Description: The records in the Woman’s Literary Club Collection includes manuscripts, typescripts, letters, annual meeting notes, scrapbooks, news clippings, photographs, meeting programs, photographs, and some objects. Belle Smallidge Knowles and Stella P. Hill, two college-educated women living in Northeast Harbor in the early 20th century, thought the community could benefit from a woman’s club. The Woman's Literary Club of Northeast Harbor held its first meeting in 1908 and quickly gained membership. Club members actively wrote papers (many award-winning) ranging from poetry to local family histories and biographies of famous artists. Members also participated in community improvement projects, and attended state and national women’s club meetings. The club disbanded in 2000 due to dwindling membership. [show more]
Description: Wendell Gilley is a name well known among carvers and carving collectors. Author of The Art of Bird Carving: A Guide to a Fascinating Hobby, one of the earliest instructional books on the subject, Gilley was a pioneer in the field of decorative bird carving. By his estimate, he created “ten thousand birds of pine and paint” between 1931 and 1983. (Gilley also loved alliteration; it should be noted that most of his carvings were made of basswood.) [show more]
Description: Addie Gilley’s created an outstanding collection of her husband’s work. The carvings that Addie so wisely saved over the years became the core of the Museum’s permanent collection. Wendell and Addie were the guests of honor at the opening of the Gilley Museum on July 12, 1981. They remained active in the museum until their deaths a few months apart in 1983.
Description: Luere B. Deasy was born on February 8, 1859 in Gouldsboro to Daniel and Emma L. (Moore) Deasy. He was educated at the State Normal School in Castine. He did not attend college, but received a law degree from Boston University Law School. Deasy was admitted to the Bar in 1884. Prior to sitting on the Court, Deasy practiced in Bar Harbor. Deasy served as President of both the Hancock County Bar Association and the Maine State Bar Association. He was elected to the Maine State Senate and served as its President. Deasy was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on September 25, 1918. On October 1, 1929, he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Gardiner. He served as Chief until his retirement on February 7, 1930, when he returned to private practice in Bar Harbor. Deasy died on March 13, 1940, in Portland, at the age of 81. Sources: In Memoriam, Luere B. Deasy, 138 ME 371; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979. See also article about Deasy at: http://mdihistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Horner.pdf [show more]