Tarbell Ardra 905-2000 The Bar Harbor Times Page A2 EDAPO Ardra E. Tarbell, 94, Acadia's first secretary Although she was unsure about an extension of her temporary Dorr's outdoors. But she did have by Nan Lincoln being so far from home she position until the park finally a vivid memory of being in the Ardra Ellen Tarbell, the first applied for the job and a few suggested he apply for a second car to drive up Cadillac secretary for Acadia National Park, weeks later was invited by Acadia permanent secretary. She Mountain when the summit road died at age 94, Jan. 14, 2000 at National Park co-founder George continued to be indispensable to a opened in 1931. Mount Desert Island Hospital. B. Dorr to come to Bar Harbor. succession of park superintendents Although Mr. Dorr was not the She was born April 28, 1905, in She arrived on her 25th birthday for the next 40 years. sort of man who cultivated Oakfield, the daughter of Alton C. and, as she liked to say, "never Miss Tarbell recalled her early personal friendships, after his and Lucy L. (Thompson) Tarbell. left." working conditions as being retirement, and after he lost his A quiet, industrious girl, young "Ardra said she really wasn't at somewhat rustic, since her boss sight, Miss Tarbell would often Ardra graduated as valedictorian all sure if it was going to work out refused to have screens on the accompany her friend, Grace from Merrill High School, and for her until she sat in her office at windows of the park offices, Oakes, to Mr. Dorr's home, where then from Houlton Business the corner of Park Street and Main claiming that he wanted to bring in Miss Oakes would read to him and School. and saw the view of Cadillac the outdoors when he opened Miss Tarbell would bring him the She was working in her uncle Mountain from her window," says Ardra E. Tarbell them. Either times have changed news of his beloved park Pearly Tarbell's general store in her friend Debby Dyer. "After that, or Miss Tarbell's work kept her As the park grew in size and in Smyrna Mills when she learned she said she knew she had come to Lafayette National Park from the very preoccupied because she the amount of visitors it attracted, about a temporary secretarial the right place." official stationary - Miss Tarbell always claimed to have no so too did Miss Tarbell's position opening at the newly In those early years - when became so indispensable to Mr. memory of any blackflies or responsibilities. By the time she named Acadia National Park. she was still crossing off the name Dorr that he repeatedly asked for mosquitoes coming in with Mr. see TARBELL page A8 note: flee Frances ha Course file 2 TARBELL from page A2 retired in 1970 she had been made administrative assistant in charge of a number of employees, and had made several trips to Washington, D.C., to help with official park contracts. After her retirement the National Park Service honored her by naming one of its tour boats the Ardra T. Miss Tarbell was an active and highly valued member of the Bar Harbor community at large and of the congregation of St. Saviour's Episcopal Church, where she served on the Altar Guild and the Seabury Club. Her hand-sewn aprons and whimsical stuffed Ardra Tarbell (second from left), the first secretary of the then new Acadia animals were always popular items National Park, is pictured here in 1938 at Park Headquarters, at the corner of at the annual church fairs. She was Park and Main streets in Bar Harbor, with other park staff, including founder also a member of the Bar Harbor and first superintendent George B. Dorr (third from right). Historical Society. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY Although Miss Tarbell had learned to drive when she was a Miss Tarbell was always invited while she was recuperating from a young woman, she never bothered to park gatherings and continued to bout of pneumonia, she was to update her driver's license after make new friends in the service looking forward to resuming her coming to Bar Harbor, preferring to long after her retirement. walks and once again enjoying the walk to work and to her personal "The park service is like a big, view of Cadillac from the corner of errands around town. This habit of close family," says former Park and Main. walking a good two miles a day superintendent Keith Miller. She was predeceased by her persisted throughout her life. In "Although I arrived after Ardra's brother, Hadley Tarbell; her sister, fact, Miss Tarbell's trim little tenure, I met her as a venerable and Beatrice Adams; and a nephew, Pendleton-suited figure was as much-valued member of that family." Newell Adams. much of a local landmark as the Miss Tarbell was also close to She is survived by her niece, village green clock when she made her own family, and although she Frances LaCourse of Hollis; six her rounds about town with her