Stories about "Historic Campus Map"
A 1910 view of the Bates College campus
A tale of two trees (and one map)

Thursday, January 29, 2026 4:06 pm

For at least 151 years, a hemlock and its close neighbor, a red oak, have grown up together on the Bates campus, close enough to overlap branches, while buildings popped up around them. Their survival is a mystery but thanks to a new interactive historic map of Bates, their shared history can at least be glimpsed.

Trees of Bates: A History Tour, August 27th at 10am-11am Meet up location: Front steps of Hathorn Hall Come join us as we explore the evolution of the trees on campus from the farmland beginnings to the lush campus of today. Pat Webber, Director of Archives and Special Collections, will discuss the early years of tree planting and various tree traditions. Christine Murray, a Maine Master Naturalist and Ladd’s own Social Sciences Librarian, will be on hand to discuss the natural history of our trees and the challenges they face including issues of disease. No need to sign up! See all our upcoming events here! Please let me know if you have any questions! All the best, Caitlin -- Caitlin Lampman Education & Engagement Archivist Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections, Bates College Also featuring College Archivist Pat Webber
The way back Bates machine

Thursday, October 2, 2025 4:09 pm

Staff at the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library love giving walking tours of the campus. They function like walking Bates encyclopedias, dropping tidbits about everything from which building was the first one on Frye Street to which are the oldest trees on campus.