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Visitor Activities |
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Visitor Activities |
| "Poland Spring offers more amusement and entertainment free of
charge, for young and old, than any resort in America. While we frequently hear the
question, 'What does one do at Poland Spring?' we never hear it from the guest
after his arrival; so, we assume, it answers itself." (Poland Spring House, 1912) |
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"The secret of making a
great hotel like this popular, is to provide them with entertainment, especially something
pleasant to do. The patrons of this hotel are given the best that money, care, and skill
can provide. Perfect ventilation, sanitary drainage, expert plumbing, provocation to
healthy exercise, boating, bowling, lawn tennis, music, dancing, a well-selected library,
and, best of all, the marvelous water of the spring free to all, and freely sent into
every room in the house." Leisure "This was leisure in the genteel tradition, unhurried strolls along "Outside there were 15,000 square feet of covered verandas, more than 1,000 acres of groomed grounds, shaded walks, rockeries, ferneries, floral designs, riding paths, and three lakes. Guests could contemplate a rustic view of forest and fields extending to the White Mountains in the west. A plaque on the hotel's porch pointed out Mount Washington, easily visible on a clear day." (Down East Magazine, 1992) "Each day at Poland Spring has its own
peculiar charm, and to this ...list of things one does at Poland Spring may be added the
enjoyment afforded by the beautiful park and countryside, rich in flora; the many
well-laid walks and woodland paths, the pine grove facing the sunset and overlooking the
distant White Mountains." |
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Art & Literature "Another feature of limited pleasure to Poland Spring guests is the very extensive library and art exhibit in the Maine State Building. This library contains over six thousand volumes of standard, modern, classical, and reference works in addition to which a complete collection of all the best class of current periodicals are on file. The art collection is very extensive -- representative of the leading American artists." (Pamphlet, Mansion House, ca. 1913) |
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Music & Dancing "The music furnished at Poland is a source of
genuine delight to the lovers of this divine art. As usual, it will be furnished by
Kuntz's Orchestral Club, composed of the leading members of Boston's famous Symphony
Orchestra. A great number of entertainers of the highest order of excellence also
appears from time to time during the season." "During the summer season, from June 1st
to October 15th, when the "Frequent and very delightful dances at the Poland Spring House give a piquancy to the life of this resort. They are enjoyed by old and young alike, by on-looker and participant, by visitor at the Mansion House as well as those at the larger hotel. No small part of the enjoyment derived from dancing at the Poland Spring House is due to the excellence of the August Kuntz Orchestra, which furnishes the music." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 15, 1916) |
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Balls & Fetes "Saturday evenings there was usually a ball, with Mr. Elkins from
Philadelphia often leading the cotillion. Music began to change about 1912, and
requests came for more modern music. That was when the Pavilion was built in the
grove beyond the tennis court. An orchestra was hired, and the younger guests could
have their modern music and dancing there."
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Aquatic Sports "Beyond, to the westward, is a chain of three lakes, the Range Lakes, about a mile distant. These lakes are well stocked with bass, and afford excellent sport. A boathouse, provided with a variety of small craft, and a good sand beach for those enjoying fresh-water bathing, furnish further opportunity for aquatic sports." (Pamphlet, Mansion House, ca. 1913) "Remarkable Lake Fishing - One feature of Poland Spring life which has not been emphasized half enough, is the excellent black bass fishing in the three lakes which curve about the base of Ricker Hill. Many hotel resorts in the state of Maine that lay great stress upon this sport, cannot boast of anything like the success which attends the effort of Poland Spring anglers. Mr. Geo. W. Elkins, of Elkins Park, and Mr. S. B. Stinson, opened the season on June 15th with a catch of ten bass weighing 14 pounds. During the spring before the season for bass opened, more than two hundred lake trout were taken from the lakes by Poland fishermen. Among the most successful anglers was Miss Marion Ricker of the Mansion House." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 5, 1914) |
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Shopping "In the Sales Room - Mr. Frank B. Jillson, well known among Poland Spring visitors, and Mr. Carl A. Schenk of New York, will be in charge of a noteworthy display of jewels in the exhibition room of the Poland Spring House, Jul 17-18, representing Pickslay & Company." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 15, 1916) "The Old Town Indians...came each
summer, pitching their tents just beyond the stable...The Indians lived in the rear tents,
using the front ones to display and sell their lovely sweet grass baskets, blankets, and
beaded moccasins." "The [Shaker] Sisters came twice
a week to the Poland Spring House, and once weekly to the mansion House. Their
ginger, candied orange peel, as well as their lovely baskets, were quickly bought by the
guests, and those lady guests who came each year generally bought a Shaker cape as an
evening wrap."
