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Contact: Glenn M. Faria
Property: Ledgelawn Inn, an imposing shingle-style mansion, was built in 1904 as a summer “cottage” for John Brigham and his family, a wealthy Boston shoe manufacturer. After commissioning local architect, John Savage, to design the home and hiring Bar Harbor builder John Clark to oversee construction, Brigham took possession of his new home in time for the 1904 summer season in Bar Harbor. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, the Ledgelawn was the last of the grand summer residences to be built on Mount Desert Street. Brigham was renowned for his grand and lavish parties — and the Ledgelawn’s interior, with its spacious common room, beautiful foyer, elegant sweeping staircase, grand fireplace and numerous antiques provided a superb venue for his lavish life-style. Ledgelawn Inn, the “grande dame” of Bar Harbor’s Historic Corridor combines the essence of its historic nature with 20th century convenience and unparalleled service. This AAA three-diamond rated property features a host of guest amenities including heated outdoor pool, hot tub, an atmospheric Lounge and complimentary airport and ferry livery service. Today, even with some minor renovations, guests find the property essentially unchanged from its original splendor. The handsome sunporch lounge — replete with full bar — offers an excellent venue for whiling away long, lazy summer afternoons. And inside, the feel is of a bygone era — and one might even expect Bogey and Bacall to be occupying one of the comfortable corner nooks. Furnishings are, for the most part, indigenous to the building. Each of the Inn’s rooms and suites can be truly said to have its own unique personality. Some are square, a few oblong — one room even has a commode in an erstwhile elevator. Many furnishings and antiques which fill the building are one-of-a-kind. Unusual porcelain sinks, a bricked wall, original period lighting fixtures and European and American antiques create an authentic early 20th century environment perfect for holiday making. But the authentic surroundings do not imply that modern creature comforts have been given short shrift. The Inn comprises 33 rooms and suites in the original main building and a contemporary Carriage House, which, although constructed in 1976, is faithful to the property’s original and distinctive shingle style. It is large enough to offer each guest the privacy and convenience of a small boutique hotel, yet small enough that it still offers intimacy, very attentive personal service and attention to detail. Each guest has sufficient “space” to be able to unwind in privacy yet be able to mix and mingle comfortably with other guests. From the Ledgelawn Inn, it is a mere three-minute walk to “downtown” Bar Harbor, with its handsome town green, waterfront, shops, boutiques and outstanding coterie of dining establishments. Golf and tennis are available nearby as are a host of world-class sights and attractions, in keeping with Bar Harbor’s tradition as a major resort. Guest Rooms: The Inn comprises 33 guest rooms and suites with varying amenities and features. All rooms feature private baths, many original antiques, color television and telephone. Many also offer four-poster beds, porches, working fireplaces, sauna and steambath plus whirlpool tubs. Six rooms with one or two double bed(s) are rooms numbered 127 (Dbl canopy), 221 (Dblx2), 227, 321 (Dblx2), 322 (Dblx2), 323 (Dblx2). 25 rooms with one or two queen beds are rooms numbered: 121 (Qn canopyx2), 123, 124, 125, 126, 222 (suite with Qn4-poster), 225, 226 (Qn+Dbl), 228, 229, 324 (Qn4-poster), 325, 326, 131, 132, 133, 134, 231, 232, 233, 234, 331, 332, 333 (Qn canopy), 334. Two rooms with king beds 122 (suite), 224. See following for individual room descriptions. Room # 121. Large room with two queen canopy beds, large fplc with sofa and chair. Bath with tub/shower combo. Brick patio. AC. $145-295 122. Suite with king bed, fplcd living room, sofa and chair. Bath with tub/shower combo. AC. $155-275 123. Queen bed, fplc, two chairs and porch. Bath with shower and sauna. Necessaire in orig elevator. $125-225 124. Smaller room with Queen bed, loveseat and chair; bath with shower, access to brick patio. AC. $75-195 125. Queen wooden canopy bed, Franklin fireplace; four comfortable chairs, porch, chandelier. Bath with tub/shower combo. AC. $125-225 126. Bright, sunny room with Queen bed and two comfortable chairs. Porch (share with #127). Bath with shower. $95-195 127. Queen sleigh bed, two comfortable chairs, porch (share with # 126). Marble tiled bath with whirlpool/shower combo. AC. $125-225 221. Large room with two double beds, fplc, two comfortable chairs, outside deck. Bath with tub/shower combo. AC. $145-255 222. Suite with Queen canopy bed, large fireplaced living room, queen sofa bed and four chairs, writing desk. Bath with tub/shower combo and sauna. AC. Semi-enclosed deck (share w #221). $175-295 224. Spacious fireplaced room with King bed, settee and two wing chairs. Bath with shower. $155-255 225. Queen canopy bed, fplc, two comfortable chairs. Bath