Donald Robb, an architect from Newton MA and member of the Newtonville New Church, offered to donate his services designing a large building which would serve for eating, sleeping and lectures. Fryeburg residents generously contributed to the cost of materials. Mary L. Gordon, who later left a substantial bequest, was one; and Anne Cary Bradley, a noted local artist, donated money, opened her house to guests, and donated half the proceeds from her annual auction of paintings (one pictured above). Walter Robinson, a Fryeburg native who was a teacher in the Boston public schools, was also one of the early sponsors.

The objective of the Assembly was, as it is now, to bring together in a beautiful setting people of all ages for instruction in the church's teachings and their bearing on problems in life, and for the opportunity for recreation and social interaction.

In 1928 another history-making event occurred. On the shores of Lovewell's Pond, a group of young adults gathered around a fire and decided to form an organization, which they were inspired to call the "Flames." We understand that all but two of these people were Swantons, proving how family solidarity has been one of the strong points of the camp from the very beginning. After the Flames had come into existence, the children were called "Sparks" and the older generation "Embers". [Ed. note: adults are now called "Bonfires" and our elders "Embers"... the hottest part of the fire!] The Flames have continued vigorously over the years, with their own schedule of activities including Outing Day trips, the Corn Boil, bowling, canoeing, tubing and other special activities.

In 1929, the first building, which is now the kitchen, was put up. Because of some cost-cutting changes in the plans, Mr. Robb was displeased with the building and scolded the Assembly officers because they had eliminated the chimney — and what was a building without a chimney? He said he did not regret the time and expertise he had donated, but he would not stand by and see his firm's reputation damaged by an inferior structure! The next year, however, for the part which was now to be added (what is now the Dining Hall), Mr. John L. Osgood of the Fryeburg Society donated granite from his quarry on Stark's Hill and built the massive double fireplace, one side of which was boarded up until such time as the building could be extended. A few people here may remember playing Anti-I-Over with tennis balls thrown over the roof, balls frequently going down the chimney on the closed-up side and being lost. Would that someone had photgraphed the pile of balls which was found when the Dole Wing was added and that closed-up fireplace opened!

A bequest from Miss Gordon and a donation from Walter Robinson provided financial support for this part of the building, which served as dining room and lecture space and also provide much-needed bedrooms upstairs. Two dormitory buildings of the Fryeburg Academy were also rented for housing; and Miss Bradley, Mrs. Towle, and several other Fryeburg people still rented rooms to anyone who preferred the quiet of a private home to either of the other alternatives.

The number of people grew. In 1930, 198 people registered. In 1932, there were over 100 in the traditional Assembly photograph. 1932 was the year of the total eclipse of the sun, and the session was increased to three weeks to last until August 31 to include the day of the eclipse, which was viewed from the intervale in New Hampshire. Mr. Asa Goddard, a scientist and astronomer, was on the spot with suggestions of things to observe about the sky, the shadows on the earth, the behavior of birds. Each person was given a pair of special dark glasses.

Three-week sessions now became the practice, and as need for living space increased, private cabins were built. The first had been put up in 1931 be Mr. & Mrs. Asa Goddard. Soon came Faxon, Bellows, Claxton, and Hinckley (out in the woods beyond the boys' tents, no longer in existence). Additions to the property proceeded. When the Emily H. Taft legacy was received, the trustees wished to buy 10 acres from just beyond the entrance to the NH state line. This would protect our pristine well, and shield our property from development on that side. At first, this land was priced too high for the budget because of its fine stand of excellent timber. But in 1938, the hurricane leveled about half the timber and the price was lowered to an affordable amount, and brought our total acreage up to 22.

In the early days, lectures were held in the front part of the Dining Hall, Among the first lecturers were the Reverands Everett Brad, Louis Dole, Clinton Hay, John Whitehead, and William Worcester.

For many years, Anita Dole was the teacher of the young people's class which was on the front lawn in good weather. (There was little street noise in those days.) Florence Whitehead took the children's classes.

Mrs. Norman Goddard was the super-efficient Dining Hall supervisor. Flames who wished to could wait on tables to defray part of their expenses. The cooks were usually from the Fryeburg Society, Emma Haley being one, whose farmer husband donated many fresh vegetables including ample supplies of corn on the cob. Old timers will also fondly remember other cooks: Mary Valladares and her husband Joe, Helen Libby, and Ruby Heath. Traditional menus included Saturday baked bean suppers on the lawn and a once-a-week New England boiled dinner (corned beef, cabbage, beets, turnips, potatoes boiled together) followed the next day by red flannel hash made from the leftovers. 

Greeting and good-bye songs were sung at the table, and if you were late to a meal, your were sung to and had to stand up as penance (except for Rev. Mr. Hite who absolutely and stubbornly refused to stand, which at first provided sport for the teens, but eventually Mr. Hite was ignored when late).