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Theater & Moving Pictures
"Amusements Easily Accessible to Visitors at Poland Spring - The Empire Theatre on Oak Street appeals to theatre-goers because the management always offers the best photo-plays on the market and at this season of the year the house is always cool and restful. Three splendid programs will be presented by the management for the week of July 17, when such brilliant stars as Robert Warwick, DeWolf Hopper, Mary McLaren, Frank Keenan and Enid Markey will be seen in some of the greatest screen productions of the year." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 15, 1916) "MOVING PICTURES. ANNOUNCEMENT. |
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Tennis, Bowling & Billiards
"Poland Spring may boast of some of the finest tennis courts in the country. These are now in constant use. One or more tennis tournaments are a part of each season's program and good sport is in prospect for the devotees of this popular game." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 5, 1914) "The tennis facilities at Poland Spring
have kept pace with the increasing popularity of the game; the three clay courts are the
best that can be built, and are maintained in first-class condition." "In a separate building, are an extensive bowling alley and billiards hall." (History of Poland, H.A. & G.W. Poole, 1890, p 34) "The game of bagatelle is played all
season for handsome prizes" |
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(Pamphlet, Poland Spring House, 1914) |
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 Putting Green at Poland Spring (postcard, postmarked Lewiston, ME, Sept 1, 1911)
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Golf "For outdoor sports, golf is the universal game. Our links are...reputed to be among the best in the country, and have the added attraction of being at the very doors of the hotel." (Poland Spring House, 1912) "Golf at Poland is an important feature
of entertainment largely due to the high standard of the Links, which is said to be one of
the best in the East. The use of the Links is gratuitous to all guests, and a competent
instructor, caddies, etc., will always be found in attendance." "...on no course can it be said that the wonders of golf are worked in purer air, more inspiring vision, or under pleasanter influences than on the hillside links at this resort." "Mr. H. M. Forrest, well-known amateur golfer of Lakewood, N.J., spent a few days on the Poland Spring links early in the season. Other prominent golfers seen on the course in June were Mr. and Mrs. Gifford LeClear of Boston, W.A. Sandford, J. G. Day, and Tristram C. Colket, 2nd of Philadelphia." (The Hill-Top Magazine, July 15, 1916) "In the Spring of 1916 spacious and
ideal golf rooms were added to the Poland Spring House. Finished in red tile,
fireproof, with reading and lounging rooms, lockers, shower baths, and well-equipped stock
and repair room, the comfort and convenience of the golfer is fully provided for."
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 Golf Card Poland Spring Golf Club ca. 1920 |
 "In correct form" Golf at Poland Spring (Pamphlet, Poland Spring House, 1911) |
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Horseback Riding "Riding is s feature that has had much attention, and an excellent
string of saddle horses, and a riding master from the staff of the Durland Academy of New
York, are available during the season." "In the Saddle - The arrival of the
riding master, Mr. Caspar Weyher, from New York, with a string of horses from Durland's
riding academy, inaugurates the season for equestrians at Poland Spring. For some weeks,
however, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Zeller of New York, who are staying at the Poland Spring House,
have been in the saddle almost daily. The pleasant roads and by-ways in the vicinity of
Ricker Hill, offer the greatest encouragement to those who enjoy the morning gallop on a
spirited horse, and the usual number of enthusiasts are sure to be in the saddle
soon." |
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at Poland Spring (Winter Season Poland Spring, 1920)
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Winter ActivitiesDuring the winter
season, the Poland Spring House closed its doors. But the older
and more intimate Mansion House remained
open to visitors year round. Later the Riccar
Inn would also be open in winter providing between the two buildings accommodations
for two hundred and fifty guests. Meals were served in the Mansion House, and a
sleigh was provided to transport guests between the two buildings.
"Winter is the season of
ringing sport and jollity in Maine, of invigorating cold without the house and traditional
good cheer within. Rousing wood fires in the chimney corners of Mansion House and Riccar
Inn, and throngs of frolicking guests enjoying themselves on skating rink, toboggan-slide,
or frozen lake, these are but indexes of the manner in which Poland Spring greets the long
winter season. Golf gives way to hockey; motoring to the horse-drawn sleigh and its
tuneful bells; skiing, snowshoeing, coasting, and no end of indoor pleasure, substitute
themselves for the pastimes of summer. Winter is not the dull season -- rather, it
is the season of greatest sport, of freest enjoyment, in the land of health and vigor
which is Maine." |
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Brian Harris 24-April-2004 |
