HISTORY

Located on 27 woodland acres in Etna, Maine the Camp Etna camp meetings are recorded to have begun in 1876 and Spiritualists came every summer to camp out in their tents to hear the top mediums and inspirational speakers of the day. The campers eventually built platforms on which to place their tents and then built cottages on top of their platforms and the community was born.
On September 1, 1899, The First Maine Spiritualist State Camp Meeting Association was incorporated in the State of Maine, Penobscot County. On September 5, 1919, we changed our name to the Etna Spiritualist Association and it remains our name today.

At its peak in the early 1900’s there were 130 cottages that formed the vibrant summer community. People came from Boston, Hartford, Providence, and New York by train and got off at a stop at the camp next to Etna Pond. Mainers came far and wide by horse, carriage and on foot. Visitors numbered over 3000 for the camp meetings, an antiquated term used for religious gatherings.
The camp played a pivotal role in the study and promotion of physical phenomenon and spirit communication in the early years of Spiritualism. In addition, the camp was involved with women’s rights, and camp members were active in the political issues of the day. Over its long history, the camp has continued its strong support of students engaged in developing their mediumship and healing abilities.

Camp Etna has hosted many local and national notables from Harrison D. Barrett (first Pres. of the National Spiritualist Association), to Maragaret Chase Smith, Mary S. Vanderbilt and C. Harrison Engel. In 1911, the 48th Governor of Maine, F.W. Plaisted, proclaimed an official Governor's Day at Camp Etna.
A fire in 1922 destroyed over half of the camp buildings and the temple. Mary Drake Jenne (Camp Etna's secretary for more than 40 years) and in her writing 3 days after the fire she documented the following, "On April 5, 1922 the temple, the store, the boarding house and 83 cottages east of Pond Street were destroyed by fire. 48 cottages and 7 other buildings were saved. When the fire was out, Mr. Packard stood atop a picnic table and declared fervently the summer season would go on as planned."

A new temple erected in its place collapsed several decades later due to heavy snow load on the roof. The third temple named the Gladys LaLiberté Memorial Temple stands today.
The camp hotel was destroyed by fire on January 13, 1968. At the time it was being used for boarding and furniture storage.
Today about 50 cottages make up the campground.

GALLERY

TIMELINE

1807

The area of Etna was settled and called Crosbytown after the Crosbys of Hampden. Names on record were, Crosby, Friend & Friend, Diemet, Harding and Sylvester.

1820

Crosbytown incorporated and changed its name to Etna.

1858

Daniel Buswell built the house at top of hill on Route 2 just west of Camp Etna. Camp Meetings (Religious Gatherings) held in Buswell's Grove.

1876

Daniel Buswell Jr. hired a large tent and speakers for the first fall camp meeting at Camp Etna. Admission was 10 cents/day.

1880

The pavilion was built in 1880 for approximately $500 and had a seating capacity of more than one thousand.
According to Wikipedia, 78 cottages were on Camp Etna grounds in 1880.
According to Mary Drake Jenne (Secretary of MSSAC 1909-46 Director/Secretary ESA 1925-46) there were 131 cottages on property before the fire of 1922.

1890

Buswell transferred ownership of approximately 300 acres to the First Maine Spiritualist State Camp Meeting Association.

1893

Harrison D. Barrett, born in Canaan, Maine in 1860, founded the National Spiritualist Association. Harrison served Camp Etna many years as platform speaker and president as did Mary Scannel Pepper Vanderbilt. Her grave and head stone are in Barrett Sq. Mary Drake Jenne worked with them from 1902 until Harrison passed to spirit in 1911 and Mary Vanderbilt in 1919. Mary Drake Jenne continued to be a worker for Spiritualism until her death in 1946.

1899

The First Maine Spiritualists State Camp Meeting Association filed their corporation papers.

1906

Trustees purchased the Echo Farm & Hotel and changed the name to the Camp Etna Hotel. Hotel had 50 rooms, good livery, spring water and a 5 minute walk to train depot.

1911

The first Governor's Day was proclaimed by F.W. Plaisted.

1919

The First Maine Spiritualists State Camp Meeting Association changed its name to Etna Spiritualist Association. Admission increases to 15 cents/day.

