Name/Title
"The Meeting House" by Forrest OrrEntry/Object ID
1978.23.8Description
A framed and matted watercolor painting of the interior of the Harpswell Meeting House by Forrest Orr. On the reverse a handwritten label reads, "THE MEETING HOUSE, HARPSWELL 1758 N.F.S." Another caption reading, "South Harpswell, Me" has been added in pencil. Dorian, the donor's last name, is written on the back in green marker.
The painting shows the interior of the town's meeting house including the high, dark green, pulpit with its back board backed by the arched window. Pews line the walls on either side of the pulpit. The wood frame is painted a distressed gray. Two American flags are present to the right of the pulpit.
Undated.Collection
PHC Art CollectionLexicon
Search Terms
Harpswell Meeting House, WatercolorExhibitions
Exhibition
Labor of Love: Creating Art and CommunityNotes
The old town meeting house in Harpswell, ME was constructed in 1759, and is the oldest building designed to provide a space for town meetings and religious services in the State of Maine. Orr’s family may have aided in the construction of the building as the community was small at the time it was erected. The watercolor interior scene showcases the green pulpit in the center, placing a somewhat holy light on the room as it is bathed in the sun shining through the windows. The care and devotion Orr had in creating this piece is palpable from the first viewing but grows as you spend more time meditating on the brushwork and use of light.