WHO WE ARE… The Parsons Family
Our family has roots in Maine that extend back at least 250 years on Westport Island previously called Jeremysquam. Pam’s ancestors, William and Robbins Heal, ran Heal’s Lower Mill, one of the 5 tidal lumber mills on the island. It was located just below the wharf of the Bath Steamer landing called “The Junction”, hence the name Junction Road, where her aunt, cousins and extended family still live. Although only the dam and pilings remain now, it was once a thriving essential business. At its peak of production in 1850, it went on for the next 45 years to provide boards for building homes and businesses sawn from logs and meal ground from corn.
Historic Heal Lower Mill Dam Site Permanently Protected by Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
Here is what the mill looked like at peak production in 1850, Only the dam and pilings remain today
These tidal mills were operated with gates that were opened to allow the ponds above the dams to fill by the incoming tides. Then, at high water, the gates were closed and the water going out through the sluice turned the water wheels to operate the mill. This meant working hours were regulated by the tides rather than by the clock.
Some of Pam’s earliest memories were spent on this property in the oldest of the three homes left to her grandmother and her two sisters. Eventually, they were passed on to their children and their children’s children. A thriving family compound is still there today.
When Pam married David Parsons, they and their 4 children continued to spend at least some time every summer in Maine. It was her youngest, Sean however, who truly shared her devotion to all things Maine. On April 4th, 2023, we purchased the Admiral’s Quarters and the Greenleaf Inn. Our hope and our intention is to carefully and loving renovate and restore these iconic inns into the beautiful elegant places we know they can be welcoming travelers from all over the world to share in the beauty and majesty of this remarkable area. As my father, Guy Howe, used to instill in us, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” That means attention to detail and time.