The teens perpetrated the typical harmless pranks, such as short-sheeting beds, but on occasion potentially dangerous ones, such as transporting a heavy sleeper [ed. note: Steve Perry], cot and all across the river, where he awoke the next morning. Considering that the river can rise rapidly overnight and become a raging torrent, this was not a good idea!

Boys and girls now slept in rows of old army tents, the boys in the woods just beyond where the Mack Cabin now is, and the girls along the driveway where the Taft, Woofenden, and Bray Cabins now stand. Boys had a small dressing room upstairs in the Main Building, and the girls dressing room was over the kitchen where the Cooks Quarters is now. Several adults also pitched tents in various spots. In subsequent years, Florence Murdoch and Catherine Snow built the Murdoch Cabin, and a bequest from Frances Twitchell, long-time treasurer of the Assembly, helped fund a double cabin that bears her name. In 1955, the Bray Cabin was built in memory of Mr. Bray's wife, Orah, who had died the previous year while attending the Assembly. The Woofenden Cabin was erected at the same time. Lawrence Cabin (1963) and the Perry Cabin (1976) were built by Pauline Lawrence and by Fred & Nancy Perry respectively.

In 1940, Rev. Louis Dole, who had from founding been president of the Assembly (also handyman, opener and closer of the camp — his wife Anita doing the cleaning of the Main Building and cabins, the planning of meals, and the purchase of groceries and supplies) resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Kuenzli. Only one session was held under his leadership because World War II made leisure travel impossible. The camp was closed until 1946, by which time, Rev. Kuenzli had died. Rev. Dole took the presidency again for one year, and then F. Gardiner Perry took over.

As a memorial for Betts Chalmers, former camper and Flame, the teen rec hall, Chalmers Lodge, was built in 1940. In 1962, the Mack Cabin was built. Now the teen boys had in one side their own bathroom and dressing room; in the other side was a dressing room and bath for the little boys who had their own tent on that side of it, and were supervised by their own dorm mother or father.

The Goddard Annex (1959) built in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Norma Goddard, provided the Girls Dorm above and a play room for the children below. In 1986, the concrete platform where the big boys tent had stood, was used to as the base for the Boys Bunkhouse [ed. Note: which is now our art building].

In 1964, Rev. Dr. George F. Dole was elected president. That year, the Dole Wing, with adult lounge on the first floor and two bedrooms and a bath on the second, was built in honor of Rev. Louis Dole, who had died the year before. The Perry Wing was soon added in 1968 in memory of Helen and Gardiner Perry. It has two handicapped-accessible bedrooms with private lavatories. A wheelchair ramp was also added to the front porch.

In 1974, Rev. George McCurdy was elected president, and during his tenure, the lecture hall, was built. Originally called "Founders Hall" in memory of people who couldn't be honored by separate buildings. [ed. note: it was renamed Whitehead Hall in 2010.]

Rev. Dr. William R. "Bill" Woofenden was president form 1979 to 1986. In 1982, the session returned to two weeks for economic reasons.

Campsites with water and elictrical hook-ups were cleared near the NH state line, and a double Bath House was put up to accommodate camper and tent dwellers.

In 1984, it was learned that a housing development was being planned for the property just over the NH line. The Trustees, with Fred Perry as chairman, sold acreage at the north end of the property (former site of the Hinckley Cabin) to long-time members Ed & Wendy Schnurr, and three residential building lots over the state line in New Hampshire were bought as a buffer zone and possible site for more cabins. The Boston Cabin and the Laird Cabin now occupy two of those lots. 

In 1987, Rev. Dr. George F. Dole again became president, followed in 1990 by Rev. Jim Lawrence, in 1991 by Rev. Dr. Gardiner Perry, and in 1995 by Ellen Morin.

Currently, under the rules of the Saco Valley Commission, we already have more than the allowable number of buildings on the Maine portion of the property, except possibly somewher very near the road between the entrance driveway and the state line. The only remaining buildable lot is the third New Hampshire property lot. Our recent projects have meant the expenditure of much money and labor to improve the safety of the buildings, and to bring the septic and water systems up to code. These improvements would have been impossible without the tireless chairman of the Trustees, David Richardson, who has spent uncountable hours overseeing and working on all recent improvement projects. 

The program of the Assembly remains what it set out to provide: two lectures daily with Wednesday off for outings, classes for children and teens, organized recreation, arts and crafts, swimming and canoeing, scenic drives, hikes, mountain climbing.

The educational features have always been the core and reason for existence of the Assembly, but the social values are perhaps what has established the camp in the hearts of all of us. The Flames and Sparks activites, Outing Day, canoeing and swimming, porch sitting, and all the many other things we have done together over the years have given us lifelong friendships and put a love in our hearts which brings us back, perhaps even after many years have elapsed, to this magic place.