Fire of 1947. It will address the evolution of Acadia National Park, the devolution of the MDI summer colonies, the development of scientific organizations on MDI, island life in the 1920s, MDI and ANP in the New Deal era, the construction of Mr. Rockefeller’s roads, island towns and people during WWII, the Great Fire of October, 1947, and our recovery from the ashes.

Instructor: Jack Russell was born and educated on Mount Desert Island. A degreed social and literary historian, he taught college long ago. Jack serves on the board of Friends of Acadia and supports the Mount Desert Island Historical Society, Friends of Island History, and the Abbe Museum. He is at work on a book of essays on the twined histories of MDI and ANP.