never married she was a devoted grandnieces and grandnephews. A walking stick in hand. Even after aunt to her nieces and nephews. celebration of her life was held Jan. her retirement, her daily rounds She was especially close to her 19 at St. Saviour's Episcopal included a walk up Spring Street, sister Beatrice, who came to live Church. Private family interment across Waldron to Ledgelawn with her for 26 years after her will be held in the spring at Avenue, to Park and over to Main husband died. Oakfield Cemetery, Oakfield. Street, where her old office once Miss Tarbell maintained her Friends who wish may donate in stood and her favorite view of active, involved and independent her memory to the stained glass Cadillac Mountain could still be lifestyle up until her final days. window restoration fund at St. found. When her heart gave out last Friday Saviour's. To Ardra E. Tarbell in recognition of invaluable service rendered to Acadia National Park throughout the past twelve years under circumstances requiring devotion and high courage Oldfarm, November 20th 1942. George The Author OF UNIVERSITY THE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON March 3. 1849 CITATION FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE ARDRA E. TARBELL in recognition of outstanding service as administrative assistant and later, administrative officer of Acadia National Park. Miss Tarbell began her Federal service as a clerk at Acadia National Park on April 28, 1930 after being personally recruited by George B. Dorr, Acadia's founder and first Superintendent. In succeeding years she has served with every park Superintendent through several promotions to her present position as Administrative Officer. During her nearly 40 years as a key park staff member, Miss Tarbell has exemplified the finest qualities of competence, responsiveness to change, and personal initiative. Her performance in the field of administrative management alone has been of superior quality, but her ability beyond the routine is the true mark of excellence. In the early days of Acadia's expansion, Miss Tarbell played a primary role in the orderly maintenance of massive land data records, title abstracts, deeds, and maps--extremely complex references constantly in demand by private attorneys, other park staff members, Regional and Washington Office personnel. The now famed Bar Harbor Fire of 1947 and establishment of the Acadia Job Corps Center in 1965 are other examples of demands that required swift, accurate and uncommon administrative support. The measure of Miss Tarbell's constant commitment to quality and responsiveness in these and other responsibilities can be held as an outstanding example to managers everywhere. In recognition of her unexcelled contributions to Acadia National Park, Miss Tarbell is granted the Meritorious Service Award of the Department of the Interior. Secretary of the Interior DEPARTMENT OF THE United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Harpers Ferry Center HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA 25425 IN REPLY REFER TO: H14(1100-RS-LA) February 13, 1984 Ms. Ardra E. Tarbell 7 Roberts Square Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 Dear Ms. Tarbell: Enclosed is a copy for your files of the final transcript of the taped interview conducted by Herb Evison with you on October 21, 1971. Would you please sign and return to us the enclosed release form. If it requires any explanation, let us know. Thank you for your cooperation in this project. that Math Sincerely, David Nathanson Chief, Branch of Library and Archival Services Enclosures GEORGE BUCKNAM DORR, 90, Superintendent of Acadia National Park, August 5, 1944 Establishment of Sieur de Monts National Monument in 1916 (which area sub- sequently became the Acadia National Park) was brought about through the efforts of Mr. Dorr and some of the other summer residents of Mount Desert Island who felt that a portion of the Island should be set aside for the enjoyment of the public. Mr. Dorr was appointed Superintendent of the area when it became a unit of the National Park System in 1916 and had served in that capacity continuously ever since. For some months he had been in failing health, but there was no sudden decline, and Assistant Superintendent Hadley of that park reports that: "He maintained his usual tranquil spirit and never did he utter a word of complaint about his loss of sight and gradually diminishing physical strength. On the contrary, he seemed to derive a great deal of comfort through mental review of the past, his early associations, his work in creating the park, and his many allied interests. Whenever he spoke of the approaching end it was with the knowl- edge and satisfaction of having lived a full and useful life. 39 Frances Source ? Mr LaCourse believes et was writte b, Us Grace Q akes