n The History Trust and Historians. Thetistory Trust March 4, 2021. https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust We are asking for your help to bridge the gap for 2021. I Support Our Work The History TRUST Collaborate. Preserve. Share. Sharing The History Trust and Historians 2021 History Trust ~ Sharing ~ The History Trust and Historians probleshed 3/4/2021 https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 1/9 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust During three decades of vacation visits to MDI, my wife and I heard many accepted origin stories about the forces that brought Acadia National Park into being. Unfortunately, the evidence proved to be incomplete and conflicted. As this new century was born, I began my own historical research that took me from our National Archives in Washington, to a family country estate archive in Yorkshire England, to the public archive at Acadia National Park headquarters-and hundreds of other repositories. Of the myriad of holdings consulted, many hinted that local collections offered further evidence that might resolve troublesome historical issues or provide new directions of inquiry. Two Discoveries https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 2/9 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust 1941 Blue Book Directory Editors BELLE 165 BUTLER ULHANOR K. COFFIN 3/9 https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust For example, in trying to amass a complete paper trail of the families and neighbors who resided near the Bar Harbor Oldfarm residence of park superintendent George Dorr, I was unable to locate on Mount Desert Island the Bar Harbor Blue Book for the early 1940s. I suspect that copies were then unprocessed for I am now able to retrieve a copy from the History Trust Digital Archive. IMAGE: Butler, Belle F. and Coffin, Eleanor K., "Bar Harbor Blue Book Directory, 1941," Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association, ...view item https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 4/9 See Work NPS first Calmens (NPS) Congressman Nelson (Man) Sen Popper Penn summer. MDI. (35 yrs) resident Sept Geo. B Dorr. (Supt. of Lafayette Natilkk) Sen Hale statements Greats Congrann White by : Geoh. Stebbins, Treas Director of Thusters of Resv. Public statement by Harold Peabody of Botton in opposition to roadbuilding. (al. chrman of Paths { Roods Comm IHV.A. of Mr. Roht Steeling Yard of Nat'/ Parks Assoc, mi dinedn Cromwell of N.Y NEHOR Pres of vision NEH Mr. Jos Allen of N.Y.C. and Seal Hbr. Mrs Malcolm Pembedy of Boston Federal Mr Chas. marlatt, Chrma of Horticultural Bd. Mr. F.C. Lynam of Bar Herber Mr. Huddilston, Me heague of WomenVeters Oreno Dr. Clarence Little, Pres. if is of M. ALT Cummings, representing State C of Commerce Duat u this Pursuas Camin of Inland Fish? GoilBoxt game Air Mr January White Burger, represent ) Kelsey Ridma THE Comper. attorney for Particill n many references to compactivisive plan . 1922 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust motor road development within the park escalated to a District of Columbia hearing before National Park Service Director Hubert Work. I suspected that there might be a handwritten list of proponents of road development that would add strength to my documentation. That record can now easily be found online in the History Trust archive. Why I was unable to locate it locally remains a mystery-being unprocessed is one feasible explanation. IMAGE: "Lafayette National Park Road Construction Hearing Speakers List, undated," Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association, ...view item "Undiscoverable" Resources When researching the origins of the park, my inquiries about the depth and breadth of collections were more often than not unproductive. This occurred even when I provided evidence for why I suspected that a document was in an organization's https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 6/9 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust holdings (a 2018 report prepared for The History Trust documented the "undiscoverable" extent of these at-risk collections). As historians, we typically encounter dead ends and move forward to publish what is at hand-not what is out of reach. Technological advancements in the last 30 years have vastly improved opportunities for accessing primary and secondary historical resources. Yet, historians are acutely aware that a backlog of potentially valuable unprocessed resources reside in both private and public collections. Once organized and processed, the backlogged content of these collections has the potential to revise our understanding of the past-in some cases it has turned upside down long accepted historical "facts." If adequately promoted to the profession, historians will use online resources of the History Trust since it was brought into being to "save the archives held by its member(s)," providing them with new stewardship tools to catalog, digitize, preserve, and promote their https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 7/9 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust holdings both for their engaged constituencies as well as those far removed from Mount Desert. Header Image: "Mr. Dorr's Hill Side Cottage from the South," Courtesy National Park Service, Acadia National Park, Herbert W. Gleason Glass Plate and Nitrate Negatives Collection. Ronald Epp Born in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley shortly after the entry of America into the Second World War, Ron graduated from the University of Rochester having majored in history and philosophy. He added classical studies in the completion of his doctorate in 1971 from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Ron taught at the U.S. Naval Academy and public and private universities from Memphis to New Hampshire. As the new century dawned he undertook an archival-based inquiry into https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 8/9 3/4/2021 The History Trust and Historians I The History Trust the life of the Father of Acadia. "Creating Acadia National Park: The Biography of George Bucknam Dorr" was published by Friends of Acadia