Oldfarm 3: The Quiet Beauty of Island Life

Dorr Point

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

44.375545, -68.192231

The Quiet Beauty of Island Life

George B. Dorr spent his time at Oldfarm, his mansion at Compass Harbor, immersed in both the natural world and the work of preserving it. He lived a relatively simple and disciplined life, especially in his later years, devoting himself almost entirely to the creation and care of what would become Acadia National Park. At Oldfarm, Dorr worked on correspondence, wrote passionate appeals to donors and government officials, and meticulously planned the protection of the island’s landscapes. He often walked the trails and shoreline, keeping close watch on the land he loved. Visitors described him as intensely focused, deeply knowledgeable about the island’s ecology, and often dressed in modest, worn clothes rather than the formal attire one might expect from someone of his background.

George B. Dorr was known to swim in the waters near his home at Compass Harbor, even well into his later years. Despite the chilly temperatures of the Maine coast, Dorr was an avid and hardy swimmer, often taking daily dips in the Atlantic right near Oldfarm. His swimming was part of a larger personal discipline—he lived simply, exercised regularly, and stayed deeply connected to the natural world he worked so hard to preserve. Accounts describe him as continuing this routine even as he aged, with some saying he swam nearly year-round. It was a testament to his resilience and dedication, both to his health and to the environment.

Today, though the mansion itself is gone, the site at Compass Harbor remains open to visitors and offers a quiet, wooded trail leading to the spot where Dorr lived and worked—a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to protect the island's natural beauty.

► Please CLICK HERE to watch the video if a player fails to display.

Duration:

28 seconds

Station Three of the Oldfarm Video Tour