with tub/shower combo. $125-225 226. Small, narrow room with one Queen and one Double (Full) bed. Bath with shower only. AC. $85-195 227. Smaller room (11’x8’) with Double bed. Bath with whirlpool tub/shower. $75-145 228. Small 2-rm suite; LR w fplc, 2 comfortable chairs. Separate BR w Q bed, priv deck. Bath w shower. $85-195 229. Small room (12’x18’) with Queen bed. Bath has whirlpool tub/shower. Outside deck. $75-155 321. Room with two Double (Full) beds, two comfortable chairs. Bath with tub/shower. AC. $85-225 322. Room with two Double (Full) beds, two comfortable chairs. Bath with shower. AC. $85-225 323. Two Double (Full) beds, two comfortable chairs. Bath with tub/shower combo. AC. $85-225 324. Queen four-poster bed , two comfortable chairs. Bath with shower. AC. $75-165 325. Very small room with Queen bed and chair. Bath with shower. AC. $70-95 326. Smaller room with Queen bed, two comfortable chairs and skylight. Bath with shower. AC. $75-165 131. Queen bed, fplc, sofa and chair. Bath w whirlpool tub/shower. Private porch. AC. $125-245 132. Queen bed, fplc, sofa and chair. Bath with whirlpool tub/shower combo. Private porch. AC. Smaller. $125-235 133. Queen bed, loveseat and chair. Bath with whirlpool tub/shower combo. Porch. AC. $95-225 134. Queen bed, sofa and chair. Bath with whirlpool tub/shower combo. AC. $95-225 231. Queen bed, fplc, two comfortable chairs. Bath with whirlpool tub/shower combo. Balcony. AC. $125-245 232. Queen brass bed, fplc, two comfortable chairs. Bath with shower and sauna. AC. $125-225 233. Queen bed, queen sleep sofa and chair. Bath with shower. Balcony. AC. $95-225 234. Queen canopy bed, small sofa and writing desk. Bath with whirlpool/tub/shower combo. Private balcony. $95-225 331. Smaller room with Queen bed, two comfortable chairs. Bath with tub/shower combo. AC. $75-185 332. Small two-room open suite w Queen bed, LR complete w Queen sleep sofa, chair and writing desk. Bath w shower. AC. $75-185 333. Queen canopy bed, two comfortable chairs. Private balcony. Smaller room. AC. $95-195 334. Queen bed, sofa and chair. Bath tub/shower combination. Private balcony. Bright w yellow wallpaper. AC. $95-225
Services: Complimentary concierge service for dining, theater, sights and attractions, ferries; guests may receive and transmit faxes (nominal charge). Babysitting available; afternoon tea and coffee with sweets. Guest Facilities: Heated outdoor pool Cuisine & Dining: Deluxe continental breakfast served daily Meeting Facilities: Common areas may be used for meetings and gatherings. Common areas and guest accommodations can be set for small meetings and conferences and family reunions. The inn staff can arrange for audio visual, tenting and other equipment as required for different functions. Activities on Site: Swimming and watersports in the outdoor heated
pool Attractions & Activities: Acadia National Park: Comprising nearly
40,000 acres, Acadia attracts more than 4 million visitors annually.
In 1919, Acadia became the first national park east of the Mississippi
River. The Park is undeniably one of the best places for hiking
on the entire New England seaboard and provides unsurpassed opportunities
to observe both flora (boreal northern and temperate southern
species) and fauna. The largest portions of the Park are situated
on roughly 12- x 14-mile Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic
Peninsula, which are separated by Frenchman's Bay, and rocky,
six-mile long Horse and carriage rides are available within the Park at Wildwood Stables (Memorial Day - October (207) 276-3622) and there are ample bicycle shops on Mount Desert Island, including Acadia Bike & Canoe on Cottage Street (207) 288-9605. Mountain tours are available at Jolly Roger's Trolley (207) 288-3327, Oli's Trolley at (207) 288-9899 and bus tours run by the Park. The Acadia Wild Garden, Abbe Museum (features Native American artifacts), 250-yard Sand Beach (the only sandy beach in the Park), Sieur le Monts Spring, the trail to Great Head the Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs (sheer cliffs rising 11 feet above the ocean) are just a few of the Park's highlights. The restaurant at Jordan Pond House ((207) 276-3316 serves lunch, tea (at which its legendary popovers and homemade strawberry jam - a century-old tradition - are served) and dinner daily 11:30am-8pm closed late Oct-mid-May) is renowned for its afternoon tea on the lawn. From here, patrons have an excellent view of Jordan Pond and the "Bubbles" - two nearly twin mountains formed by glaciers. The Gate House, across from the restaurant, is architecturally unique. No visit to Acadia would be complete without the requisite trip to Cadillac Summit, at 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the Atlantic Coast. From this vantage point, visitors are rewarded by an arresting panorama - harbor, the Porcupine and Cranberry Islands, Winter Harbor, Ironbound and Schoodic Peninsula. Most visitors concentrate on the eastern side of the Park by following Park Loop Road, a mostly-one-way, 27-mile road which skirts Cadillac Mountain and provides views which encapsulate the stunning beauty and variety of Acadia. Although Park Loop Road could be taken in in several hours, it warrants a full-day's exploration. It may also be toured via bicycle, although vehicular traffic does detract from this mode of transport. Between June and October, the Park publishes the Acadia Beaver Log, a free newspaper listing ranger-led tours, cruises and walks. Acadia National Park, Post Office Box 177, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 (207) 288-3338. Acadian Whale Watcher: Sails from opposite Golden Anchor Pier on West
