Summer break! Enjoy this post from 2 years ago. Mr. Rockefeller is now 98!
This past Columbus Day weekend, I traveled to Skylands, my home in Seal Harbor, Maine. You may recall that David Rockefeller is a friend and neighbor and we share many of the same interests, including driving horse-drawn carriages. It was a beautiful weekend and Mr. Rockefeller invited me to join him for a carriage ride through lovely Acadia National Park. This is really quite an honor considering that this network of forty-five miles of gravel and crushed rock carriage roads were built as a gift by David’s father, John D. Rockefeller Jr. from 1913 to 1940. I think you’ll see from these photos, just how much thought and planning went into the design and construction of these beautiful roads, featuring both expansive vistas and close-up studies of the landscape.
At 96-years of age, David Rockefeller, still loves to ride in his horse-drawn carriages along the graceful roads designed by his father and grandfather, both here in Acadia and also at his family’s estate in Pocantico Hills, New York.
And native mosses
And sweet fern
It’s said that John D. encouraged the stone cutters to be less than perfect in their cutting so that the rustic look would not be lost.
Rockefeller had a very keen eye and he insisted that these roads be aligned to follow the natural contours of the landscape.
Here I am sitting alongside David Rockefeller, enjoying an exhilarating carriage ride through Acadia National Park. Sem Groenewoud, David Rockefeller’s carriage driver, sitting to his right, along with Colin & Nancy Campbell.
He hired experts to design the bridges and engineer the roads and he knew all the laborers by name.
Looking down at the carriage spring and wheel – You can see the detail of a fine paint job. Every carriage has its own unique design.
Another look at this built-to-last construction
The surface is known as broken-stone, in this case broken pink granite – another example of blending in with nature.
Rockefeller was inspired by his father, John D. Rockefeller Sr., the founder of Standard Oil, who built similar roads on his Ohio and New York estates.
The large blocks of granite seen here lining the road serve as guardrails. These roughly cut and irregularly spaced coping stones have been affectionately called ‘Rockefeller’s teeth.’
You can see why these tranquil carriage roads are so popular for those visiting Acadia National Park.
Spans a gurgling brook.
Here is another great bridge, known as Cliff Side Bridge, constructed in 1932, which…
Unfortunately, this area has been damaged by foot traffic and the National Park Service is asking people to remain on paths and roads so that the damage may be repaired.
Matching cedar signposts, with yellow enamel lettering, are found at intersections to direct carriage drivers. Numbers that match maps and guidebooks are attached to the signposts and help carriage road users find their way.
At the end of the ride, we left the park and entered Rockefeller private property. Notice how this less-traveled road has grass growing on it?
A nice shot of Sem Groenewoud and one of Rockefeller’s aristocratic Morgans
Leaving the park on our way back to Seal Harbor, we passed under another majestic stone bridge.
Brian Lindquist, who works for David Rockefeller is enormously knowledgeable about the Rockefeller family history in the Acadia region – and Patrick, son of Sem Groenewoud, steadies the horses – Patrick is a superb horseman.
A beautiful view of Long Pond
This was taken as we left the Rockefeller stable and entered the park at the beginning of the ride.
Whenever possible, David Rockefeller likes to do his own driving.
The network of forty-five miles of gravel and crushed rock carriage roads of Acadia are also enjoyed by cyclists.
Seventeen stone-faced bridges, each with its own unique design, were built to span streams, waterfall, roads, and cliffsides.
Roadsides were planted with native vegetation, such as these low-growing wild Maine blueberries.
These rustic carriage roads were a gift of David’s father, philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and the Rockefeller family.
Even though the bridges are constructed with steel-reinforced concrete, the use of hand hewn native granite for the facing gives the bridges a pleasing natural appearance.
John D. took part in the entire construction process, often making suggestions for exact placement of stones.
John D., a skilled horseman, himself, wanted to travel through Acadia National Park by horse and carriage on motor-free roadways.
He was also very thoughtful about the scenic views.
These roads were constructed with Maine’s wet weather in mind and they have very good drainage.
When there was a view to enjoy, a viewing area was built.
