Discover The Elegance Of Bar Harbor

OVERVIEW

See how Bar Harbor has changed over time by visiting key landmarks that tell the story, beginning with the Bar Harbor Historical Society. While browsing the intriguing exhibits, you will gain an understanding of the indigenous Wabanaki people, the fabulously rich who built Gilded Age mansions in the late 1880s and how the Fire of 1947 – which burned for nearly a month, often out of control – instigated the rebuilding of the city that stands today. To add texture to the story, you will also see some of the historical buildings that reflect different architectural trends, including the Art Deco-designed Criterion Theatre, the Victorian-style Shore Path Cottage and St. Saviour’s, a 19th-century American Shingle-style church that boasts the largest number of Tiffany stained-glass windows in Maine. Urban oases such as the Village Green and seaside Agamont Park have also been prominent elements in Bar Harbor’s layout, which pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit landmarks that show how Bar Harbor has evolved over the centuries.
• Delve into Bar Harbor’s fascinating past by browsing the historical society’s museum.
• Recognize how the architectural trends have changed since the opulent Gilded Age.
• See greenspaces that have played important roles in Bar Harbor’s history.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.