Item 71743 - The Eyrie, Seal Harbor, ca. 1938

Item 71743 - The Eyrie, Seal Harbor, ca. 1938
Contributed by Boston Public Library
Item 71743
The Eyrie, Seal Harbor, ca. 1938
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The Eyrie was the Tudor-style summer home of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. on the southeast corner of Mount Desert Island overlooking Seal Harbor. In 1910, Rockefeller and his wife Abby purchased the property, with its thousand-acre private estate spreading to Jordan Pond. Rockefeller oversaw expansion of the home itself from 65 to 100 rooms in 1914. The house was decorated with Oriental artwork and furniture, while the property featured extensive gardens including Chinese sculptures, the Playhouse (a Gothic structure concealing a gentleman’s club), the Resthouse, a boathouse, and more. Abby managed the large staff of the estate, while John served as a philanthropic force in the nearby community, helping with the creation of Acadia National Park. The family visited the Eyrie less frequently with the advent of World War II. The house was razed in the 1960s, though the estate remained under ownership of the Rockefeller family.

The caption reads, "'The Eyrie', Summer Home of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Seal Harbor, Maine."

The Tichnor Brothers printing company published this type of postcard circa 1938.

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