After the construction was complete, Rockefeller consulted with famed landscape architect Beatrix Farrand for planting designs to mend any building scars in the flora.
These carriage roads are approximately 16-feet wide, allowing ample room when meeting another horse-drawn carriage.
This handsome pair of draft horses was wearing white ear bonnets to keep pesky flies out their ears.
A rather serious looking hiker
This Japanese maple is certainly vibrant against the landscape.
This mass of rocks actually the result of a rock slide, which tumbled down the slope.
Island granite was quarried for roads and bridges.
A view of Long Pond and the ocean beyond
The use of such native materials helped to blend the roadways in with the natural landscape.
Rather than flattening hillsides to accommodate the roads, breast walls and retaining walls were built to save trees and to preserve the line of hillsides.
David Rockefeller expertly drove the carriage for more than an hour.
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Comments
Martha,
How are you? I’m doing fine. I decided to take a summer break as well, which is why I haven’t commented in a week. I hope all is well with you. I sure enjoyed to today’s blog, Mr. Rockefeller is almost 100 WOW! And I love the different banner’s you’ve put up on the blog and I have my favorites, but you look good in all of them. I sure hope all is well with Laura. Take care.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 29th, 2013 at 2:27 am
Halow Dear Martha,
Acadia National Park looks as a paradise,i enjoyed the ride and all photos but number 4 is the best for me;what wonderful colors blue water with green herbes under light sun...
Posted by: nadjete | July 29th, 2013 at 5:22 am
Acadia National Park is indeed a treasure. Have loved story of Evengeline, long before I fell for a Louisiana Man and the story of 'Cajun' inspires all. Here in Dakota, Black Hills has some wonderful CCC stonework and, of course, Mountains carved into likeness of Crazy Horse and 4 presidents are wonders.
Posted by: ann | July 29th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Hi Martha, Thanks again for sharing another blog and this one was from two years ago and is so wonderful to see again! I often go back and reread your blogs and this one was magnificent with your friend David Rockefeller who has such a beautiful carriage ride through Acadia National Park! That was a beautiful ride with such great looking weather! All of these photos are so terrific to see again and they remind me of traveling through the Cascade Mountains and seeing Mt Rainier and special parks near Mt Rainier and Snoqualmie Pass with an area for skiing in the winter! You and David look so happy in these photos with that great carriage and those handsome horses! I love those designs and constructions along the roads! Now that David is 96, is he still able to travel around Acadia National Park?! I'm sure you will be going up to Skylands again this coming weekend to enjoy your birthday on Saturday and hope you have a great time! Hope all is well today and stay cool! Off to see The Daily Wag about "What We Stumped Upon in East Hampton!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 29th, 2013 at 9:03 am
Hello Martha,
What a wonderful ride! Acadia National Park is really lovely. The bridges and the design of the construction are very beautiful too.
Thank you
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | July 29th, 2013 at 9:26 am
What a magnificent place - and what a gift those roads are. Such a legacy. I definitely plan to visit one day, at least to hike.
Posted by: Angela Kelman | July 29th, 2013 at 10:17 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for sharing another blog entry. That was a beautiful ride with such great looking weather! All of these photos are so terrific to see again and they remind me of traveling through the Appalachian mountains for skiing in the winter. Adam
Nice to revisit this blog. Thanks. The area reminds me of the Cloisters and surrounding park also done by David's father. I will have to check out Forest Hills area the next time we are in Cleveland.
Kandy Maharas
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | July 29th, 2013 at 11:14 am
Hi Martha,
I’ve been catching up on some needed sleep and today I didn’t get up until 9:30. That’s so unusual for me but I guess I needed the rest. Thanks for the revisit of this blog – I can only imagine the thrill of a carriage ride with David Rockefeller on roads that his father built! Growing up, I never knew much about what the Rockefeller’s did except to make money. Now I realize that people should have done some research on them before showing jealousy over how rich they were. Any talk I heard from the grown-ups was definitely not about these carriage roads that were built from 1913 to 1930 and I think that’s a shame. As you said, John D. Rockefeller was a great thinker and planner. Like your captions indicated, he managed to keep things rustic looking with less than perfect cuts in the stones and he was especially caring in making sure any scars in the flora was mended. Not many builders care one whit about anything broken or left behind. When planting, I still find things in my yard left by the builders 34 years ago like broken glass from their soda bottles. I’ve enjoyed all of your blogs about the Rockefellers over the years and I thank you for your proper introduction of a fine family. Trish
~
P.S. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since you first blogged this entry. I had a look at the original one and it was in October when you were carving pumpkins on your show, it was Joey Kola’s birthday and Sarah Carey had just become editor in chief of Everyday Food magazine. Sob! I miss your show more than I miss sleep! I wish you were back. PBS is good though; I really enjoyed the beans episode on Cooking School and biscuits on the Baking show Saturday.
