Get to Know Bar Harbor’s Historic B&B

The Mira Monte Inn earned its place in Bar Harbor’s history in the 1870s, when Orlando Ash began construction on what was then known as Ash Cottage. Orlando was the son of Captain Benjamin Ash, who came to Mount Desert Island from Gouldsboro around 1820, purchasing several tracts of land stretching from the shore near the bar to the mountains. The Ash family was among Bar Harbor’s earliest entrepreneurs, clearing the land, selling the timber, and building homes on the newly opened lots. Several of the historic residences on Mount Desert Street and nearby Holland Avenue trace their roots back to the Ash family.

In the attic of the Mira Monte, evidence of the inn’s construction remains: a two-story building was built first, followed by a wing that today houses the dining room and kitchen. A third addition, known as the ell, originally provided work and living quarters for the servants. During renovations of the ell, carpenters discovered a board inscribed with “1868,” a signature left by Maine builders who traditionally marked their work.

A Golden Age of Summer Guests

By the time the Ash family cleared the land, Hudson River School artists had discovered the stunning beauty of Mount Desert Island. Their landscapes, sold in cities like New York and Philadelphia, attracted the attention of wealthy industrialists eager to escape the heat, humidity, and disease of mid-Atlantic summers. The cool sea breezes and mild temperatures of Eden—Bar Harbor’s original name—seemed like paradise.

Though Orlando built Ash Cottage as a personal residence for himself and his wife, they rented it to wealthy summer visitors while retreating to Mrs Ash’s family home on Gott’s Island. Notable early guests included Maine Senator Eugene Hale, Secretary of the Navy William Chandler, and industrialist James P. Scott. Perhaps the cottage’s most prominent guest arrived in 1884, when James G. Blaine, Secretary of State and presidential candidate, used it as his summer campaign headquarters during the height of the Gilded Age. Depicted in the image is Blaine and the Mira Monte as both appeared in 1884.

From Ash Cottage to Mira Monte

In 1890, the property was purchased by Dr. Henry C. Chapman, an eminent Philadelphia physician, naturalist, and curator of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. Dr. Chapman and his wife, Hannah, transformed the house into a grand summer estate befitting their social standing. They added the elegant Greek portico and columns that still define the porch today and renamed the estate Mira Monte, meaning “behold the mountains.”

The Chapmans frequently entertained members of Philadelphia’s high society. One account from 1896 recalls Mira Monte as the site of the “biggest private affair of the season,” where the Countess Carola de Lagier-Villars “poured tea” for guests. Another event, immortalized in a photograph displayed at the inn, shows a ladies’ putting contest hosted by philanthropist Peter Marie. After Dr. Chapman’s passing in 1909, Hannah continued her role as hostess until her death in 1931. During this period, Mrs Chapman would host a reception for the Count of Turin, Prince Vittorio Emmanuele of Savoy-Aosta.

Pictured: Ladie’s Putting Tournament at the Mira Monte, Circa 1900

Surviving the Great Fire of 1947

Bar Harbor suffered a devastating fire in 1947, which destroyed much of the town and many historic homes. Mira Monte was spared, with the fire halting a half block away, leaving the property one of the oldest surviving homes in the area. In the aftermath, many summer residents never returned, and the home passed through several owners before falling into a state of near disrepair.

The Birth of a Bed & Breakfast

In 1980, Bar Harbor native Marian Burns purchased the house with a dream of restoring it to its former glory. Believing that a home with such history should retain its name, she opened it as the Mira Monte Inn Bed & Breakfast. Over the years, her careful restoration work brought new life to the estate. During this time, the inn continued to welcome notable guests, including Maine humorist Marshall Dodge and actor Paul Newman, who stayed while his daughter Nell attended the nearby College of the Atlantic.

Uenos

A new chapter of hospitality began in 2019, when Mira Monte was purchased by Bruce and Cheryl Ueno (pictured). They brought with them decades of experience in hospitality. Bruce, a former Marriott general manager, and Cheryl, a Disney veteran and accomplished piano instructor, continue to honor the Mira Monte’s rich history while enhancing its reputation as one of Bar Harbor’s most beloved historic inns.

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What our Guests are Saying: “Staying with Cheryl and Bruce at Mira Mont is the best way to to visit Bar Harbor! Easy walking distance to everything the town and the harbor has to offer, and just one mile to Acadia National Park. Mira Mont is full of history, dating back to the 1800s…Very quiet, and parking very easy and close by. Be sure not to miss the breakfasts, they are amazing. Plus, I left some clothing items behind by mistake, a quick call to Cheryl , and they were returned to me in a couple of days. Simply seamless, thank you so much!
Highly recommend, go, enjoy!! Brenda F.