Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-27

II vi CSt SloNc II was ttiS
site of the old mansion and its APP
proaches and included the particular
spot. which Mr.. Blaine so much loved.
1t was expected at the time of the
purchase that Mr.. Blaine's remains
would be brought to Augusta but this
was not done and when Mrs. Blaine
died in Augusta seven years later her
remains were taken to Oak Hill Gem
etery.
This lot passed under Mrs. Blaine's
will to her two daughters, Margaret
Blaine Damrosch and Harriet Blaine
Beale.- her son James G. Blaine, and
her two grandsons, children of her
daughter Alice, James G. Blaine Cop
pinger and Conner Walker Coping
err. The lot was retained by those
members of the family.
1t was left for the Great War. for
the death of Walker Blaine Beale on
the fighting line in France in that
great war, for the generous impulses
of loving mother and for the en-
kindled gratitude~of this State to
bring about what so many had
wished could be done.
The request of the State contained
in the Resolve was communicated to
the family and with deep appreciation
approved. and every detail connected
with the Memorial has been taken up
with and approved by them.
In September of last year Henry
H. Hill, of this city, made q very
careful topographic survey and delin-
Gated plan which with numerous
photographs of the lot from different
angles gave most complete data for
the use of the landscape architect.
The service of Olmstead Brothers, of
Brookline, Mass, who have national
reputation and who have made the
designs for the grounds of the Blaine
Mansion and for the State Park in
this city, were obtained. After con-
ferences with Governor Milliken and
members and representatives of the
family, at which the fundamental
idea, the form it had best take, and
suggestions as to detail were careful
ly considered. a preliminary plan was
submitted by Olmstead Brothers,
and this plan with changes of some
details has met with approval and
accompanies this description of the
Memorial
The site of the old mansion made
terrace, which we will for descrip-
tive purposes call the mansion ter
race, above the old driveway. The
graves were located in this terrace a
little ways back from the two granite
steps referred to but recently re-
moved. The driveway in front has
the same level and location as the old
driveway but its north and south
sides running out to Blaine Avenue
were relocated so as to make a true
and symmetrical arc. Some of the
elms which bordered the inner side
of the old driveway now border the
outer side of the new driveway and
new line of elms has been put in to
make a border for the inner side of
the new driveway. AS years go on
this new driveway should be as beau
tifhl as the old. 1t is the approach
from Blaine Avenue and is the only
way for carriages.
From the brow of the hill the bank
down the-Cemetery on the east has
four terraces. AS the growth and
shrubbery which has been gathering
for years on these terraces were re
moved three flights OF old granite
steps were discovered leading down
over the upper three terraces. They
obviously had been placed there by
John Davis and must have been a
part of an approach to the mansion
from Green street and the town be-
low and were doubtless ornamented
with flowers and shrubs. 1t was at
once seen that this could be made a
very beautiful approach to the Me-
mortal and was. judging from the
way visitors were using the terraces.
necessary. 1t will be noted that one
of the broad driveways of the Gene
terry below the Memorial leading up
the hill and to the west is in line
with these flights. For the proper eff
feet there should be a fight up the
lowest terrace in line with the other
three. The lot at the foot of this low
est terrace had been sold but fortu-
nately not used. John H. May, an old
time resident Of Augusta, was the
owner. 1t was ascertained that one
half of this lot was sufficient for his
plans and SO he reserved the south
part Of the lot and conveyed the