Oh what a gorgeous and fun day! Love the pictures of the beautiful trails, rock etc. What a fantastic thing to do at the age of 93. I am so impressed with this gentleman! Martha, you will be the same! Love the picture of you in the heading of this blog. You look beautiful!
Posted by: Fran | July 29th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Still beautiful.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 29th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
We just did a carriage ride yesterday! Acadia is one of our favorite spots in all the world. Last year, on a cruise we passed your home! Lovely from the water!
My husband grew up with David in Seal Harbor and he also drove a pair of Hackneys into his 90"s. We took a single up for a month some years ago and I am planning on coming up with a pair & few member of our driving club from Virginia club this fall. When I took my single (Anglo-Cleveland Bay) she had to stop when ever we had a spectacular view so that she could appreciate it too! My husband spent every summer, except during WW2 on Mt. Desert , with his parents and Grand Parents at "Wild Cliff" before it was torn down, than over near Pretty Marsh. I think it is one of the prettiest and most calming places on earth.
Posted by: Anne Watkins | August 3rd, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Thank you for giving this beautiful tour of the quiet carriage roads in Acadia NP. I appreciate the stonework and eye for nature that Rockefeller determined would last. I was also delighted to see that Morgan horses were his favorites - the first American breed and also favories of Laura and Almanzo Wilder. At our wedding my husband and I had a "slow lane" carriage ride from the church to the reception hall - and have kept the tradition wherever we visit or tour. We live the pace and the clip-clop sound of the horses' hooves. Now we will add Acadia to our "bucket" list!
Posted by: Connie in Colorado | June 2nd, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Martha,
How are you? I’m doing fine. I decided to take a summer break as well, which is why I haven’t commented in a week. I hope all is well with you. I sure enjoyed to today’s blog, Mr. Rockefeller is almost 100 WOW! And I love the different banner’s you’ve put up on the blog and I have my favorites, but you look good in all of them. I sure hope all is well with Laura. Take care.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 29th, 2013 at 2:27 am
Halow Dear Martha,
Acadia National Park looks as a paradise,i enjoyed the ride and all photos but number 4 is the best for me;what wonderful colors blue water with green herbes under light sun...
Posted by: nadjete | July 29th, 2013 at 5:22 am
Acadia National Park is indeed a treasure. Have loved story of Evengeline, long before I fell for a Louisiana Man and the story of 'Cajun' inspires all. Here in Dakota, Black Hills has some wonderful CCC stonework and, of course, Mountains carved into likeness of Crazy Horse and 4 presidents are wonders.
Posted by: ann | July 29th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Hi Martha, Thanks again for sharing another blog and this one was from two years ago and is so wonderful to see again! I often go back and reread your blogs and this one was magnificent with your friend David Rockefeller who has such a beautiful carriage ride through Acadia National Park! That was a beautiful ride with such great looking weather! All of these photos are so terrific to see again and they remind me of traveling through the Cascade Mountains and seeing Mt Rainier and special parks near Mt Rainier and Snoqualmie Pass with an area for skiing in the winter! You and David look so happy in these photos with that great carriage and those handsome horses! I love those designs and constructions along the roads! Now that David is 96, is he still able to travel around Acadia National Park?! I'm sure you will be going up to Skylands again this coming weekend to enjoy your birthday on Saturday and hope you have a great time! Hope all is well today and stay cool! Off to see The Daily Wag about "What We Stumped Upon in East Hampton!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 29th, 2013 at 9:03 am
Hello Martha,
What a wonderful ride! Acadia National Park is really lovely. The bridges and the design of the construction are very beautiful too.
