View source for Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox military structure
|name= Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor
|partof= [[Naval Security Group]]
|location= [[Winter Harbor, Maine]]
|coordinates = {{coord|44.338|-68.062|type:landmark_region:US-ME|display=inline}}
|map_type = Maine
|image=RockefellerBuilding WinterHarborNavalStation.jpg
|caption= The "Rockefeller Building" at the former station
|image2=
|caption2=
|type=
|code=
|built= 1935
|builder=
|materials=
|height=
|used= 1935–2002
|demolished=
|condition= Standing
|ownership= [[National Park Service]]
|open_to_public= 
|controlledby= [[Acadia National Park]]
|garrison= Big Moose Island, Maine
|current_commander= James W. Guest
|commanders=
|occupants= Branch Medical Clinic, Winter Harbor; Customer Service Desk, Winter Harbor Maine; Naval Satellite Operations Center Detachment Alfa; Naval Security Support Group Detachment Two; Defense Commissary Agency, Winter Harbor, Maine; Navy Exchange, Winter Harbor, Maine
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed                = yes
| name                 = U.S. Naval Radio Station- Apartment Building and Power House
| nrhp_type            =
| image                =
| alt                  =
| caption              =
| locmapin             =
| map_alt              =
| map_caption          =
| location             =
| built                = 1935
| architect            = Grosvenor Atterbury
| architecture         = Rustic Norman
| added                = 5 July 2013
| designated_nrhp_type =
| visitation_num       =
| visitation_year      =
| refnum               = 13000533
| mpsub                = 
}}
|battles= 
|events= 
}}

'''Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor''' was a radio station of the [[United States Navy]] that operated from 1935 to 2002.

== History ==
In the early 1930s, [[Otter Cliffs Radio Station]] on [[Mount Desert Island]] was literally falling apart.<ref name="navy.mil-1063">{{cite news |url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=1063 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905013415/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=1063 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 5 September 2012 |title= End of an Era: NSGA Winter Harbor to Close Its Doors  NNS020321-08 |date= 21 March 2002 |publisher= Navy News Service |first= JO1 Sarah |last= Urban}}</ref> [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]], then developing the infrastructure of [[Acadia National Park]], sought to locate the park's main loop road through the Otter Cliffs area.<ref name=NRHP>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/13000533.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202140113/https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/13000533.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2017|title=NRHP nomination for U.S. Naval Radio Station- Apartment Building and Power House|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=21 April 2015}}</ref> The Navy was willing to meet Rockefeller halfway on the removal of the radio station from Otter Cliffs, agreeing to relocate if a suitable site could be found on the coast within {{convert|50|mi}} of Otter Cliffs.<ref name="navy.mil-1063" /> Big Moose Island, at the tip of [[Schoodic Peninsula]] about {{convert|5|mi|km}} across the mouth of [[Frenchman Bay]] from Otter Cliffs, was determined to be an ideal location for the relocated radio station, and agreement was reached between the Navy, Interior Department, and Rockefeller for the relocation.<ref name=NRHP />

Rockefeller, wishing the station's buildings to be compatible with others designed for the park, retained [[Grosvenor Atterbury]], the New York architect who designed the park's gatehouses, to come up with plans for the radio station.  Atterbury's plan for the new station included a beautiful residence hall similar to Mr. Rockefeller's residence at Seal Harbor. Artisans from all over the world contributed to the project.  This building, and the adjacent power station which was also designed by Atterbury, were listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2013.<ref name=NRHP />

On 28 February 1935, the '''U.S. Navy Radio and Direction Finding Station Winter Harbor''' was officially commissioned with Chief Radioman Max Gunn in charge of a complement of an 11&nbsp;personnel crew.<ref name="navy.mil-1063" />

The station's name has changed several times over the years. In 1944, it was changed to '''Supplementary Radio Station, U.S. Naval Radio Station Winter Harbor'''. In 1950, it became known as '''U.S. Naval Radio Station (Receiver)'''. The present station name, '''Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor''', became official on 9 June 1958.

