ALUMNA IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: ESTHER HODGKINS COLLIER'44 OWNER-MANAGER OF "SONOGEE" Sonogee Mansion and Gardens, Route 3, Bar Harbor Our profile on community leadership offered by Westbrook Alumnae focuses in this issue on a husband and wife team who have had the enthusiasm and ini- tiative to capture and recreate the spirit and elegance of a socially historic era in the history of Bar Harbor, Maine, famed "watering place" for the wealthy at the turn of the 20th century. 4 Alumnac News - Westbook College Sprina 1972 When was the last time you tip toed through 600 rose bushes 400 begonias ? "When was the last time you great fire of 1947 had destroyed guest book remains and contains tiptoed through a garden of 600 most of the Bar Harbor that social many familiar autographs - rose bushes 400 begonias history records. The Colliers saw in Howard Hughes, Franklin D. 500 dahlias ? When did you Sonogee an archetype of an era Roosevelt, Jr., the duPonts, Pulit- last wander through a 40 room that had passed and never would zers, Kennedys. Elizabeth Kent mansion, sorting out the early return. It reflected a special peo- VanAllan had her wedding recep- furnishings of various periods?" ple in a special setting as surely tion at Sonogee. Last summer her as, for instance, the exquisite bridesmaids gave a 40th anniver- Thus does Esther Hodgkins enamelled and bejeweled eggs of sary party for the VanAllans there Collier, Westbrook alumna, Class the Russian czars captured the a formal dinner and dance for of 1944, tempt the sojourner in extravagant elegance of the years 150." Bar Harbor to visit Sonogee Man- before the debacle. Esther and sion, the summer home, built in Harold Collier looked at the 40- The Colliers' dream of preserving 1903, of several wealthy American room mansion, built in the Italian this unique estate has captured families, including the Vander- villa style, surrounded by its widespread interest. Educational bilts and the Kents. Best known as formal Mediterranean landscaping, TV at the University of Maine the "Kent place," Sonogee was brilliant inside with its marble used Sonogee in its film, "A Fresh purchased by A. Atwater Kent, stairway, its hand-painted wall- Breeze Blows Down East" and inventor-industrialist of Philadel- paper from France, its portraits the Readers' Digest is interested phia, in 1927 and the mansion re- brought over from England, its in including the mansion in its new flects his tastes both in furnishings Jacobean furniture, surprisingly book, American Treasures. Over and in landscaping. mixed with built-at-the-factory 20,000 people visit Sonogee each Atwater Kent specialties. And they summer, but, despite its immense Gone is the opulence of the turn decided, simple as that, that Sono- attraction, even this number pay- of the century when Bar Harbor gee Mansion must be preserved ing a small fee does not begin to was the American watering place as an historical site typical of Bar pay for the cost of the mansion's for American millionaires, many of Harbor in the day when it was the maintenance. them enjoying the first fruits of summer retreat for the nation's their self-made fortunes. Gone are social and sporting elite. "When was the last time you the "cottages" with a dozen or tiptoed through 600 rose bushes?" more servants, elaborate formal A Maine corporation was formed Why not, when you are in Maine gardens, mirrored and marbled and in 1969 the Colliers purchased this summer, visit historic Sonogee halls, yachts at mooring with their Sonogee and opened the mansion Mansion located on Route 3, just Maine-born skippers nautically and its gardens to the public. north of the Bluenose Ferry brass buttoned and dressed in "We were fortunate," says Esther, Terminal. If you happen to be their blues and whites. Gone are "that the grounds had always been there during the Bar Harbor the lavish dinners, the tea dances, kept up. The house contains the Festival, you might wish to take the rustle of silks, the certain sure, oriental rugs and dining room set in the recital in the music room at easy sounds of the very rich belonging to the Frederick Vander- Sonogee, scheduled for July 14th enjoying the pleasures that great bilts. Atwater Kent's collection of and July 28th. And don't forget wealth can provide. antiques, silver, paintings, as well to say "hello" and "thank you" as several Atwater Kent radios, to Esther Hodgkins Collier, West- But, thanks to Esther Collier and still remain. The only thing we had brook Alumna, who is playing a her husband, Harold, both Bar to do was to add emergency lights leading part in helping to preserve Harbor natives, Sonogee is not and change a few doors to conform a unique and glamorous bit of gone. Time, the reaper, and the with the fire regulations. The Kent Maine's past. 5