Early Performing Arts Bar Harbor


Building of Arts, Bar Harbor, ca. 1930

Building of Arts, Bar Harbor, ca. 1930
Item 18965   info
Jesup Memorial Library

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, 1920

Play at the Casino in Bar Harbor, 1920
Item 14448   info
Bar Harbor Historical Society

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.

Building of Arts Program, 1928

Building of Arts Program, 1928
Item 21196   info
Bar Harbor Historical Society

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.

Enchantress of the Streams: A wordless Greek Idyl of Description Dance and Pantomime

Enchantress of the Streams: A wordless Greek Idyl of Description Dance and Pantomime
Item 81395   info
Northeast Harbor Library

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, Bar Harbor, 1920

Greek Festival, Bar Harbor, 1920
Item 21195   info
Bar Harbor Historical Society

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

Building of the Arts Program, 1907

Building of the Arts Program, 1907
Item 81401   info
Northeast Harbor Library

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

Interior of Building of the Arts Program, 1907

Interior of Building of the Arts Program, 1907
Item 81404   info
Northeast Harbor Library

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.

Group of Players in Costume, 1919

Group of Players in Costume, 1919
Item 81405   info
Northeast Harbor Library

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 1900s through the 30s with its peak season in the summer.

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