The farm in Nobleboro famously known to have been home to literary legends Henry Beston and Elizabeth Coatsworth is receiving long awaited recognition as a National Literary Landmark. A celebration to mark this historical occasion will take place at Chimney Farm in Nobleboro on June 21, from 1-3 p.m.
The Outermost House, the seashore shanty in Cape Cod which inspired naturalist writer Henry Beston to pen his novel of the same name was dedicated a National Literary Landmark in 1964. The couple moved to Chimney Farm overlooking Damariscotta Lake in 1931 and spent the autumn of their lives writing and raising their two children. Copies of their literary works will be available at the dedication ceremony and celebration.
The Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association is hosting the outdoor event with assistance from other groups such as the Nobleboro Historical Society to also celebrate the renovation of the Beston/Coastworth writers’ cottage, which is located in a field behind the farmhouse overlooking Damariscotta Lake.
Event organizers said the couple’s two daughters will not be in attendance, but special guest speakers will entertain participants with stories of the writers and poetry readings. Kate Barnes, Maine’s first Poet Laureate and daughter of Beston and Coatsworth, told organizers though she will not attend, she will be there in spirit.
Daniel Payne, as Henry Beston’s biographer, will talk about his work on a novel in progress and give a brief presentation about the life of Henry Beston. Payne is an associate professor of English at the Oneonta campus in the State University of New York.
Don Wilding, author of Henry Beston’s Cape Cod and executive director of the Henry Beston Society in South Dennis, Mass., will also speak.
The Society has been posting information about the event on their Great Beach blog (forums.capecodonline.com/henrybeston). Their website has an abundance of information on Beston and Coatsworth (www.henrybeston.org).
Gary Lawless, poet and caretaker of the farm will read from the works of Elizabeth Coatsworth, poetry and will talk about the farm. Lawless and his wife, Beth Leonard, own Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick.
Organizers anticipate other people who knew the family personally will bring their memories back to life for those in attendance. Others who knew the couple will be invited to share their memories of life on the farm and of Beston and Coatsworth during an open mic session.
There will be a photo display of their work on display in the writer’s cottage, which needs just a coat of paint, but looks close to the original. Volunteers completed most of the work last fall under the guidance of master craftsman Jim Durby of Waldoboro.
People will be able to imagine what it might have been like for the famous writers as they looked out over the field, drawing inspiration from the natural world which surrounded them.
There will be several books available as well as simple refreshments under a tent out in the field beside the farmhouse. The farm is located at 617 East Neck Rd. in Nobleboro. The East Neck Rd. is located just south of The Village Store on Center St. For more information, contact Alice Phillips at: 549-3836 or dlwastaff@roadrunner.com.
