Monday, December 14, 2009

Would you like to stay at the Stone Camp?


If you like walls painted in designer colors, get downright quivery when discussing the latest "in" decor and can't stand the eclectic and the old-fashioned, then read no further.  

But, if you pine for a "the way it used to be" Maine camp experience, are intrigued at the idea of staying in a turn-of-the-century camp "with bones", that stands so close to the water that you can fish from the porch, and sunsets so personal you need to wear your sunglasses to bed at night -- then do we have the camp for you!

Stone Camp is located 1/4 mile from the scenic town of Wayne, Maine - famous for the bumper sticker, Where the hell is Wayne, Maine?  After several days here, you probably won't think this is at all funny.  Ice-cream and lobster rolls are available at Tubby's in Wayne.  The General Store is always a safe and a beer can be had in New Hampshire if you are a Democrat and know how to ride side-saddle.

If intrigued, please look over the following camp photos and information. 

Webster-Mellons

Photos








A History of Stone Camp

Stone Camp was built by John and Imogene Lufkin in 1901. He was the inventor of the "improved buttonhole machine" the design for which is used to this day to sew buttonholes in garments and clothing. Lufkin was an inventor and a senior executive at Thomas Edison's labs in Menlo Park, NJ.

The camp is built on a prominent stone ledge overlooking Androscoggin Lake near Cedar Point. Lufkin used dynamite to shape the point so that it would part the ice and keep it from damaging his boathouse.

Comprised of a main house and a boathouse, the buildings have a first story of fieldstone and a second of stucco. The two fireplaces were designed and built by Norman Safford of Wayne, ME. Imogene's name is inset into the stone with marble in one fireplace and "a face in the fireplace" on the other. Norman collected a wide variety of different rocks for the fireplace in the cottage. If you're a geologist and recognize any, won't you leave us a list and sketch in the guestbook?  The boathouse is shaped like a castle turret and is comprised of three floors: water below the first floor allows boats to enter the boathouse from the lake, a barn above once housed an old horse stall and then a third-floor party room that offers spectacular views of the lake.  Find the horse stall pieces repurposed in the new upstairs bathroom.  For what it's worth, Lufkin's home in Menlo Park, NJ was also a castle. He must have had a thing for castles.

While visiting, check out the cottage's old wiring system which once powered 15 lights. Installed by Lufkin in the early 1900s, Stone Camp was the first building on Lake Androscoggin to have electric lighting. I'm sure it helped that he worked for Edison's lab which was busy installing lighting systems in New York and Philadelphia.  The original "knob and tube" system has been inspected and is as originally installed including use of three porcelain rotary knob switches - one which is a three-way switch that operates an upstairs hallway light from both upstairs and downstairs. Revolutionary!

What's the weather in Wayne, Maine?

The Small Print

Stone Camp is located 1/4 mile from the scenic town of Wayne, Maine.  Camden, a popular coastal destination, is approximately 1-1/2 hours away.  Lewiston and Augusta are nearby.

Accommodations.  The camp has two buildings - the Stone Camp and the boathouse.  The Stone Camp has four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs and a living room, dining room, parlor, two reading/game nooks off the living room and a kitchen downstairs. The boathouse is two stories and has a water-level boat bay below, a barn on the first floor and a round game/party room with fireplace and bathroom on the 2nd floor.  The boathouse is linked to the Stone House with an unusual wooden elevated walkway.  Sunsets are spectacular from its porch.  

Sleeping arrangements are as follows:

  Stone Camp
     Master - (1) Double
     2nd BR - (1) Double
     3rd BR - (1) Double, (1) Bunkbed with twin mattresses
     4th BR - (1) Bunkbed with a double below and a twin above
  Boathouse
      Open party room - (1) Double and a double fold-out futon

Total occupancy = 13

Toys/Activities.
   Swimming beach
   Dock
   Canoe
   (3) kayaks
   Horseshoes
   Ping-Pong
   Hiking
   Fishing
   Firepit
   Hamock
     
Access to the lake for trailered boats is available in Wayne. 

What's Included.  The cottage is fully furnished.  The kitchen is simple, functional and has all that's needed to serve meals.  Lots of basic foodstuffs.  Please replace what you use.  Supplies are available at Hannaford's Market in Winthrop or closer at the Wayne Country Store & Bakery.  Be aware that linens and towels are not included - so bring your own.  The cottage has a washing machine and dryer.  The camp is not heated but does have large, working fireplaces in the boathouse and Stone Camp.  Firewood is found under the long porch overlooking the lake.  The camp does not have a TV but high-speed wireless internet is available.  For a change go to the Wayne Library for internet access.  It's what the Mainers do.  

Rental Rates.  Rental rates are $1,500/week June thru September.  Rentals are from Saturday noon to Saturday noon.

Directions.
From Flemington, NJ take 202 N to 287E
Cross the Tappen Zee Bridge to 684N to 684N to 84N (exit 65 for great deli at Reins Deli) to 90E to 290 to Worchester to 495N around Boston, MA.
At 95N proceed north to Augusta, ME
Take 695N towards Portland, ME as it is faster than staying on 95N
Rejoin 95N and proceed to the first Augusta exit.  Take 202W towards Winthrop, ME
At Winthrop exit 202W and drive through town to 133W.
West on 133 to Wayne, ME
Upon entering Wayne (at the bottom of the long hill) turn left onto Old Winthrop Road and
follow owner-provided directions to camp.
Hint: if you pass by the Wayne General Store you've gone too far.  Turn around and look for Old Winthrop Road.

Availability








For more information: Stone Camp is available during June, July, August, September and early October.  To check on availability or make reservations, please email Marshall Wright @ arlingtondiver@gmail.com

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