Alum of the Month
A Visit With Bar Harbor's Own Evelyn Plummer Sullivan '36
One sunny day in February, Evelyn Plummer Sullivan ’36 donned her Erskine sweatshirt and proudly shared the story of her life.
Evelyn was born on October 15, 1917 with an entrepreneurial spirit. Her family lived on a farm and she vividly remembers her mother making 52 pounds of butter each week, singing hymns louder and louder with each churn. Along with her father, her older brother Stephen C. Plummer ’32 and her younger sister Velma Plummer Durgin ’37, she helped farm cows, pigs and chickens. They worked hard, but it was a good life, and the family was well respected—her uncle owned Plummer Funeral Home and her great-grandmother was a Native American Indian Princess. When Evelyn’s mother’s health started to suffer, her dad was able to sell the farm and begin a new career with the railroad and as a woodcutter.
By the time she was old enough to attend Erskine Academy, Evelyn was 5’8” tall and was tapped to play on the girls basketball team. Her memorabilia box is overflowing with pictures from her Erskine days, and she faithfully keeps up on all the Erskine games through her many great-nieces and -nephews currently attending the school. She also still sings the school song!
On the day after her Erskine graduation, she began work at the State Hospital in Augusta, and soon afterward became a Licensed Practical Nurse. The entrepreneurial spirit she had inherited began to blossom and she purchased a Victorian home in Bar Harbor where she opened the Harbor Rest Boarding House. It was there in Bar Harbor on the village green that she met her future husband, a handsome serviceman. They had four children and lived on the third floor of the nursing home. During her many years as owner and administrator of the business, she met and cared for a number of guests whom she fondly remembers. One gentleman was 105 years old and received a special letter from then President Nixon. Another gentleman regaled them with stories of his performances in John Souza’s band.
After 28 years at the helm of the Harbor Rest, she sold the business but still wasn’t ready to retire. She then worked for another 17 years at the Sonogee Estates, also in Bar Harbor. Finally, upon retirement, she purchased another vintage home in Bucksport and, after her husband’s death, spent her days gardening and decorating until moving back to Bar Harbor three years ago. Her children and grandchildren are all relatively close by in Maine and New Hampshire, and she enjoys nearly daily calls and visits from them.
Today Evelyn fills her time creating expert handiwork in knitting, crochet, and rug-hooking. She’s survived strokes, cancer, and back problems, but despite being told not to stand or sit for too long, she remains very independent and is proud of her accomplishments.
In parting, Evelyn pointed out one of her treasures that adorns the wall above her couch: a blanket illustrated with the historic buildings of South China, Maine—where it all started for her more than 90 years ago.
Past Alum of the Month features
Dec06 / Jan07 / Feb07 / Apr07 / Aug07 / Oct07 / Nov 07 / Feb08 / Mar08
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