in 2016. View All Posts Explore island history Go To Digital Archive Copyright 2021 - The History Trust. All rights reserved. (Sinatra Theme) https://historytrust.org/the-history-trust-and-historians/ 9/9 "The History Trust & Historians" Scholars research subjects where there is both primary documentation and published analysis and interpretation. Technological advancements in the last thirty years have vastly improved opportunities for accessing primary and secondary resources. Yet despite exaggerated claims about the comprehensiveness of Internet-based research, historians are acutely aware that a backlog of potentially valuable unprocessed resources reside in both private and public collections. Organizing unprocessed content has revised historical records-and in some cases turned upside down long accepted historical "facts." During three decades of vacation visits to MDI, my wife and I heard many accepted origin stories about the forces that brought Acadia National Park into being. Unfortunately, the evidence proved to be incomplete and conflicted. As this new century was born, I began historical research that took me from our National Archives to a family country estate archive in Yorkshire England to the public archive at Acadia National Park headquarters-and hundreds of other repositories. Of the myriad of holdings consulted, many hinted that local collections offered further evidence that might resolve troublesome historical issues or provide new directions of inquiry. For example, in trying to amass a complete paper trail of the families and neighbors who resided near the Bar Harbor Oldfarm residence of park superintendent George Dorr, I was unable to locate on the island the Bar Harbor Blue Book for the early 1940's. I suspect that copies were unprocessed for I am now able to retrieve a History Trust copy. Similarly, in 1924 a local dispute regarding motor road development within the park escalated to a District of Columbia hearing before National Park Service Director Hubert Work. I suspected that there might be an initial handwritten list of proponents of road development that would add strength to my documentation. That record can now easily be found in the History Trust archive. Why I was unable to locate it locally remains a mystery--being unprocessed is one feasible explanation. Inquiries about the depth and breadth of collections were more often than not unproductive, even when evidence was provided for why I suspected that a document was in their holdings (a History Trust 2018 Final Report documented the "undiscoverable" extent of these at-risk collections). Historians typically encounter dead ends and move forward to publish what is at hand-not what is out of reach. The complexities of capturing a digital record and of attaching descriptive metadata to each record are not appreciated by most scholars. Improved communication between archivists and the scholarly professions is sorely needed. Both groups recognize the random degradation of digital data and will continue to elevate original documents preserved in archival boxes over digital copies. If adequately promoted to the profession, historians will use the History Trust since it was brought into being to "save the archives held by its member(s)," providing them with new stewardship tools to catalog, digitize, preserve, and promote their holdings both for their engaged constituencies as well as those far removed from Mount Desert. Ronald H. Epp Born in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley shortly after the entry of America into the Second World War, Ron graduated from the University of Rochester having majored in history and philosophy. He added classical studies in the completion of his doctorate in 1971 from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Ron taught at the U.S. Naval Academy and public and private universities from Memphis to New Hampshire. As the new century dawned he undertook an archival-based inquiry into the life of the Father of Acadia. Creating Acadia National Park: the Biography of George Bucknam Dorr was published by Friends of Acadia in 2016. Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D. 12 February 2021 2/10/2021 Xfinity Connect Re_Connecting With History at historytrust_org Printout Bruce Jacobson 2/10/2021 5:00 PM Re: Connecting With History at historytrust.org To RONALD EPP Ron, thanks so much! The length is fine. Pauline beat you to for this week's posting: https://historytrust.org/connecting-with-maine-history-in-the-most-unlikely-places/ So, that gives some time for finishing up details. We put a short blurb about each author at the bottom of their piece, like the one in Pauline's post, so could you send something along? I'll look in the Digital Archive and see if any photos jump out as illustrations for the text. And, I will certainly be back in touch if I have any suggested edits. Thanks, again. Bruce Bruce Jacobson 617-263-2233 historytrust.org From: RONALD EPP Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 4:52:01 PM To: Bruce Jacobson Cc: Pauline Angione Subject: Re: Connecting With History at historytrust.org Bruce, Thanks for the nudge. Attached you will find my offering, perhaps a bit longer than you expected (the first paragraph could be sacrificed in the name of brevity). If edits are required please send me a copy to review before putting it out to the world. Let me know when it will appear, please. Hope this speaks to what you were looking for. There is so much more that could be said. All the best. https://connect.xfinity.com/appsuite/v=7.10.3-14.20201117.064910/print.html?print_161299860095 1/2 2/11/2011 Lafayette National Park Road Construction Hearing Speakers List, undated . Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association Village Improvement HOMELAND Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association Enter keywords to search for X a Recent Items Help Advanced Search About Browse Lafayette National Park Road Construction Hearing Speakers List, undated Other Images Section Anit San Commest (NPS) Congraman Nilson Many Sen. Pepper (Penn) Summer MOI. (35ym) Sept Goo. B Dorr. (Supt of Lefayette Natilkk) 1 Sen Hale statements Congrann White Citation by Geol Stebbins, Treas & Directorif Trustees of Public statement byHarold in opposition Rest "Lafayette National Park to roadbuilding (at of Paths ( Redictional Road Construction Mr Robt Sterling hard of Nat'/ Packs Assoc Hearing Speakers List, Mafor Allen of N.Y.C. and Seal Hbr. undated," Bar Harbor Mrs Malcolm Perbody of and Biston mi of NY: NEHOR Pres five Mr Chas. marlatt Bd. Village Improvement Mr. FC Lynem of Barttarber Association, accessed Mrs.fil. Huddilston, Meleague of Womensators Orano Dr. Clarence Little, Presid u of m February 11, 2021, A LT Cummings representing State (of Commerce https://barharborvia.net/di and (1) Persons, Comia of Indes for Mr. forthfining represent gitalarchive/items/show/33 Kelsey The import Rel alloway 8. Item 1041 May reference is computer sin plan. https://barharborvia.net/digitalarchive/items/show/338 1/3 2/11/2021 Lafayette National Park Road Construction Hearing Speakers List, undated . Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association Save this item as a PDF file IDENTIFIER: 1041 TITLE: Lafayette National Park Road Construction Hearing Speakers List, undated TYPE: Document, List SUBJECT: Transportation, Automobile Places, Park DESCRIPTION: A list of the names of individuals speaking during the hearing before the Secretary of the Interior on roads in Lafayette National Park on March 26, 1924. People Mentioned: Hubert Work, Arno B. Cammerer, John Edward Nelson, George Wharton Pepper, George B. Dorr, Frederick Hale, Wallace Humphrey White Jr., George L. Stebbins, Harold Peabody, Robert Sterling Yard, Joseph Allen, Lincoln Cromwell, Mary Parkman Peabody, Charles Marlatt, Fred C. Lynam, Mrs. J. H. Huddilston, Clarence Little, A. L. T. Cummings, Willis Parsons, James Q. Gulnac, Fulton J. Redman, Harlan P. Kelsey, Ira G. Hersey, Harris A. Reynolds, Warren H. Manning PLACE: Acadia National Park, Lafayette National Park RIGHTS: Copyright Not Evaluated https://barharborvia.net/digitalarchive/items/show/338 2/3 THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 Mount Desert Islander History Trust membership may grow The boards of 15 local non- proximately 2,000 objects from profit organizations that par- 13 participating organizations ticipated in a study of local his- shows the potential for present- torical archives are considering ing the diversity and breadth of if they will form a governing the collections. body to oversee the next phase All participants agreed that of the History Trust project. solutions need to be economi- The History Trust will work to cal. As museum consultant Ju- catalog, protect and digitize the lia Gray said, "We don't need region's archives and engage a Taj Mahal. A Winnebago the community, especially stu- would suit us well." Though dents, in a greater appreciation conditions of the archives vary of their value. by organization, participants A planning study conducted said that by working together, in 2017 showed that the re- they could more successfully gion's historical archives are at fundraise and improve the cir- risk. At least 20,000 of 45,000 cumstances of each contribut- linear feet of materials are kept ing organization and the group in unsafe conditions. Valuable as a whole. historical materials are un- The boards of the participat- discoverable because of large ing organizations have been processing backlogs, and all asked to endorse a common storage areas are filled beyond agenda. While maintaining their capacity. their own institutional auton- "While the organizations on omy, they would agree to form and around Mount Desert Is- a collaborative with a shared land have amassed impressive mission. The initial tasks for collections," said Tova Mellen, the History Trust governing a principal investigator in the body would be to identify its study, "less than 20 percent of membership and a fiscal agent, the historical holdings are cata- define its goals and estimate loged, and even fewer of the the costs necessary to accom- holdings are accessible to the plish them, and commission a public online." feasibility study to determine At a March 2018 meeting, the group's fundraising capac- representatives of organiza- ity and responsibilities. tions that participated in the The Bar Harbor Village planning study said that their Improvement Association, most pressing concerns include College of the Atlantic, Great the need for improved collec- PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER STEEN BOOHER Cranberry Island Histori- tions care and the people, train- cal Society and Jesup Memo- ing and resources necessary to A detail of a piece of statuary in the sunken garden at care for materials that are in College of the Atlantic, one of the first organizations to rial Library have committed to immediate danger of damage sign up for the next phase of the History Trust project. participation in the next phase of the History Trust project. or loss. Twelve other organizations are Participants identified the along with the right equipment collections widely accessible, expected to consider the agree- need for a processing facility for and people who know how to especially to the region's youth. ment during their scheduled archival materials, with appro- use it. The History Trust also The organizations that board meetings between now priate standards for cataloging, would commit to a common choose to participate in the and the end of May. They are conservation and digitization, digital platform to make the next phase of the project would the Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor agree to work together to re- Historical Society, Great Har- fine the contents of their col- bor Maritime Museum, Isles- lections, improve the condi- ford Historical Society, Maine tions in which the collections Seacoast Mission, Mount Des- are kept, digitize their catalogs ert Island Historical Society, and make online images and Northeast Harbor Library, Seal records of their materials freely Cove Auto Museum, South- available. Though the ultimate west Harbor Historical Society, type of digital catalog will be Swan's Island Educational So- selected at some point in the ciety and Tremont Historical future, a model featuring ap- Society.