In 2001, the base transitioned from an operational posture to focusing on the closure process, with the ultimate goal of transferring the Schoodic parcel to the [[National Park Service]]. The last System Maintenance Training Course graduated in July 2001. The [[AN/FRD-10]] [[Wullenweber]] Antenna and Classic Wizard antennas came down in August. The last service was held at the Chapel 2 September 2001, and the Foc'sle Galley served its last meal on 28 September 2001.<ref name="navy.mil-1063" />

== Redevelopment ==
After the base was closed in 2002,<ref>[https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/about/navy-schoodic-point/ "The Navy at Schoodic Point"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20190201001016/https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/about/navy-schoodic-point/ archive]). ''schoodicinstitute.org''. Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. Retrieved 31 January 2019.</ref> the National Park Service (NPS) acquired the land and established the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC). The SERC campus is managed by the nonprofit Schoodic Institute and the NPS in a public-private partnership as one of 19 NPS research learning centers in the country. The center is dedicated to supporting scientific research in the park, providing professional development for teachers, and educating students who will become the next generation of park stewards.<ref>[https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/about/mission-history/ "Schoodic Institute - Mission & History"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20190131235147/https://www.schoodicinstitute.org/about/mission-history/ archive]). ''schoodicinstitute.org''. Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. Retrieved 31 January 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.nps.gov/rlc/schoodic/index.htm "Schoodic Education and Research Center"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20181117023917/https://www.nps.gov/rlc/schoodic/index.htm archive]). ''nps.gov''. National Park Service. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2018.</ref>

== Commanders ==
*Radio Direction Finding Station:CRM M. C. Gunn, CRM O. C. Coonce, CRM F. L. Freeman, CRM J. W. Pearson, CRM/LTJG M. C. Gunn, LTJG L. A. Lankford
*Supplementary Naval Station:LTJG H. I. Maltz, CRE L. A. Newbury, LTJG M. C. Gunn, LTJG C. M. Smith, LCDR H. L. Kisner
*Naval Radio Station (Receiver):LCDR F. V. Mason, CDR K. B. Kohler, CDR S. E. Hazelett, LCDR I. E. Willis, LCDR M. C. Morris, LCDR J. L. Koon<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navycthistory.com/images/wh_decom_18_big.gif | title=Previous Officers in Charge | publisher=navycthistory.com | accessdate=20 September 2020 }}</ref>
*Naval Group Support Activity:LCDR J. L. Koon, CDR T. J. Quick, CDR C. G. Lawrence, CDR S. T. Faulkner, CDR T. F. Hahn, CDR H. J. Davis, CDR J. F. Williamson, LCDR D. K. Layman, CDR G. C. Lawrence Montgomery Jr., CAPT J. D. Wood Jr., CAPT A. D. McEachen III, CAPT M. J. Whelan Jr., CAPT R. K. Lunde, CAPT T. F. Stevens, CAPT E. R. Dittmer, CAPT H. W. Whiton, CAPT J. T. Mitchell, CDR E. J. Kurzanski, CDR S. K. Tucker, CDR M. S. Rogers, CDR E. F. Williamson, CDR J. W. Guest<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navycthistory.com/images/wh_decom_16_big.jpg | title=A Brief History of NSGA Winter Harbor | publisher=navycthistory.com | accessdate=20 September 2020 }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Hancock County, Maine]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Acadia National Park]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes
|list =
{{US Navy navbox}}
{{Hancock County, Maine}}
{{FmrMEMilitary}}
}}

[[Category:Military installations in Maine]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hancock County, Maine]]
[[Category:Military facilities on the National Register of Historic Places in Maine]]
[[Category:1935 establishments in Maine]]
[[Category:2002 disestablishments in Maine]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hancock County, Maine]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Acadia National Park]]
[[Category:Communications and electronic installations of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Winter Harbor, Maine]]
[[Category:Military installations closed in 2002]]
[[Category:Closed installations of the United States Navy]]