It is always a pleasure to photograph on Islesboro, and especially in Dark Harbor – an area of the island rich in history; here is one more project from 2015 that is now public. This cottage was designed by Frederick Savage, and originally built as a residence for a Philadelphia banker, George Philler, in 1896.
With nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a beautiful double staircase, and an oval dining room, the home boasts many elegant features. It was not always so. The former Dark Harbor House inn had run into disrepair and was in serious need of attention and close to demolition. Out of square, out of plumb, with dipping floorboards, the current owners took the restoration project on and raised the structure to put int a new foundation. With topnotch quality craftsmanship throughout, this home has been painstakingly restored to its former beauty, and no detail was left undone.
Look for more on this home in the Tilbury House Publishers book project I am photographing for – a how-to book by Scott T. Hanson on rehabilitating historic homes to function in the 21st century while retaining their historic character. If interested in the historic homes of Dark Harbor, I can highly recommend Earle Shettleworth’s book, The Summer Cottages of Islesboro, Maine available at the Maine Historical Society.
The home is now for sale and listed with Landvest, contact Terry or Joseph Sortwell for details. Interesting background information on this home and its miraculous renovation on several Landvest’s blog posts here, here and here.