Street with departures at 8am, 12:15 and 4:45pm in July-August;
8:30am and 1:30pm mid-June to Mount Desert Oceanarium: Features a 50,000-gallon tank, domicile to harbor seals and exploration of the ecosystem between land and sea during the Thomas Bay Marsh Walk. Maine Lobster Museum features demonstrations of how traps are made plus lobster boat boardings with licensed Maine lobstermen to answer questions. Mon-Sat 9-5 mid-May to late Oct. Southwest Harbor (207) 288-5005. Natural History Museum: Occupies a stone mansion in the College of the Atlantic. Displays of mounted mammals and birds in lifelike scenes and a hands-on whale skeleton model with a backbone. Daily 9-5 June 1 -Labor Day. (207) 288-5015. Oceanarium/Lobster Hatchery: Next to municipal pier. Guides explain the lobster
MV Bluenose Nova Scotia Day Cruise: Departures at 8am daily late June to late September from the ferry terminal offer a full-day excursion to Yarmouth; six-hour cruise time each way. The trip features two meals, a lounge and slot machines (in international waters) and movies, entertainment, a children's play area and duty-free shopping. The ferry also transports vehicles for an additional charge. (207) 288-339/(800) 341-7981. Acadia Zoo: A wonderful habitat for 40 species of wild and domestic animals including reindeer, wolves, monkeys and a moose. A barn has been converted into a habitat for monkeys, birds, reptiles and other Amazon creatures. There are also streams, pastures and woods as part of the wildlife habitat. May-November daily 9:30-dusk. Trenton (207) 667-3244. Bar Harbor Historical Society Museum: On Jesup Memorial Library's lower level, the Museum displays photographs of Bar Harbor from its halcyon days when it catered to the wealthy - Astors, Rockefellers and Carnegies. Free. Mid-June to -October, Mon-Sat 1-4pm (207) 288-4245.
Wendell Gilley Museum: Bird carvings, from miniature waterfowl to life-size owls, carving demonstrations, wildlife art exhibits, natural history programs in an award-winning building. May-December with varying hours. Southwest Harbor (207) 244-7555.
Ownership: Nancy Cloud and Michael Miles, owners and innkeepers (see bios), are actively involved and oversee the day-to-day operations of the inn.
Street & Mailing Address: 66 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Telephone & Fax: (207) 288-4596 or (800) 274-5334 Web/E-mail: www.barharborvacations.com / E-mail: barhbrinns@aol.com
Pets: Permitted with advance notice; there is a $15 charge per pet per night. The Inn does have "Doggie Etiquette" rules available for the asking.
Extra Persons: $30 charge for an extra person in a guest room; cots available at no additional charge. Children: All ages welcome. Additional charge for children 4+ is $10 per night; under 4 years, no charge. Babysitting can be arranged Reservations: Upon making a reservation, guests and travel agents will be asked to guarantee the room(s) reserved by credit card or by sending a check for a deposit. The requisite deposit is 50% of the stay's room charges for any reservations of five (5) nights or more. Checks for guarantees must be received within ten (10) days of reservation or the reservation could be cancelled. |
Isle
au Haut. A short film is shown every ½-hour at the Hulls
Cove Visitors Center ((207) 288-3338), where visitors can also
get a free map. Weekly passes are $5 per vehicle and $3 per bicycle.
One of the Park's prominent features is the preponderant network
of "carriage roads" which crisscross the Park, off-limits
to vehicles and ideal for walking and biking. These gravel roads
are legacies of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who designed
and financed 44 miles of road, 16 stone bridges and two gatehouses
from 1913 to 1940. He also purchased and donated more than 11,000
acres (nearly one-third of the Park) - to the American people.
July & in September. Four-hour excursions to Mount Desert
Rock and other local feeding areas offers frequent sightings
of a variety of whales and other marine animals. (207) 288-9776/(800)
421-3307.
hatching and raising
processes plus visitors can observe diminutive lobster via a
microscope linked to a television monitor. Mon-Sat 9-8:30pm July
& August; 9-5 mid-May to June 30 and Sept 1-late Oct (combination
ticket with Mount Desert Oceanarium).
Directions:
From Boston and South: Route 95 and/or Maine Turnpike north to
Route 1 to Ellsworth and Route 3. Cross onto Mount Desert Island
remaining on Route 3 into the town of Bar Harbor and make a sharp
left turn at the first stop sign and continue 900 yards to The
Ledgelawn Inn on right.
