Virtual Author Talk: Brian Armstrong "A History Lover’s Guide to Bar Harbor"

Description

Join author Brian Armstrong for a virtual author talk about his book “A History Lover’s Guide to Bar Harbor” on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. with the Jesup Memorial Library. The book highlights some of Bar Harbor’s more interesting residents and explores the history of many of the town’s famous landmarks.
 
Armstrong, whose mother grew up in Bar Harbor, worked with residents and historians, including Debbie Dyer, who wrote the books’ introduction, to share parts of Bar Harbor untold history. A trail of existing buildings and monuments provides a backdrop for an unconventional history of places, people and events, with many previously unpublished photographs and stories featured throughout the book. Discover the changes brought to Bar Harbor by the world wars, the Spanish influenza, Prohibition and the Fire of 1947 while touring the Way Bak Ball, La Rochelle, the Casino and the Wharf. The book also features the stories of Bar Harbor’s first African American sea captain and introduces readers to the women who were in the center of the town’s Prohibition scene.
 
Armstrong was born in Flemington New Jersey. His Bar Harbor ancestors include Higgines, Brewers, Ashs, and others from Eden founding families. His mother was Constance Ells Armstrong, daughter of Dr. John B. Ells, a prominent Bar Harbor civic leader for whom the municipal pier (wharf) was named. His father, Quentin (Monk) Armstrong was the architect for the Atlantic Oaks Hotel & Conference Center, Mira Monte Inn & Suites renovation, and other buildings in Bar Harbor. He is an independent historian, researcher and author. He is a co-author of “South River,” and also wrote “The Franklin Park Tragedy: A Forgotten Story of Racial Injustice in New Jersey” which he won the 2020 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Author award. He also frequently writes articles for the Bar Harbor Historical Society.
 
Copies of “A History Lover’s Guide to Bar Harbor” are on sale courtesy of co-sponsor Sherman’s Books and can be purchased at any of their locations, online at shermans.com or by calling 207-288-3161. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register visit jesuplibrary.org/events/barharbor or email kchagnon@jesuplibrary.org.