On April 5, 1922 the temple, the store, the boarding house and 83 cottages east of Pond Street were destroyed by fire. 48 cottages & 7 other buildings were saved. When the fire was out, Mr. Packard stood atop a picnic table and declared fervently the summer season would go on as planned. 3 main buildings were rebuilt.

1922

1930

50 room hotel not mentioned, but, dormitory (Etna Inn) w/16 rooms in program.

1931

Camp Etna Hotel sold to Millard McLaughlin.

1936

Found in program “Old Dance Hall has been transformed into a most artistic clubhouse...with adjoining bowling alley through the generosity of A. Lincoln Blaisdell.” Camp Etna Hotel changed name to The Tavern which was newly remodeled.

1941

Hotel on campground up next to Route 2 is now called The Etna Inn.

1946

The Etna Inn is reopened as The Etna Tavern. First time phone mentioned in advertising sponsors. The Etna Eagle was published.

1948

Last mention of 300 acre property in program.

1957

First year program does not mention a railroad stop.

1961

Bangor & Aroostook Railroad discontinues passenger service to Bangor.

1968

The Etna Tavern, now used as boarding house and furniture storage was destroyed by fire January 13, 1968.

1971

The Temple built after fire in 1922 collapses due to snow load. Gladys Laliberte Temple constructed in years to follow by camp members.

1980

The Harrison D. Barrett Church was constructed on the grounds and held church services from May through September with the exception of the Camp Etna seasonal meetings in June and August.

1990'S

The Etna Inn (dormitory rooms upstairs) is closed for safety reasons.

1991

The First United Spiritualist Church held services from May to September with the exception of Camp Etna seasonal meetings; June & Aug.

2000'S

Temple repaired, buildings reborn, porches rebuilt, web site established.

The Healing Light Spiritualist Church holds services every Sunday year round with the exception of the two month Camp Etna Summer Season.

2015

Camp Etna Historical Society
Diane Jackman Skolfield

ARTICLES

An article on Mary Vanderbilt, who served Camp Etna for 17 years ,can be found here.

An article on renowned Spiritualist, Harrison D. Barrett, is here

Click here for Historical newspaper articles

1879 Aug 19, Bangor Daily Whig

NEWS CLIPPING FROM 1889 ABOUT CAMP

At Etna’s Camp meeting - Program & Speakers

Etna Aug. 18th - The 13th annual meeting of the F. Me. S. Spiritual Camp meeting Association will hold its annual meeting at Buswell’s grove, beginning Aug. 29th, and continuing ten days.

The grove is seventeen miles west from Bangor on the M. C. R.R. and a large platform has been erected by the R.R. company at the foot of the grounds, a distance of fifty rods only, and all local trains will stop there to leave passengers and baggage, making it very convenient. A team will be there to carry all who wish to right also baggage to the camp.

Half fare tickets will be sold on the line of the M.C. R.R. and B. & P. R.R.

The following speakers are engaged: Dr. E. B. Storer, the well known lecturer will be present the whole time. Mr. Oscar A. Edgerly, of Newbaryport, Mass., will also be present the entire meeting. He is a fine lecturer and also gives tests. Mrs. Kate R. Eclies (SP?), inspirational speaker and platform test medium is to be here the last seven days. She comes highly recommended.

The following will also be present: Rev. Frank E. Healey, of Ellsworth, Miss. Abate (sp?) Morse, of Searemont, Me., Miss May Packard and many others.

A cordial invitation is extended to all mediums in or out of the state to attend. Good music will be provided during the meeting. Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Butterfield to act as organist. B. D. Newcomb is to preside. Tent lots and cottages can be obtained by writing to Daniel Buswell. Mr. L. T. Waterman, of Dexter is to collect the rental for the same.

There is a good boarding house on the grounds, run by Samuel D. Buswell of South Stetson, where good board and lodging can be obtained at reasonable rates. Mr. Buswell has run the boarding house for several years past, in a satisfactory manner and will still continue to try and please his patrons.

Mr. Daniel Buswell, proprietor of the grounds will also take boarders at his home near the grounds, as usual, and Echo Farm, Capt. Welcome, proprietor, will accommodate all who wish to patronize it. There will be a meat cart on the grounds every day to accommodate (can‘t read some of this). A barber shop, photograph saloon, ice cream rooms will supply the needs of the people.

This information was kindly provided to the camp by Barbara Larsen.

What They Will Do