President Darron Collins ’92, right, with the crew that helped place the slabs for COA's new Ba...President Darron Collins ’92, right, with the crew that helped place the slabs for COA's new Bates cairn.

2016 marks the 100th anniversary of Acadia National Park, and COA is planning a load of special events to highlight the deep connections between Acadia and COA.

The special connection between the college and the national park is celebrated with the installation of a Bates cairn in front of the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History. The cairn marks a new trail which connects from campus to the Duck Brook Connector trail and into Acadia National Park.

Rolling the slabs of the new Bates cairn into place.Rolling the slabs of the new Bates cairn into place.

 

Bruce Tripp of COA buildings and grounds, center, helps set the granite.Bruce Tripp of COA buildings and grounds, center, helps set the granite.

 

Museum director Carrie Graham places the top stone on the new Bates Cairn at COA.Museum director Carrie Graham places the top stone on the new Bates Cairn at COA.

 

Many hands make quick work of moving the heavy granite slabs chosen for COA's new Bates cairn.Many hands make quick work of moving the heavy granite slabs chosen for COA's new Bates cairn.

The museum is a fitting location for the cairn and the trailhead, as it is located in the building which originally housed the first Acadia National Park headquarters and is named after one of the park’s founders, George Dorr.

The Bates cairn sits outside of the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History.The Bates cairn sits outside of the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History.

President Darron Collins ’92, students, and staff all chipped in to move the heavy granite slabs into place. Once set up, it looked like it had been there forever.

The Bates cairn outside COA's George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History points the way toward Acadia National Park.The Bates cairn outside COA's George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History points the way toward Acadia National Park.