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Trading hist y

and n talgia on Deer Isle

By Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker
Phot s by Ronald Harte

The old red shingled building instantly captures the attention of those traveling Route 15 into Deer Isle. What was once the Deer Isle
volunteer fire department is now home to Ronald Harte Antiques. The old firehouse is a veritable portal to the past, brimming with
treasures that capture one’s eye. Each personally curated artifact is eager to whisper its stories if you lend your ear. The fascinating
trifecta of curator-building-artifact is all carefully brought together here in this tiny coastal town by owner Ronald Harte.
Harte purchased the building in 2014 and made a minimal amount of renovations in order to preserve the integrity of the building
which allows the interior to naturally showcase his diverse collection. Not one to follow design trends Ronald buys what speaks to
him. His greatest passion admittedly is chairs. “I’m a noted chairist,” Ronald said “however, I’m always looking for the unusual.”

Ronald’s life itself is unusual and rich in experience and diversity. Some could say his life up to now has been the “stuff of dreams.”
Upon his college graduation he worked and gained experience in the apparel business and spent two years working for the famed
Ralph Lauren. This opportunity would ultimately lead him in another direction professionally and he found himself working inter-
nationally interior design for the next 30 years.

Ronald is now, as he so passionately confirms, “living the dream.” Not one to follow trends, his collection is eclectic and “nods to
my aesthetic.” In a time of antique “super malls” his shop offers a more personal approach. His enthusiasm for what he does and how
he lives is genuine, as is his love for Maine and his Deer Isle community. “There is a glorious and authentic quality about Maine.”
he said. This admiration paired with the appreciation of a “diverse community of people who live authentically inspired Ronald to
make the jump to move to Maine permanently.

Ronald’s collection can be viewed at the Old Firehouse, 12 N. Deer Isle Road., Deer Isle, beginning Memorial Day, Wed – Sun,
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. or by chance/appointment.

An eclectic assortment at
Ronald Harte Antiques

The old red shingled firehouse
building in Deer Isle, that now
houses Ronald Harte Antiques

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