The Old Firehouse – Great Harbor Maritime Museum

Constructed between 1916 and 1917, the municipal building in Northeast Harbor marked a milestone in the history of Mount Desert. Since 1789 town business had largely been conducted in Somesville. But as Northeast Harbor developed at the turn of the twentieth century, and as automobiles made travel easier, it was less important for official business to take place at the geographic center of the town.

Elevation drawing for the municipal building and firehouse in Northeast Harbor, drawn by I.E. Ralph in 1916. The main facade has a stepped gable, two large firehouse doors, and is covered with stucco. The southern wall has clapboards. At the far right is a framing diagram — Elevation Drawing for the Municipal Building and Firehouse, Northeast Harbor, by I.E. Ralph, 1916

Floor plans and framing drawing for the municipal building in Northeast Harbor, drawn by I.E. Ralph in 1916. The second floor is composed of two rooms, a selectmen's office and an unfinished space, while the ground floor is all devoted to the firehouse. At the far right is a framing diagram — Floor Plans for the Municipal Building by I.E. Ralph, 1916

After many discussions, town officials and members of the Northeast Harbor Fire Company selected a site on the eastern side of Main Street, in the center of Northeast Harbor’s business district. As workmen began to clear the area in September, 1916, The Bar Harbor Record informed readers that “The Northeast Harbor fire house is no longer a myth, for work on the same was begun this week…”

Built by William Peckham following plans drawn by Isaac Ralph, the new municipal building, with a stucco façade and a prominent stepped gable, stood apart from its neighbors. Costing a total of $7,151.66, the building’s ground floor provided space for the village fire company, while a large room upstairs was used for town business.

Founded in 1898, the Northeast Harbor Fire Company was organized by citizens concerned about local fire protection. Though the company built a small “fire barn” to store their equipment, as Northeast Harbor grew this space became inadequate. The new municipal building provided plenty of room for both the fire company and the town, at least at first.

But in his 1933 report, Town Manager Herbert Thomas wrote “There are a great many of the Town records stored in the municipal offices with no protection against fire. These records are old and very valuable and should be in a fireproof vault… I suggest that construction begin as soon as possible.”

Completed in 1934, an addition to the municipal building added public restrooms and a jail cell on the first floor, with a town manager’s office and a fireproof vault above. At the same time the original stepped gable was removed and a clock, given in memory of George Manchester, was installed on the front of the building.

Alterations in 1941, overseen by architect George Savage, further enlarged the building and provided enough space for all of the fire company’s five vehicles: a ladder truck, two fire engines, a jeep, and an ambulance.

By the late 1970s the municipal building was too small to meet the needs of either the town or the Northeast Harbor Fire Company. With limited space to enlarge the existing structure, Curtis and Patricia Blake offered to build a replacement on Sea Street, with modern offices and ample space for public safety needs.

When the town offices and fire company moved to Sea Street, the vacant Main Street building was the subject of much debate. While some eyed the site for a downtown parking lot, others argued that the building should be preserved. “We need a good historical museum for our town…” wrote Mildred Gilley in a 1981 letter to Mount Desert’s Selectmen, “[and] we may have the building already right here in Northeast Harbor. Please consider this seriously. You know each town has many treasures and items of interest just waiting for a showcase.”

With permission from the Selectmen and support from both the summer and year-round communities, a new museum called the Great Harbor Collection opened in the former municipal building in the summer of 1982.

Having leased since 1982, the Great Harbor Maritime Museum acquired the former municipal building in 2010. Since then restoration projects, including the removal of vinyl siding and the recreation of the original doors, have brought the building closer to its 1930s appearance.

Many today still remember coming to the museum for town business. Some recall talking with Carlton Taylor as he washed fire trucks outside on warm summer days. Others describe the scene on Christmas, when village children came to see Santa, receive a box of cracker jacks, and enjoy rides on the ladder truck.

Friends still gather to socialize on the benches outside the museum and Northeast Harbor’s Christmas tree is still placed in front of the building each December. But the spaces formerly devoted to town business and housing fire trucks are now used to share some of the many stories relating to the area’s maritime history.

The Firehouse decorated for Christmas around 1950. A tree is placed in front of the building, and lights are visible on the facade. A school bus is parked beside the firehouse. — The Town Office and Firehouse decorated for Christmas, c. 1950. Photograph by George Fennelley

The old firehouse decorated for Christmas, December 2020. — Though it is now a museum, the Old Firehouse remains central to holiday celebrations in Northeast Harbor. A bonfire in front of the building in early December has been a part of town festivities for decades. The star and Noel sign we made for the building in the early 1970s, and are often used during the holiday season.