Green Acre's Historic Facilities

Sarah Farmer Inn

Named for Sarah Jane Farmer, founder of Green Acre, scholar of world religions, and crusader for peace, the Sarah Farmer Inn is the centerpiece of the Green Acre campus. Built in 1890, it has been completely restored in the distinctive character and styling of its turn of the century architecture and is furnished with period pieces to capture the essence of its history. The lobby reflects the country charm of a New England inn and provides a relaxing place for visiting with friends. The expansive front porch has long been a favorite place for friends to gather and offers a spectacular view of the beautiful sunsets over the Piscataqua River. On the third floor, the room in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed when He visited Green Acre in 1912, is open for quiet prayer and meditation of anyone who wishes to spend time there. It is open 24-hours-a-day when guests are on campus. The Inn has 21 bed-and-breakfast-style rooms which accommodate 45 people, as well as the dining room.

Harriet & Curtis Kelsey Center

The Harriet & Curtis Kelsey Center is home to all Green Acre programs and provides a perfect space for many other events, presentations, and retreats. The Kelseys, for whom the building is named, were lifetime supporters of Green Acre through attending, teaching classes, providing music, and helping plan the school's development. Full of natural light and woodwork, the Kelsey Center contains the Green Acre Bookstore, a children's wing, Cafe area, and Manny Reimer Hall, a beautiful 220-seat auditorium, named for a beloved past administrator and loving supporter of Green Acre. The opening was in 2002.

Ole Bull Cottage

Ole Bull Cottage, named after the famous Norwegian violinist whose wife purchased it, is over 100 years old. It has been restored in period style and renovated with air-conditioning and private bathroom facilities. It was originally built as a school of music and has been used as a setting for music recitals, art exhibits, natural healing as well as small retreats, conferences and training sessions.

Rogers Cottage

Moved in 1870 from its original location near where the Kelsey Center now stands, Rogers Cottage has seen many changes in its use. It has been a home, host to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a tea house, and the location of the first Green Acre Winter School in 1947. It has been renovated and now offers accomodations and home to the Green Acre Library. In the summer, it is air-conditioned.

Lucas Cottage

Named for Madame Mary Lucas, a music teacher who lived there in Green Acre's early days, Lucas Cottage now contains accommodations.

Fellowship House

Located at 1037 Main Street, Fellowship House was built in 1916 through the generous bequest of Helen Ellis Cole, a Bahá'í from New York. It has been used over the years as the site of many small conferences, youth institutes, children's classes, weddings and meetings of all types. It offers accommodations as well as dining facilities.

Staples Cottage

Staples Cottage currently serves as the Green Acre Main Office. It is located at 938 Main Street. Built by Charles Rogers, was used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to host a Unity Feast for the people of Green Acre and Eliot on August 20, 1912. It was also home to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, elected there in 1925.

Bookstore

Green Acre Bahá'í School's Bookstore,located in the new Kelsey Center, is open weekends: Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:15-10:30 PM (on program weekends only), and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, 1-5 PM. Call the School for any additional hours, (207)439-7200.

Special Bookstore Item: Her Name is Green Acre, is available as a CD and a cassette tape. Cassettes are $11 and CD's are $15(with $3.95 additional for postage and handling). Enjoy music inspired by Green Acre and conveying its spirit. As an extra bonus, 100% of the proceeds of these sales go directly to the Green Acre Scholarship Fund to assist many more of the friends to take advantage of the bounties of the School. The CD features an incredible diversity of styles and artists. Please send orders in written form and enclose checks to cover the correct amount.

Café

The Café is located in the Curtis Kelsey Center around the corner from Reimer Hall.

Green Acre Bahá'í School
938 Main Street
Eliot, ME 03903
207-439-7200
fax 207-438-9940
email: greenacre@usbnc.org