The Willows is the older of the two buildings located at our site. It may even pre-date the Jordan House which stood nearby. We need to find out! These photographs give a sense of the house and surroundings over time—highlighting changes to the building, site, etc.
This is seems to be the oldest image that we have of The Willows. (Image courtesy of Peter Thomas.)This postcard depicts the site some time later, featuring a variety of elements not visible in the previous image: the Flood’s sign, stairs, a power line, and noticeable tree growth. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME.)Miriam Mitchell, Abbie Flood, and Flood’s Shore Dinners guests. (Image courtesy McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME.)Flood’s Shore Dinner sign and patrons. Modifications to the front of The Willows are visible. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME)The McArthur Library has multiple boxes of Flood’s Shore Dinner guestbooks. Students may find these useful as they piece together the story of this place. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME)Images suggest that Flood’s Shore Dinners was a popular destination. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME.)Photograph likely taken at roughly the same time as those immediately above. There appear to be two significant alterations to the building, en extension on the right and an expanded entryway. Notice the barn to the right of the house. (Image courtesy of McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME. )Abbie Flood (?) feeding turkeys in front of her barn. The Jordan House is visible over her shoulder. (Image courtesy McArthur Library, Biddeford, ME.)Image of the two houses and the earliest section of Decary Hall. The barn remains in situ. By this stage, the Willows was owned by St. Francis College and had evidently changed purpose. It was now used as a chapel and rectory. (Image courtesy Peter Thomas)
1940s. (Image courtesy of Featherman University Archive, University of New England)
Chapel and rectory. (Image courtesy of Featherman University Archive, University of New England)Chapel and rectory. (Image courtesy of Featherman University Archive, University of New England)
