The Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations, governing board of Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park held its annual meeting on January 15, 2015 at The Black House in Ellsworth.
Presentations on two new plans were given. Robert Brais, Vice President of ConsultEcon presented the recently completed business plan for Woodlawn and Phyllis Young, Marketing and Development Coordinator for Woodlawn presented on the new communication plan for the organization. The annual budget was also reviewed and approved.
Frederick Ehrlenbach was seated as Woodlawn’s newest Trustee. Commenting on the selection of Ehrlenbach, executive director, Joshua Campbell Torrance said, “Fred’s lifelong connection to Ellsworth and his leadership and steadfast manner on a number of boards and planning committees in the community were qualities that the Trustees were seeking.” Fred is an active member of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and co-chaired the Ellsworth’s Sestercentennial Committee in 2013.
Ruth Brenninkmeyer was honored with a plaque and gift for her nine years as a member of the board and voted a Trustee Emerita. According to Torrance, “We certainly have enjoyed working with Ruth over the years. She is a true ambassador for Woodlawn and has brought much to the board with her ideas and enthusiasm.” During her tenure as a Trustee, Ruth was in the founding group that established Woodlawn’s croquet court and a stalwart member on the Ellsworth Antique Show Preview Party Committee, which she will continue to serve on.
This year marked the 114th annual meeting of the Trustees. The Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations was formed in 1901 by concerned citizens in response to extensive lumbering and the increase in private land ownership in Hancock County. They were very successful in preserving thousands of acres on Mount Desert Island, and then donated their holdings to the Federal government 1916 which formed the core of Acadia National Park. In 1929 they accepted Woodlawn from the bequest of George Nixon Black, Jr. and have continued to maintain and govern it for public use ever since.