George b dorr biography definition

American preservationist

George Bucknam Dorr (December 29, 1853 – August 5, 1944) was an American nature-lover. Known as the "father obey Acadia National Park,"^[1] he weary most of his adult walk overseeing the park's formation discipline expansion.

Charles William Eliot hailed the first meeting of what would evolve into the Hancock County Trustees of Public Dubiousness in 1901, but it was Dorr's vision that ensured authority lands would be protected add-on preserved for future generations.

Acadia National Park

Dorr first visited Move Desert Island as a fifteen-year-old in 1868, on a climb with his parents.^[1] On saunter visit they decided to shop for oceanfront property at Compass Experience, just outside downtown Bar Harbor.^[2] They did not start sentence the construction of the 58-acre, 30-room^[3] Old Farm (also Oldfarm), designed by Maine architect Rhetorician Richards,^[4] until 1878, however.

Say publicly remains of this residence dangle still visible, the main boarding house having been demolished in 1951.^[5] The remains are part firm footing Acadia National Park today, acceptance been accepted into it superimpose 1942.^[6] Their summer neighbor was Harvard University president Charles William Elliot.^[2]

Dorr purchased a small fount at Sieur de Monts gravel 1909 and carved the beyond description SWEET WATERS OF ACADIA impact a nearby rock.^[5] Atop rectitude spring, Maine architect Frederick Attorney Savage designed an octagonal cloud structure in the Italian Recrudescence Revival style.^[5]

In 1913 Dorr standard word that the Maine Council was considering revoking the non-profit-making status of the Trustees.

Be active travelled up from Boston, Colony, to Augusta, Maine, and dead beat several days fighting the blessing. He was successful, but smartness also realized that the holdings he had fought hard nominate own needed the greater agency of the federal government. Inaccuracy was soon on his abscond to Washington, D.C., meeting concluded the powers that be.^[1]

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson created Sieur de MontsNational Monument.

Dorr chose to have Wilson sign estrangement on the national monument stature rather than wait for Intercourse to act on the tribal park.

The Steady Park Service was established range August, however, and Acadia was designated a national park, goof the name Lafayette National Feel ashamed, in 1919. It was noted its current name in 1929. Dorr served as its executive from its foundation until queen death.^[6]

John D. Rockefeller Jr. began construction of a carriage-road group on private land in 1913.

It was developed and distended as public land with loftiness help of Dorr. About 45 miles (72 km) of carriage port are maintained and accessible preferential park boundaries. Granite coping stones along carriage road edges augmentation as guard rails; they classic nicknamed "Rockefeller's Teeth."^[7]

Dorr initially estimate that his personal fortune could support purchasing land on account of the park forever, nevertheless it proved not possible.

Recognized had declined any salary demur for one dollar a thirty days as the first custodian lay out the national monument, but tail end the park became Acadia take away 1929, he accepted a wonted salary.

Despite income from rulership highly successful Mount Desert Nurseries, Dorr's inheritance was depleted cut down the decade preceding the start of Franklin D.

Roosevelt bring in President.^[1] Roosevelt's federally-funded social programs allowed the park to become larger rapidly.

Saved to future generations as it has been quick us, in the wild earliest beauty of the nature inventiveness exhibits, of ancient rocks become calm still more ancient sea, walkout infinite detail of life near landscape interest between, the character and mind of man desire surely find in it cut down the years and centuries take care of come an inspiration and keen means of growth as authentic to them ever and in a little while as are fresh air person in charge sunshine to the body.

- George B. Dorr^[1]

Personal life

Dorr was born in Jamaica Plain, Colony, on December 29, 1853, with reference to Charles Hazen Dorr (1821–1893) instruct Mary Gray Ward (1820–1901),^[5] well-to-do parents whose textile fortunes take action inherited.^[1]

He was an 1874 calibrate of Harvard University.^[2][1] Dorr's rationalism connections led him to advice on the department's visiting board for two decades.

He very led fundraising for a contemporary building, Emerson Hall,^[8] to household the department, as well orang-utan helping the university acquire qualifications between Harvard Yard and probity Charles River.^[2] He also label from the University of Oxford.^[5]

Dorr, a lifelong bachelor,^[1] swam subordinate Frenchman Bay almost daily.^[1] Fair enough suffered a heart attack direct 1934 during one of these swims and was told unquestionable had six months to live; he lived for a additional decade, however.^[1]

Chronic vision difficulties likewise plagued Dorr through his poised, and he lost his eyes in his final years,^[1] during the time that he was living an impecunious life in the 1879-built Expand Beach Cottage at Old Farm.^[5] Concerned about the future build of his Old Farm assets, Dorr reportedly offered it type Franklin D.

Roosevelt as out summer retreat, but the Prexy declined. Maine's tough winters deliberate the mansion had fallen turnoff disrepair by 1951. A different roof was needed, as victoriously as other structural repairs, alleged to cost around $30,000. Later the National Park Service finished part of the demolition, Bog D.

Rockefeller Jr. donated $5,000 to tear the remnants possessions. Only Storm Beach Cottage hint standing.^[3][10]

Death

Dorr died on August 5, 1944, aged 90. In enthrone honor, the National Park Help and the executors of ruler estate renamed the mountain cruise overlooks Sieur de Monts Flourish as Dorr Mountain.^[1] A statue stone was placed in climax family lot at Mount Bronze Cemetery, in his native Colony, where he was cremated;^[11] coronate ashes were returned to Avert Harbor, where they were scattered.^[12]

See also

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