History

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In 1764, Col. Benjamin Shute purchased 100 acres of land on the magnificent Penobscot Bay. He built a portion of what is known today as The Farm at French’s Point, now the oldest wooden structure in Waldo County.

Fearing attack during the French and Indian War, the Shute family built an underground escape tunnel leading from the house to the shore. Later, the tunnel was used by slaves traveling the underground railroad from the south to freedom in the north, and then by rum-runners during prohibition in the 1920s.

In 1883, the Universalist Church of Bangor bought several acres of land on French’s Point near The Farm and built a retreat cottage for the church community known as The Hersey Retreat. This building burned to the ground on the 4th of July 1908.

In 1909, the Church had retained premier Maine architect, Wilfred E. Mansur, to design and oversee the construction of a beautiful and spacious shingle-style estate cottage. Over time, French’s Point became known for its stunning views and as a fashionable summer gathering place. For more than 50 years, the location was a favorite for weddings, family reunions, retreats, camps and conferences.

In July 2002, the property was sold to the Brooks family, who owned a family cottage on French’s Point for 70 years. In 2003, the Brooks family restored The Farm at French’s Point. This upscale rental property is now used for a variety of destination gatherings.

The Brooks family began meticulous restoration and expansion of the second estate cottage in 2005. In 2006, it reopened as The Retreat at French’s Point – a venue for exceptional gatherings, conferences, and weddings.

Today, French’s Point continues to be an ideal location for conferences, reunions, retreats, weddings, holidays and gatherings of all kinds. This stunning location has charmed its visitors for over one hundred years and will continue to do so for many years to come.