Maine Cottages: Fred L. Savage and the Architecture of Mount Desert

305 Pages·2005·96.141 MB·English

by  John M. Bryan, Richard Cheek

!

Maine Cottages
!
Fred L. Savage
and the Architecture of Mount Desert
John M. Bryan
Photographs by Richard Cheek
Princeton Architectural Press,New York

Dedicated to Charles Butt
who has restored Fred L.Savage’s shingle-style masterpiece Rosserne,and whose
generous support made possible this study of the architect’s life and work.
Published by
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East Seventh Street
New York,New York 10003
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© 2005 Princeton Architectural Press
All rights reserved
Printed and bound in China
08 07 06 05 5 4 3 2 1 First edition
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the
publisher,except in the context of reviews.
Every reasonable attempt has been made to identify owners of copyright.Errors or omissions will be
corrected in subsequent editions.
All photographs © Richard Cheek unless otherwise noted.
Frontispiece and page 15:Sunset over Somes Sound,Mount Desert Island
Pages 4–5:Harborside,Northeast Harbor
Project coordination: Jan Cigliano
Editing and layout: Nicola Bednarek
Design: Jan Haux
Special thanks to: Nettie Aljian,Janet Behning,Megan Carey,Penny (Yuen Pik) Chu,Russell Fernandez,
Clare Jacobson,John King,Mark Lamster,Nancy Eklund Later,Linda Lee,Katharine Myers,Lauren
Nelson,Jane Sheinman,Scott Tennent,Jennifer Thompson,Joseph Weston,and Deb Wood of Princeton
Architectural Press —Kevin C.Lippert,publisher
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Bryan,John Morrill.
Maine cottages : Fred L.Savage and the architecture of Mount Desert / John M.Bryan ; photographs by
Richard Cheek.
p.cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-56898-317-4 (alk.paper)
1. Savage,Fred L.,1861–1924—Criticism and interpretation.2. Cottages—Maine—Mount Desert Island.
3. Architecture—Maine—Mount Desert Island—19th century.4. Architecture—Maine—Mount Desert
Island—20th century. I.Title: Fred L.Savage and the architecture of Mount Desert.II.Savage,Fred L.,
1861–1924.III.Title.
NA737.S325B79 2005
728'.37'092—dc22
2004025905
Contents
Foreword by Robert R. Pyle
10
Acknowledgments
12
Introduction
16
Chapter I
Foundations
18
Savage’s Ancestors and Mount Desert
20
Artists and Tourism on Mount Desert
26
Recreation, Education, and Moral Development
32
Rusticators Come to Northeast Harbor
36
Savage’s Architectural Training
42
The Earliest Drawings by Savage
46
Chapter II
Northeast Harbor, Islesboro, and the
60
Shingle Style
(1887–1900)
Savage and Stratton, Architects
62
The Shingle Style
70
Savage’s Early Work in Northeast Harbor
76
Stylistic Diversity
128
The Islesboro Cottages
140
Chapter III
Bar Harbor and the End of the
152
Cottage Era
(1900–1924)
Savage’s Later Work in the Historical Revival Styles
154
The Preservation Movement on Mount Desert
216
Savage’s Public Buildings
222
The City Beautiful Movement in Bar Harbor
232
Fred L. Savage, Automobile Dealer
242
The Twilight of Savage’s Architectural Career
246
Savage’s Estate
260
A Postscript
262
Notes
268
Appendix
A Preliminary List of Buildings and
278
Projects by Savage
In His Own Words: Selected Writings By
283
and Attributed to Savage
Selected Bibliography
296
Index
298