History

On Thursday, February 17 and Wednesday February 23, 2000, a total of more than 100 people from the Island of Mount Desert and surrounding communities attended an Open House at the Somesville Firehouse. They were invited to share ideas and learn more about establishing a Senior College, and were asked the question, "Are you approaching or are you in, 'the third half of your life' and are you looking for your next challenge?"

Mount Desert resident James Clunan, a retired Foreign Service Officer, had experienced such a challenge while living in the Portland area in 1999. While there, he attended and taught classes at the Senior College which is part of the University of Southern Maine. Founded in 1996 by Rabbi Harry Sky, it became the first Senior College in Maine and followed the success of other Senior Colleges around the United States.

The program is based on the concept that as long as the mind is stimulated, the body will flourish. The Senior College relies on volunteers in order to become self-supporting and keep tuition costs to a minimum.

With such a large response of interested potential students and instructors, a Steering Committee was formed and met for the first time on March 6, 2000. Since the Fall of 2000 through Winter 2009, 285 classes and dozens of lectures, meetings and social events have taken place involving a membership of 315 individuals.

Membership

Membership is open to persons 50 years of age and older. Younger spouses, partners, widows and widowers of persons 50 and older are also eligible. Annual membership includes access to Acadia Senior College courses, mailings, excursions, special events, and social activities. To become a member or for a copy of our brochure, call (207) 288-9500. Membership is $30 per (July-June 30) or $80 for a three-year membership.

Courses

Participants are encouraged not only to become Members and register for the courses listed, but also to join in the effort of planning for the future as Acadia Senior College evolves and expands to meet the needs expressed by the community.

Courses Catalogs

Download Acadia Senior College Spring 2010 Course Listing (PDF)

Course Locations:

Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor Public Library, 338 Main Street, 244-7065
Harbor House, 329 Main Street, 244-3713

Bar Harbor

College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street, 288-5015
Maine Sea Coast Mission, 127 West Street, 288-5097
Abbe Museum, 26 Mt. Desert Street, 288-3519

Acadia National Park Training Center

Winter Headquarters, McFarland Hill, Eagle Lake Road, 288-8700

Northeast Harbor

Neighborhood House, 1 Kimball Road, 276-5039
Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, 276-3333
MDI Housing, 24 Maple Lane, 288-4770
Saint Mary's Winter Chapel, 5 Kimball Road, 276-5588

Salisbury Cove

MDI Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, 288-3605

Hulls Cove

Birch Bay Village (Inn), 25 Village Inn Road, 288-8014

Mt. Desert

MDI Historical Society, Sound School House, 373 Sound Drive, 276-9323

For More Information

Acadia Senior College
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden St.
Bar Harbor ME 04609

Mailing address:
Acadia Senior College
PO Box 175
Hulls Cove, ME 04644

By phone: (207) 288-9500

By email: acadiaseniorcollege@coa.edu

Web site: www.acadiaseniorcollege.org