Portland Celebrates Legacy of Baxter Family

Community celebrates Governor Baxter Day Wilderness Legacy’s Golden Anniversary

WHAT: Later this month, the City of Portland along with the Friends of Baxter State Park, Maine Historical Society, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Baxter Family Mansion and Museum, Maine Department of Conservation, the Friends of Evergreen Cemetery, Baxter State Park, and the Friends of the Eastern Promenade will host a series of events in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Percival P. Baxter’s final gift of land for the Baxter State Park. On August 6, 1962, former Governor Baxter acquired the twenty-eighth and final parcel of land that would constitute, at the time of his death in 1969, the 201,018 acre Baxter State Park. This acquisition represented the fulfillment of an unstated goal of gifting to the State of Maine a wilderness park in excess of 200,000 acres.

Beyond honoring this gift to the state, the Baxter family legacy will be celebrated locally at the Barrows Park Sundial located at the intersection of Baxter Boulevard, a project of Mayor James Phinney, and Vannah Avenue. The park was dedicated in 1923 in honor of Mayor Baxter, the father of the city’s parks program and Governor Percival Baxter. The space is the focus of an upcoming renovation project by the city during which the sundial and park will be restored to its original design with new lighting and masonry work planned. Local historian Herb Adams will lead a talk on Mayor James Phinney Baxter at the park early in the morning, 6:00 AM, on Governor Baxter Day.

Later in the day, Earle Shettleworth will lead a tour of the Baxter family plot at the city’s Evergreen Cemetery where both Mayor Baxter and Governor Baxter were laid to rest.

Following the walk at Evergreen, at 3:15 PM, city arborist Jeff Tarling and Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissell will lead a walk through Mayor Baxter Woods. Once the grand estate of Congressman Francis Ormond Smith, Mayor James Phinney Baxter purchased the land in 1882. Following his death, his son, Governor Percival Baxter, opened the woods to the public for the purposes of passive recreation and the land soon became known as the Baxter Bird Sanctuary. The community embraced the property and became its caretaker. Nature trails were developed and maintained by the Cumberland County Audubon Society, the Longfellow Garden Club and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops. In April 1946, Governor Baxter presented the 29.5 acre woods to the People of Portland as a municipal forest to be kept in its natural state. Today, the Deering Center woods are used as an outdoor classroom for Lincoln Middle School and Lonfellow Elementary School.

Before the walk starts, a new sign will be installed with the parks proper moniker Mayor Baxter Woods.  The new sign replaces an earlier one installed in the 1990’s with the abbreviated title Baxter Woods. Governor Baxter felt strongly that the title of the park be the Mayor Baxter Woods in a tribute to his father and his contributions to the city and the new sign will more accurately reflects his wishes. The sign was developed in collaboration with the Baxter State Park and uses the same font and style as the signs found at the state park.

Other events are schedule throughout the day. For more information, visit http://www.friendsofbaxter.org/news/index.php.

Schedule for Governor Baxter Day Wilderness Legacy’s Golden Anniversary

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

6:00 AM

Visit Barrows Sundial for talk on James Phinney Baxter by Herb Adams, Park at Baxter Boulevard and Vannah Avenue

10:00 AM - Noon

Hike of Mackworth Island Wildlife Sanctuary and visit Baxter School for the Deaf, Baxter Mansion, and Museum. Admission: $2 payable on site.

Noon - 1:30PM

Picnic at Mackworth Island with Geologist Walter Anderson. Bring your own lunch.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Visit to Baxter family plot at Evergreen Cemetery with Maine State Historian Earle Shettleworth.

3:15 PM

Dedication of Sign and Walk in Baxter Woods with Portaln Parks and Forest Manager Jeff Tarling and BSP Director Jensen Bissell.

3:30 PM -5:00 PM

Tour of Frederic Church exhibit with docent at Portland Museum of Art. Admission: $10 (Museum Members free), reservation required 2 weeks in advance.

5:00 PM -8:00 PM

Attend Special Reception and Anniversary Program at Maine Historical Society.
Admission: $25, reservations required – 80-person limit.