Medomak Camp Collection

SummaryCollection contains film of boys' summer camp activities. Medomak Camp was founded in 1904 by Frank E. Poland as a farming camp for city boys on the farm where he was born in Washington, Maine. In the early part of the 20th century Poland strove to create a challenging and rewarding outdoor experience for boys. Frank Poland ran the camp until 1958, when his assistant, Howard Hoople, took over until 1979, when it was sold to the Church of the Nazarene. Medomak was purchased by a former camper and became a public camp again in the late 1990s. Most of the early film was shot by Frank Poland. Beginning in the 1950s much of it was shot by Chet Shepard, a professional photographer and a member of the camp staff. Some of the surviving footage was taken for promotion, other footage was clearly designed for entertainment.

Biographical/Historical NotesDonor James Newton inherited the collection as a result of a family connection to the camp. His connection began with his grandfather, who went to Medomak as a counselor in 1919. James Newton also attended Medomak; his last summer was in 1978.

RepositoryNortheast Historic Film

AvailabilityThe Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and UseAuthorization to reuse and/or reproduce must be obtained from Northeast Historic Film. See http://www.oldfilm.org/research for more information.