Sarah Farmer (1847-1916) lived in Eliot, Maine and was accustomed to altruistic activities. She helped to support the Eliot Hotel in 1890 with four others as a resort hotel. Later she held great assemblies there and invited learned speakers from around the globe, "...and I realized, too, how much more good would come from a summer vacation if instead of being burdened with the effort of finding amusement for leisure hours, one's mind and soul could be refreshed by helpful thoughts..."

Hence the gatherings at the Green Acre Inn (formerly Eliot Hotel) were international in nature and attempted to be open-minded and all accepting.