There is a deep, abiding love that draws people to the lands and gardens of the Preserve—a connection that goes beyond admiration and becomes something more personal, more meaningful. These spaces have a way of capturing hearts. Linda and Bob Thayer have not only experienced this connection firsthand—they have spent decades nurturing it.
For the Thayers, both teachers in Massachusetts, their connection to the Preserve began during their summer jobs at Acadia National Park in1982. By the late 1980s they knew this was a place they could settle and purchased a home in Pretty Marsh. Over the years their discovery and love of the carriage road system led to a photo book “Acadia’s Carriage Roads” and the connection to the then developing Land & Garden Preserve.
Linda’s association with the Preserve started in 2006 with a chance encounter with longtime friends Helen and Bill Townsend while shopping in Ellsworth. Helen, who worked as a docent at Thuya Lodge, asked Linda if she would consider becoming a docent. Initially hesitant, Linda later reconsidered, inspired by the idea that “there are no coincidences.” That night, she called Helen and agreed to give it a try. That decision led to two decades of her sharing the history of the Lodge with visitors, a tradition that began in 1931.
Linda’s role as a docent has been more than just seasonal work, it has been a labor of love. She recalls her first day at the Lodge, meeting local resident John Hewlett, who immediately sensed she would return year after year. The role was a perfect fit. She found joy in engaging visitors, learning from their own stories and experiences, and, most especially, in drawing in hesitant guests—often husbands reluctant to step inside, only to become engrossed in the craftsmanship of the Lodge.
The Thayers’ passion for Thuya Lodge goes beyond its role as a rustic retreat. They relish its surprises—the period furnishings and its storied past. Visitors often mistake the Lodge for accommodations, surprised to find it rich with history instead. Bob loves steering visitors toward it, often quipping, “Make sure you go inside. The docent there knows everything. And I have to say that because she’s my wife.”
When the Preserve established the garden greeter program in 2021 to help manage visitors during the pandemic, Linda was tapped to help organize this important new group of employees. She recruited many of her friends and her husband Bob. “They’re the busiest people,” she notes, “yet they find time for this.” Bob, who spent 38 years as a park interpreter, sees parallels between his former role and being a greeter—sharing information but allowing visitors to discover the magic for themselves. “We’re here for the same reason,” Bob reflects, “to share and make each visit special.”
The greeter program continues to this day because our guests appreciate the friendly welcome and information at the garden entrances. Currently 20 greeters are employed
across all three gardens.
The Thayers’ deep appreciation for the gardens and their history is evident in everything they do. They cherish the people they work with, the visitors they meet, and the beauty they help preserve. For them, it’s more than a job—it’s a shared passion, continuous discovery, and enriching experiences. “You couldn’t ask for a better place to work,” Linda says.
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