"Headin' upta camp": defining the vernacular architecture and historical significance of Maine camps

Abstract

This study is one of the first to define the vernacular architecture of Maine camps and investigate the elements that contribute to the form’s evolution over time. It discusses the circumstances that led to the rise of Maine camps, detailing the key historical movements within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that influenced their construction and placement. Looking at camps from three distinct periods – First Period Sporting Camps (1870-1920), Second Period Sporting Camps (1920-1950), and Private Family Camps (1900-1950) – this study discusses the form and function of each type of camp. It explores how each evolved to model the needs of their clientele, incorporating aspects of their environment to draw individuals to the Maine woods and create a unique Maine experience. Through this process, an appeal is made to consider Maine camps as historic structures and their vernacular form to be included in discussions of Maine’s architectural history. Today, Maine camps face many growing threats to their future, and this study aims to propose action steps that encourage more active participation and interest in their preservation.