You are here

Home » Friends Of Acadia Working To Preserve Acadia National Park's Carriage Road Bridges

Friends Of Acadia Working To Preserve Acadia National Park's Carriage Road Bridges

Share

Published Date

August 19, 2019

Friends of Acadia is seeking donations to help maintain the historic bridges found along the carriage roads that wind through Acadia National Park's interior/Rebecca Latson photo

More than a century ago, John D. Rockefeller Jr. hired stone masons to build a series of 17 iconic bridges along the carriage roads that lead visitors into the woodsy core of Acadia National Park. Not surprisingly, over those years the bridges have required regular maintenance and, also not surprisingly, the park staff has struggled to stay on top of that needed work.

Beginning in 1917 with the Cobblestone Bridge, local craftsmen built the bridges using locally-sourced materials. Special features include gothic arches, textured masonry surfaces, and protruding scupper drains. While they are first and foremost functional elements that allow park users to safely pass through the terrain, their aesthetic character is timeless. They have become an iconic and inspirational part of Acadia's natural and cultural landscape.

Like any structures exposed to the elements, the bridges must be maintained for safety and aesthetics. The restoration work entails re-pointing, re-bedding, replacing granite where stones and masonry have been dislodged, repairing concrete in the arches where spalling has occurred, and cleaning of efflorescence (calcium build up on the stones as lime is leached out of the mortar by rain water).

Acadia is several years behind in its effort to restore the carriage road bridges. While Friends of Acadia's Carriage Road Endowment provides grants for maintenance and improvement of the road surface, there is no dedicated fund. Money donated through Friends of Acadia will be dedicated to the restoration of the bridges. This project is a perfect opportunity to provide support to ensure these cultural treasures are preserved.

During the friends group's annual benefit earlier this month, donors contributed more than $300,000 to help restore Acadia's Carriage Road Bridges. And, you can join them, Every dollar raised will go directly to the restoration and preservation of these iconic structures.

Related Stories:

Acadia National Park Extending Reservation Periods For Campgrounds
Bar Harbor Voters Back Strict Limits On Cruise Ship Crowds

Stories about:

Story Categories:

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.