Historical Film and Video
Steve Signell's talk at the Historical Society of Greenfield, MA
A screen capture and audio recording of Steve Signell's invited talk in Greenfield, MA, Sept 15, 2023.Elsa Anders' Tribute to Heron Island
5th Generation Islander, Sunrise Cottage
From Elsa's Facebook post:There is something that can tie generations together, no matter how many decades have passed, and that is the gift of experience. My goal in creating this was to capture the island in a way that shows us how similar we are to the islanders who walked the same trails over a century ago. I chose to work with clips that could be seen as parallels: a sunset off the west shore, a trek through the mossy paths of the forest, giddy afternoons on the front porches of cottages, all filmed decades apart. The footage used in this short film is a hodgepodge from multiple different sources. The modern-day scenes are a collection contributed by myself and peers my age. The significantly older film is from the Northeast Historic Film Collection, transferred from 9.5mm Kodak film from the early 1920s and 30s. The audio clips are from interviews conducted in 1979 by Chuck Stevenson with Harriet Damon and Sarah Elley. The music is Hearing by Sleeping at Last.
Short Film of the North Shore, circa 1930
From the Karl Van Dyke Sr. Collection
John Van Dyke found this short film in a drawer and donated it to Northeast Historic Film, a non-profit film preservation organization. It shows Frank Jordan on the store porch, some children swimming, Raymond Dodge (owner of Sprucetops) pulling a wagon, some teens on the wharf and a boatride from Christmas Cove. The Van Dykes began summering on the island in the late 20s, and this itereation of the wharf was destroyed in a storm in 1933, so this film must have been taken sometime around 1930.1930 Film of a Men's Day trip to Heron Island.
Arthur Libby Race was the owner of the Madockawando Lodge from 1906-1910, and returned with a group of friends in 1930 to wander the island and enjoy a cookout on the North Shore, in front of Alpha cottage. For more context and details about Mr. Race, check out this forum post.Viewing Notes: 'Heron Island.' Dock. Sign, "Heron Island," on roof of small shingled shed. Around ten men, all in hats and jackets on dock. Group walking to shingled casino [view of painted sign; casino is name for social hall] and peering in windows. Wooded paths. Strolling on island (rainy day). Waves. Man riding in cart. Group marches along wooded path. Discovers snake. Preparing for clambake. Cooking, eating, drinking. Twirling hats on and other pastimes, posing for camera. Draping seaweed on one man's bare buttocks. Men descending dock ladder with difficulty. Back to mainland on launch. End. Film date code for Heron Island, 1930
Film of Centennial Activities, North Shore, 1986
Contributed by Leanne and Warren Harkness
Film of events on the North Shore celebrating 100 years of Heron Island (1886-1986). Events include Wheelbarrow parade, reading of Heron History by russ Alexander, comments by Floyd Humphries, benediction by Chris Barker, flotilla. Presided over by 'Grand Marshall' Jim Barker, Sr. and his 'senility' cane. Narrated and filmed by Leanne Harkness.1932 Christmas Cove, South Bristol, Maine
A 1932 tour of Christmas Cove, Maine by boat. Highlights include the Holly Inn, Christmas Cove Improvement Assoc. Casino, Russell House, the "Tripod", Shipley Point, Thread of Life. Brief views of Inner Heron, Thrumcap, Thread of Life, etc.1932 South Bristol Handline Fishing Trip
A group of summer residents from Christmas Cove try their luck at handline fishing off the south end of Rutherfords Island. Film highlights include local handline fishermen as well as herring carrier, dory boats and seine nets.
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