Firth House
Rent the Firth House
Request a reservation by contacting us at info@surfpoint.me.
The Firth House is a furnished waterfront home at Surf Point’s oceanfront campus in York Harbor, Maine. Set directly at the water’s edge, the house has expansive ocean views from nearly every room and a deck that wraps around the entire ocean-facing side of the main floor.
The house accommodates up to four guests and includes two bedrooms, with a third bedroom available by request, two full bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and generous living and dining spaces.
The house accommodates up to four guests and includes two full bathrooms, a small private office, a fully equipped kitchen, and generous living and dining spaces. It is furnished with a mix of new and collected pieces, including an original Eames chair, artwork by Surf Point co-founder Beverly Hallam, works that came to Surf Point with the Firth property, and work by Surf Point alumni. Select artworks are available for purchase. Linens, towels, utilities, and basic household necessities are included.
The Firth House is available for week-long rentals. Guests are welcome to stay for all or part of the week, but the cost is fixed. This allows flexibility in arrival and departure while keeping scheduling and turnover manageable for Surf Point’s small staff. Rental rates are set on a weekly basis and vary by season, with higher rates from June through September and discounted rates during the colder months.
We welcome renters who will care for the house and respect the quiet, peaceful environment that supports Surf Point’s residency program. All rental proceeds directly support Surf Point’s programming.
Basic Info
Capacity: 4 - 6 guests
Reservations: We prefer not to rent for less than one week.
Price range: $2,000 – $4,000 per week rental dependent on season + $500 cleaning fee
Central Living and Dining Area: Two couches, small smart TV, dining table with six seats
Outdoor spaces: Ocean-facing wraparound deck and back deck with grill
Bedrooms: 3
Room one: Queen ensuite primary bedroom
Room two: Queen bedroom with separate bath
Room three: Set up as office, can provide two twin floor mattresses by request
Bathrooms: 2 full
Included: Utilities, linens, towels, washer and dryer, dishwasher, grill, snow removal, Wi-Fi, landline (cell service is limited), ample closet space
Accessibility: Outdoor stairs or an indoor spiral staircase are required to reach the main living level. The indoor spiral staircase separates the main living space upstairs from a small mudroom and garage on the ground floor.
Parking: Ample driveway parking + 1 garage space
Floor Plan of Main Floor
Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom overlooks the ocean, with large windows and direct access to the wraparound deck. An attached full bathroom provides additional privacy and convenience.
Second Bedroom
The second bedroom also faces the water, with expansive ocean views and direct access to the deck.
Office (or Third Bedroom)
A small private office provides a dedicated place for remote work, reading, or writing, with views toward the water. Two twin folding foam mattresses can be provided upon quest for those wanting to use this as a sleeping space.
Central Living and Dining Area
The main living and dining space has vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and windows overlooking the ocean. Sliding doors open directly onto the waterfront deck. The dining table seats six. A large stone fireplace anchors the living room as an architectural feature but is not functional.
Kitchen and Laundry Area
The full kitchen is completely equipped for cooking and longer stays, with cookware, dishes, glassware, and other everyday kitchen essentials provided. A washer and dryer are located in the entryway just off the kitchen.
Outdoor Spaces
A deck wraps continuously around the ocean-facing side of the main floor, with direct access from several rooms. Just beyond the house is a private rocky beach. A Weber grill is available for guest use. The Firth House is reached by a long driveway with ample outdoor parking, as well as one garage parking space.
Request a reservation by contacting us at info@surfpoint.me.
History
In 2026, Surf Point reached a significant milestone with the acquisition of the adjoining Firth property, made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the Firth family. The expansion brings together two neighboring oceanfront properties while furthering Surf Point’s stewardship of the cultural and natural heritage of this stretch of the Maine coast.
Until early 2026, the property belonged to the family of Vic Firth (1930–2015) and Olga Firth (1935–2026), accomplished musicians who played timpani and cello, respectively. Alongside many achievements in performance and teaching, Vic was a longtime member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Together, the Firths established Vic Firth Incorporated, the world’s largest manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets.
The Firths built their oceanfront home in the early 1970s, around the same time that Surf Point’s founders, arts patron Mary-Leigh Smart and artist and educator Beverly Hallam, constructed their neighboring residence.
Surf Point is deeply grateful to Olga Firth and her daughters, Kelly DeChristopher and Tracy Firth, whose generosity and shared commitment to supporting artists made the acquisition possible.
The addition of the Firth property represents an important step in Surf Point’s evolution, with opportunities to deepen the residency program, expand public engagement, and further our stewardship of the site’s cultural and natural heritage. For a portion of the year, the renovated Firth House is available for private rental while remaining dedicated to mission-aligned programming for the majority of the year. Learn more about renting the property.
Archival photo of Surf Point co-founder Mary-Leigh Smart with Vic Firth and Kelly DeChristopher, 1981.