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You will note that the title of this evening’s program is just plain History of Kineowatha. No "Camp," no "Park" -- Kineowatha only. Therefore, the title allows us full scope in covering the subject.

Even though all camp activity at the location off High Street and on the shores of Wilson Lake has taken place this side of the year 1900, there is little specific knowledge of just when the earlier camps were built or when ownership changed hands. Careful examination of a map of Wilton that accompanied the Wilton Register of 1910 shows no street as such leading off High Street, only a dotted line for a short distance indicating perhaps a private road.

On display here this evening are a dozen post cards which some of you may have seen at the Farm and Home Museum. They have captions such as Blue Mountain Camps and, of course, after 1914, Kineowatha Camps. There is a reference on the display card (but not on any of the post cards) to Bacheller Music Camp but no confirmation as to duration, except "also a music camp for a short time." Also borrowed from the museum for this evening is a banner from the girls camp.

In addition to the items above we have a recent gift to the Society from Corydon Young, an album with the very distinct cover title: Kineowatha Camp. It is full of excellent photographs that present a broad range of camp activity and its participants -- but, alas! no captions of any kind. The album was a memento to Corydon’s father, Ralph, who had been an employee.

Last week, I received a box containing four albums, on loan from Mrs. F.R. Fuller, of Orono. Her husband had been in business in Wilton. His father was Dr. F.B. Fuller. Two albums have no reference to Kineowatha or Wilton except for a couple of photos of Wilson Lake from Bump’s cottage. There are captions galore in album three, such as "The wonderful post office an (sic) town hall of Wilton" beneath a photo of the W.E. Sawyer & Co. store which housed the town hall and upstairs a community meeting place. There is also an unusually artistic photo of Wilton Academy taken before the intrusion of utility wires. (There is an enlargement on display.) The fourth and largest album has several group shots apparently of counselors in costumes, fancy dresses, as well as everyday clothes. A very few pictures show the camp girls dressed in camp middy blouses and bloomers as they ply the paddles of their war canoes. Mrs. Fuller was doubtful of any assistance to us in the albums, but she will be pleased when notified that our project really benefited from her kindness.

Most helpful of all sources of information has been Lee MacDonald, who had, from time to time, answered questions pertaining to Camp Kineowatha such as who might have built the tennis courts. Incidentally, it turned out that on that occasion her father, J. Everett Hiscock, had helped to build two of the four courts. But the culmination of our contacts with Lee was an evening last week when Betty and I enjoyed a most informative two hors. You who know Lee can understand what a grand experience it is to have conversation with her, especially on any subject touching upon her beloved home town.

Here is the gist of what she told about Kineowatha. In its beginnings as a girls camp starts with Elisabeth Bass and a Mr. McCall, who jointly purchased what had been for a time a music camp. The year was 1914, at which time her name appears as a member of the faculty of Wilton Academy where she served as director of girls physical education. Soon after the purchase, a suitable name had to be selected. Mr. McCall owned a camp for boys near Harrison, Maine, known as Camp Kineo. Voila! the solution: take a good Indian name made memorable in a poem by Longfellow, to wit, HIAWATHA, lop off the beginning, add the balance to Kineo and lo! you have a good Indian-sounding KINEOWATHA.

There is no record at hand as to how Bess, as she was affectionately known by a host of people far and near, became sole proprietor. I have heard only one possible suggestion, that she was not interested in changing her name to McCall. Hence his departure from the scene. (Remember: this is only hearsay. The truth may never be known.) A sister, Annie, appears early as an assistant whose chief duties were those dealing with supplies, food, and supervision of the kitchen. People locally thought of them as co-owners.

The center of camp activity was the main bungalow, known as the Main BUNG, which served as a theater, a post office, a store, and central meeting hall. It had been a most prominent structure under previous ownerships, with its commanding view of Wilton Lake and the mountains beyond. Soon, additional structures appeared, known as BUNGALETS. These were small cabins located close to the beach and served as living quarters for the older girls and councilors.

Lee has vivid memories of the big day when her parents hitched up horse and buggy, loaded her steamer trunk, and took her up High Street to the campground. Here she met the many girls who had come by train (special, mind you) from New York. It soon became Bess’s duty during the camp’s off season to live in New York City, where she spent much of her time interviewing prospects for the coming seasons. Lee recalls one girl, a native of France, who was so well cared for by her wealthy parents that she had to learn how to dress herself. But Lee affirms that the girl became a good camper and even acquired a nickname, "Beeps." It was interesting to learn that there were two age levels. A contingent of little girls stayed pretty much by themselves in a cottage located near enough, however, to share meals with the older ones.

The camp provided a wide variety of activities. A favorite of many was horseback riding. Lee remembers one of the riding instructors as being an army officer who wore military guard at times. Like some of you, I can remember seeing groups of riders along Maine, Depot, and other streets, a fairly common sight in the 20s, 30s and 40s. There were classes in basketry, archery, and jewelry-making, to name a few. There was a ballet under a New York instructor. Canoeing was very popular. WAR CANOES appear in more than one picture. (Perhaps Lee could tell us why the term "war" was given to them.)

The girls and staff were accorded excellent health care, with a camp infirmary and a fine corps of nurses. Betty recalls that her mother received an urgent call from Bess: would Florence be willing to accompany a sick child to New York, an unusual request that she was willing to accede to.

Many of the girls had special tutors. For example, Betty’s cousin, Florence Bogardus Anderson, served as a tutor in French. In this way many a girl could return home better prepared to meet new school requirements as well as enjoying camp life in a beautiful Maine lake setting. Incidentally, Lee’s sister, Mabelle, served as councilor.

In summary, we might say that Kineowatha Camp provided a well-rounded program for girls from many states and some foreign countries. Toward the end of the era as a girls camp, an increasing number came from Porto (sic) Rico and Venezuela.

As for Elisabeth Bass, herself, a glowing tribute comes from Lee. She recalls that each evening Bess would give a brief but highly inspirational talk. This became one of the highlights n the shaping of character among not only the girls but also older staff members as well. We living at a distance were not aware of this, but some of us here can recall "taps," played each evening at nine.

The general public was not aware that Kineowatha led a double existence. After the girls had departed, the camp had a group of physical education students who were connected with Tufts college. They held forth for about two weeks. Perhaps Lee could add a bit more about them.

To bring us up to date, as well as to Kineowatha Park as a new name, we will delve into two Wilton town reports. In the 1974 issue, there appears a reference to the effect that the Wilton Youth Activities Group and the Wilton Recreation Committee combined to form a Parks and Recreation Commission under state guidelines.

Finally, in 1975, on June 21, Kineowatha Park opened its gates. The following is a detailed account.

There ends the transcript of Mr. Karkos’ talk.
The "detailed account" is not included in the long-range plan for Kineowatha Park.

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This page was last updated on December 23, 2005.