In 1901, a Universalist minister wandered into the wooded pine grove at Ferry Beach and knew it to be a magical place where people would gather together for centuries for rest, relaxation, reflection,
​and renewal. 

1882	​First Universalist Summer Meeting held under leadership of Dr. Quillen Hamilton Shinn at Methodist summer quarters at The Weirs in New Hampshire.
1897	​Summer Meeting site moved to Saratoga Springs, NY and Dr. Shinn begins his search for a permanent site.
1901	​Dr. Shinn located Ferry Beach site. The twentieth annual meeting held here as guests of the Boston and Maine Railroad, owners of the property. Fundraising efforts begun to make purchase of the property possible.
1904	​Ferry Beach House purchased from the railroad and renamed the Quillen.
1909	​Summer Meeting Association incorporated and renamed the Ferry Beach Park Association of Universalists.
1911	​Underwood House built and named in honor of Carrie P. Underwood, a benefactor of the Beach.
1916	​The Grove purchased from the railroad.
1920	Quillen Annex built.
1927	​Rowland Hall built and named in honor of Dr. William R. Rowland, president of the Association from 1919 until his death in 1925.
1945	​Claflin Cottage purchased and named in honor of Edward P. Claflin, a former board member and a benefactor of the Beach.
1946	Gardiner Cottage purchased and named in honor of Marion L. Gardiner who bequeathed funds for its purchase.
1975	​Rose Pavilion built in the Grove and named in honor of William Wallace Rose, minister of the Lynn (MA) Universalist church for 30 years.
1976	​Quillen Lobby remodeled and dedicated to Edward Hempel, longtime treasurer and Executive Secretary of the Association.
1979	Sand dune restoration project begun.
1986-2001	​Capital Fund Drive held; Manning Cottage purchased and named for Robert Manning. Cottage has since been sold.
1990	​Dining Room built and named in honor of the Rev. Earle Dolphin, longtime Ferry Beacher and resident musician. Health Center and Children's Room relocated and renovated; sewer connections completed for all buildings and Grove sites; the Stone Environmental School begins renting the property in the off-season.
1995-2003	​Rowland Hall remodeled and other major improvements undertaken to meet fire codes. Construction continues to date as we continue to meet fire codes and safety requirements.
1998	​Ferry Beach Ecology School begins.
2002-2003	​Completely remodeled Quillen from top to bottom, including accessible bathrooms and a new lobby.
2003	Built a new store at Claflin.
2004	​Created the Memorial Garden, built Kelley Cottage – a “green” building and the first new building at Ferry Beach in over 30 years.
2004-2005	​Installed new playground equipment.
2005	​Built a handicapped accessible bathroom in Underwood, renovated the tennis/basketball court, renovated both Grove wash houses.
2006	​Renovated the Eleanor B. Forbes Chapel in the Grove, thanks to a generous donation.
2006	​Built handicapped accessible ramps and walkways at Underwood and Gardiner.
2007	Renovated Rowland Auditorium and renamed it “The GAYLA Theatre.”
2009	​Commenced improvements envisioned within the 2nd Century Fund Capital Campaign, beginning with the fortification of our primary dunes.
2009-2010	​Remodeled the Rowland Hall dormitory space.
2010	​Began site excavation and foundation work for new Metz Village, Dining Hall, and Nurse's Cabin.
2011	DeWolfe Dining Facility and Metz Village complete. Nurse's cabin settled in new site.
2014	All of the premium housing: 5 Morris, Claflin, Metz cabins, and Kelley renovated and refurbished, turned into guest housing (from staff housing) in the summer months. This created funds as well as demand for more premium housing.
2015	Board of Ferry Beach decided not to renew the contract with our long term tenant, the Ferry Beach Ecology School later named The Ecology School. Contract will end at the end of 2018. The Ecology School had been a part of Ferry Beach for about 20 years.
2015	Hopkins’ house renovations turned home into 4 bedrooms with 4 private baths, 2 completely handicapped accessible. Renamed John Cross Cottage in 2015 in honor of Tom Alison’s partner John Cross. John’s legacy gifts to Tom has made it possible for Tom to support Ferry Beach.
2016	Renovation of Quillen bathrooms, hallways and light fixtures. Renovation of bathhouse in back of Grove.
2017	Roof replacements from 2014-2017 on all major buildings.
2017	​Metz Family (Bill Metz, Elizabeth McNab and Margaret Munroe) name themselves the caretakers of the Metz Village and contribute regularly to the upkeep of the property. They encourage Ferry Beach to set aside 10% of proceeds to upkeep of the cottages.
2017	Board adopts a new mission statement, reflective of the changes made by the UUA to disaffiliate all camps and conferences in 2005.
2018	Members adopt new mission statement and Articles of Incorporation at the Annual Meeting.
2018	​Articles of Incorporation, restated and submitted by Ferry Beach are approved by the State of Maine.
2018	Boardwalk near the Quillen building at the end of Ferry Park Avenue washed out to sea. Plans to put ADA boardwalk on the Morris side of the campus.
2018	Renovation of the Pavilion in the Grove. Almost complete redo except for the foundation. All walls, roof and fireplace removed and replaced. Added a sound system to the chapel in the Grove.
2018	Electrical in Grove replaced in B-C areas with new box and local boxes at each campsite.
2018	Ecology School leaves at the end of 2018. They removed trees, bushes and shrubs from the garden along with greenhouse, storage house and other plantings.
2019	​Kelley Cottage office that had been the Ecology School office renovated for Ferry Beach staff and create a conference area for summer guests.
2019	​Quillen Annex is removed. The addition was not built adequately and was falling off the main part of the building. Landscaping and new roof added to part of the building which houses the Dolphin Room.
2019	Nurses Cabin is turned into Art Room space as Quillen Annex is removed. Art room had been in the old kitchen in the Quillen Annex.
2020	The COVID-19 pandemic virtually shut down Ferry Beach for an entire season and caused losses of over $1.8million in revenue.  Ferry Beach was able to retain their staff and worked on creative ways to connect members and groups electronically as well as tackle some of the facility projects that have been on hold.
2021	With the COVID-19 vaccine now readily available, the organization was able to reopen its doors to guests in 2021 and welcomed back approximately 60% of our guests.
2022	Ferry Beach renovated the Murray room and South Room in Rowland Hall to give the spaces a much more modern and updated look.
2022	COVID-19 variants continue to evade containment and cause spikes in case counts across the globe. Despite the ongoing challenge, the 2022 season was at nearly 100% of the pre-pandemic levels.