Carroll Family Homestead

Head towards the west side of the island to visit an example of 1800s island life at Carroll Homestead, a time capsule of early Euro-american settlement before Mount Desert Island became a tourist destination and Acadia National Park came into being.

Learn about the daily life of Mount Desert Island settlers in the mid-1800’s. Join a ranger for a tour of the Carroll Homestead, examine historic tools and toys, and learn about the chores children were responsible for. This program serves as a pre-field trip primer for local students or as a stand-alone program for groups further away. (50 minutes)

Students are welcome to join role-playing rangers in historical recreation of the Carroll Homestead. Designed around fourth grade Maine state standards, this program explores the contrast between 1800s Maine and contemporary society. Games, costumes, and the beautiful "Mountain House" tell a story of one family's subsistence life in early Maine

The Carroll Farm represents changing farm life during the 19th and early 20th century on Mount Desert Island. The house was built by John and Rachel Carroll in 1820 and remained in the family until its purchase by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and later by the park.

John and Viola Carroll were the third generation to live at the Carroll Homestead from 1900 to 1917. They relied on the farm less and John’s established masonry business more to support their family.

Jacob Carroll, John Carroll's only son, was an accomplished sailor who later moved into the Mountain House in 1871 to raise a family with his wife, Rebecca.

John and Rachel Carroll were the first generation of the Caroll Family who lived at Carroll Homestead from 1825 to 1870.