Thank you
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | July 29th, 2013 at 9:26 am
What a magnificent place - and what a gift those roads are. Such a legacy. I definitely plan to visit one day, at least to hike.
Posted by: Angela Kelman | July 29th, 2013 at 10:17 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for sharing another blog entry. That was a beautiful ride with such great looking weather! All of these photos are so terrific to see again and they remind me of traveling through the Appalachian mountains for skiing in the winter. Adam
Posted by: Adam | July 29th, 2013 at 10:21 am
Nice to revisit this blog. Thanks. The area reminds me of the Cloisters and surrounding park also done by David's father. I will have to check out Forest Hills area the next time we are in Cleveland.
Kandy Maharas
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | July 29th, 2013 at 11:14 am
Hi Martha,
I’ve been catching up on some needed sleep and today I didn’t get up until 9:30. That’s so unusual for me but I guess I needed the rest. Thanks for the revisit of this blog – I can only imagine the thrill of a carriage ride with David Rockefeller on roads that his father built! Growing up, I never knew much about what the Rockefeller’s did except to make money. Now I realize that people should have done some research on them before showing jealousy over how rich they were. Any talk I heard from the grown-ups was definitely not about these carriage roads that were built from 1913 to 1930 and I think that’s a shame. As you said, John D. Rockefeller was a great thinker and planner. Like your captions indicated, he managed to keep things rustic looking with less than perfect cuts in the stones and he was especially caring in making sure any scars in the flora was mended. Not many builders care one whit about anything broken or left behind. When planting, I still find things in my yard left by the builders 34 years ago like broken glass from their soda bottles. I’ve enjoyed all of your blogs about the Rockefellers over the years and I thank you for your proper introduction of a fine family. Trish
~
P.S. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since you first blogged this entry. I had a look at the original one and it was in October when you were carving pumpkins on your show, it was Joey Kola’s birthday and Sarah Carey had just become editor in chief of Everyday Food magazine. Sob! I miss your show more than I miss sleep! I wish you were back. PBS is good though; I really enjoyed the beans episode on Cooking School and biscuits on the Baking show Saturday.
Posted by: Trish | July 29th, 2013 at 11:42 am
Oh what a gorgeous and fun day! Love the pictures of the beautiful trails, rock etc. What a fantastic thing to do at the age of 93. I am so impressed with this gentleman! Martha, you will be the same! Love the picture of you in the heading of this blog. You look beautiful!
Posted by: Fran | July 29th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Still beautiful.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 29th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
We just did a carriage ride yesterday! Acadia is one of our favorite spots in all the world. Last year, on a cruise we passed your home! Lovely from the water!
Posted by: Cathy S | July 29th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Enjoyed the scenery! Acadia is beautiful! Happy Birthday! Aug is filled with family birthdays for us and a week with my granddaughter at the beach!
Posted by: alice mcdonald | August 1st, 2013 at 8:10 pm
My husband grew up with David in Seal Harbor and he also drove a pair of Hackneys into his 90"s. We took a single up for a month some years ago and I am planning on coming up with a pair & few member of our driving club from Virginia club this fall. When I took my single (Anglo-Cleveland Bay) she had to stop when ever we had a spectacular view so that she could appreciate it too! My husband spent every summer, except during WW2 on Mt. Desert , with his parents and Grand Parents at "Wild Cliff" before it was torn down, than over near Pretty Marsh. I think it is one of the prettiest and most calming places on earth.
Posted by: Anne Watkins | August 3rd, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Thank you for giving this beautiful tour of the quiet carriage roads in Acadia NP. I appreciate the stonework and eye for nature that Rockefeller determined would last. I was also delighted to see that Morgan horses were his favorites - the first American breed and also favories of Laura and Almanzo Wilder. At our wedding my husband and I had a "slow lane" carriage ride from the church to the reception hall - and have kept the tradition wherever we visit or tour. We live the pace and the clip-clop sound of the horses' hooves. Now we will add Acadia to our "bucket" list!
Posted by: Connie in Colorado | June 2nd, 2015 at 3:34 pm