Rachel Field, Hitty, and the Cranberry Isles

Another banner day in the life of The Field House! I lugged two boxes of books out to Cranberry Isles, Maine last week, where Rachel Field’s famous Hitty doll was born (in her fictional life). There are five Cranberry Islands, and I got to two of them: Sutton, of course, and Great Cranberry (Islesford – give me a call!). Sutton held our annual island meeting and a belated 50th anniversary celebration of the neighborhood association, APSI (Association for the Preservation of Sutton Island). I was so happy that the book about Rachel’s life, largely set on magical Sutton Island, could be a part of the  festivities.

The next day we headed to Great Cranberry for a more formal presentation in the Cranberry House meeting hall, upstairs from the historical society museum with its Rachel Field collections and giant Hitty doll. I had a number of very special audience members.

·      Three Sutton Islanders living in Bunchberry Bungalow, Rachel’s first Sutton home of 11 years, arrived a tiny bit late, delayed by the bailing of their boat after the huge deluge of rain. Bravo for island perseverance!
·      Constance, drove over from Jonesport with her perfect little Hitty reproduction doll, who seemed to enjoy the talk as much as Constance. I’ve never been a doll person, but this little lady won me over. I feel privileged to have held her in my hands. She was made by the talented Gail Wilson, gailwilsondesigns.com. Doll enthusiasts: check out Gail’s website!
·      Lydia has just moved with her young family to GCI as a full-time resident, and happened to move into the home of Bruce Komusin! For those who follow the story of the book closely, you know that Bruce was instrumental in creating the GCI museum, Cranberry House, and was an avid collector of Rachel Field books and archival materials. It was Bruce who gave me Rachel’s voice on the radio recording that I share with audiences. Sadly, he did not live to see the book in print.

Rachel continues to guide my way, introducing to me to wonderful people, connecting me in expanding circles to this beautiful state of Maine.