Acquired this beautiful, lush, mauve-colored antique chair from the recent Lakewood Theater fundraiser, and am in love. (I have a thing for chairs)
This is a real piece of theater history! I wonder what productions it graced the stage in? Who sat in it?
It's been suggested that we get official, so I've been doing lots and lots of reading and research, looking at how others have accomplished similar goals without going broke when they are first getting started! Though we relate to statements in both categories, it looks like eventually if we do any paperwork, we will do the paperwork to operate as a not-for-profit. But for now, until others find their way to us and get involved, we are funding this ourselves. So please see my little "peddler links" in the righthand sidebar if you want to contribute even a tiny amount by making a related purchase. And the tea room at the Sugar Tree does accept tips!
In case you are wondering what the differences are between the two, there are four main bullet points:
Because it is right upon the brook, we are presently calling it "the Hayden Brook camp" but eventually maybe we'll find it another name.
At number 18 Olive, this camp sits across from the beautiful land at the Perkins House and is backed along Hayden Brook. So far we have noticed a very abundant supply of blueberries growing along the shed, and, of course, that the neighbor's incredible flowers' fragrance carries right in the door!
This will be another "artist in residence" cottage.
Unlike the Tower House, which we hope will be a true community living and work space, the Perkins House will be for an artist in residence. Beginning next year, and for each year thereafter, we will be looking for an artist (and thier family) to apply to spend an entire summer season, and in exchange for housing we will ask that they share thier craft, whatever it might be, with the community by means of offering lessons, creating an installment, or perhaps giving performances.
This house is another piece of Lakewood Theater history. Charles F. Perkins was a very renowned and longtime (from 1912-1955) scenic designer at Lakewood. His son, James, was an actor in several productions from 1932 - 1940. We purchased the house from James' daughter Barbara.
It will be decorated in the spirit of these eras and we hope to transport the residents of it back to a simpler time...you'll find no microwave or WiFi service here!
It was a long winter, and springtime goes towards summer, but the world around us is still moving slowly, finding it's way.
At this time walls are being painted, flowers planted, tea cups and furniture are being organized at the Sugar Tree Cottage. With many variables to consider in deciding in what capacity we be will open, if at all, we are quite sure there will be no artist openings or live music events, and we are also not scheduling any classes or tea tastings, but may later offer occasional "porch front" pick up of pre-packaged teas and other items.
We find ourselves continuing to also paint and plan in the Tower House, and Swampy, and we are very proud to say that a garden has now been planted and is growing well (thanks to helpful volunteers) at the Tower House, and two raised beds have gone in elsewhere on Olive Street!
Just waiting for the bees to come. Welcome my little friends!
Sharing some more writing about Olive Hayden. Again, just like the newspaper article of her passing, the language is blunt and yet very beautiful at the same time.
...
From: HAYDEN GENEALOGY Notes from "Haydens in England" Braintree Town Records 1640-1793 RECORDS OF WILLIAM HAYDEN, Madison Pond, Maine. Inter-marrying Families. Everything that would interest a "Hayden" By MINA E. POMEROY, Saint Paul Preas of R. J. Maybell Stationery Co. 1915
Eighth Generation. Olive Hayden born Aug. 17, 1849, on her Grandfather's old farm, on the shores of the beautiful Hayden Lake. There is nothing left of the old house but the cellar. She is now living on her father's old farm. She is one of those dear New England women we love to hear about. A woman who makes the world better for having lived in it. A friend to the rich and poor alike. When hsr Father's eyesight failed, she took the Post Office and was Postmistress for over ten years. She is now corres- pondent far two leading Newspapers in Somerset County. Her nephew Fred Hayden is living with her and carries on the farm.
Enoch Hayden. The story as told by Olive Hayden. When Daniel Hayden moved his family from Gray to Madison, it was no easy matter to find a place to stay at night. At last they found a place where they could be taken in for the night. As he unloaded his little family he discovered Enoch was missing. Consternation reigned. A little boy was out somewheres on the road in the cold and snow and it was dark. After going back two miles they discovered a light in the window of a log farm house. The house was some distance from the road. Here they found the boy. Little Enoch had gone to sleep and rolled off the sled He woke up and found he was alone. He saw the light and went to the house. They took him in and told him his father would be back soon for him. They fed him and put him in the little trundle bed with their children, and he was soon fast asleep. He was six years old.
[for further reference,also from same publication]
RICHARD HAYDEN, son of Clement and Hannah Hogin Hayden, born Nov. 7th,·1741, at Braintree, Mass. He died in 1829 at Madison Centre, on Hayden Lake, Maine. He married Mary in Braintree and moved to Gray, Me. with his father Clement, about 1758. In 1802 he and Mary moved with their son Jedediah to Madison Centre where they both died. .Mary's age 80 years. They are both buried in the old cemetery on the road leading from Skowhegan to East Madison. Children: Elisha, Jonathan, Richard, David, Clement, Jedediah,· Enoch, Samuel, Daniel, Mary and Sally. In 1818 his front room was used for a school. One of his Soldier 8tories was: His Capt. used to take him and two tall fellows for scouting duties. Re was short and stout built. In the winter when the snow was deep, he used to follow the tall men and had to hop to land in their tracks.
As the State of Maine celebrates 200 years of being a state, here is a "Bicentennial Moment" featuring the theater from the Maine Department of the Secretary of State.
