Northport. Me. 19

Northport. Me. 19

"Northport. Me. 19" "God Sees All", "A True Christian ... `, inside Church "Interior of Auditorium." --Bayside Historical Preservation Society, 2009/2010 [included in the exhibit "Waldo County Through Eastern's Eye"] God Sees All Eastern Illustrating Collection, LB2007.1.113609 Light streams through an open doorway illuminating a young girl in front of a piano on a stage while a woman stands by, probably her instructor. There is no congregation, but the large lettering on the wall reminds her she is being observed. A three hundred acre plot on the coast of Northport became the site of the Wesleyan Camp Ground at Bayside in 1849. Over several decades many Society cottages were built, most with gingerbread trim, as well as a steamboat wharf where the Boston boat could land on its way to and from Bangor. In 1891, this auditorium was constructed which could seat 1000 people. It was used for worship services and Chautauqua assemblies as well as lectures, concerts, musicals, dances, and even social gatherings. Many spiritual and religious groups established campgrounds and communities in various spots in Maine in the latter half of the 19th century. [included in the exhibit "Waldo County Through Eastern's Eye"] Northport, Maine This interior view of the Auditorium at Northport Wesleyan Grove Campmeeting was greeted with "oohs" and "ahs" when first shown by Kevin Johnson to a 21st century gathering of Baysiders! Built in 1893 to replace the outdoor stand and seating, the Auditorium, which measured 64 feet square, became a focus for life on the campground. Used for religious services, Chautauqua meetings, musical performances, and even social gatherings of the Northport Country Club, the Auditorium was constructed inside the circle of Society cottages, requiring the removal of several of these buildings from the ocean side to the northern side of this natural amphitheater. Using period photographs, Dick Brockway of Bayside constructed in 2002 a scale model of the Auditorium. This model and another of the Northport Hotel are on view in the Community Hall. These models bring to life the buildings which were torn down (the Auditorium in 1934) or burned (the Hotel in 1919). Contributed by: Beverly Crofoot, Bayside Historical Society