Firth House

Rent the Firth House

History

In 2026, Surf Point acquired the adjoining the oceanfront property from the Vic and Olga Firth family, who owned the property since the early 1970s. Vic Firth (1930 - 2015) was an accomplished timpanist and longtime member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Olga Firth (1935 - 2026) was an accomplished cellist and teacher. Together, the Firths established Vic Firth Incorporated, the world's largest manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets.

The Firths built their oceanfront home (see below) in the early 1970s, at the same time that Surf Point's founders constructed their neighboring residence. A small yellow cottage, dating to the 1940s, sits inland near the marsh, awaiting a future chapter of its own. The 2.5 acre property is a significant milestone in Surf Point's history, made possible in part through the generous philanthropic support of Olga Firth, Kelly DeChristopher and Tracy Firth, whose generosity and shared commitment to supporting artists helped make this acquisition possible. The expansion creates exciting opportunities to advance our mission, deepen our support for visual artists and arts professionals, and steward the cultural and natural heritage of an extraordinary stretch of the Maine coast.

Together with alum Carly Glovinski’s Wild Knoll Foundation Garden, which honors the legacy of poet and author May Sarton (1912–1995), the expanded campus brings together the remarkable histories of artists, musicians, writers, and arts patrons connected to this coastal landscape. Firmly grounded in our commitment to the visual arts, we see opportunities to deepen our residency program, expand public engagement, and further our stewardship of the site's cultural and natural heritage.

We are taking time to understand the history, architecture, and landscape of the connected property, explore its potential for future programs, and develop a strategic and financially responsible plan for its long-term stewardship. As a growing organization, we recognize the significance of this undertaking and intend to proceed thoughtfully. In the meantime, the renovated Firth house is available for limited private rentals throughout the year, while remaining dedicated to mission-aligned programming for the majority of the year.

Basic Rental Info

The Firth House is part of Surf Point’s 45 acre oceanfront campus in York Harbor, Maine. The house has expansive ocean views, a wrap-around deck, an open plan living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms. Artwork by Beverly Hallam, residency alumni and from the Firth family adorn the walls, some of which are available for purchase.

Capacity: 4 - 6 guests. Preference to people who will care for this unique property and maintain the peaceful environment that supports our residency program.
Reservations: Weekly rentals are available. Rates vary dependent upon season. All proceeds directly support Surf Point’s programs. Contact us to discuss.
Central Living/Dining: Two couches, small smart TV, dining table for six
Outdoor space: Ocean-facing wraparound deck and back deck with grill, cultivated plants and green space.
Bedrooms:
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

Available Dates

The dates listed below indicate periods when the Firth House is unoccupied and available for rental. Guests may request any dates within these ranges and do not need to reserve the entire period. Stays of at least one week are preferred.

To inquire about dates, rates, and booking details, please fill use the following link to complete a short form: Request a Reservation . All reservations are subject to confirmation and a rental agreement.

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Oceanfront shingle-style house with balcony, stone chimney, landscaped lawn, and coastal views

Gray seaside cottage with a wraparound deck, white railings, stone chimney, and ocean view under a blue sky

White coastal house with a raised deck and stairs beside a rocky shoreline and calm blue water

Gray-shingled house with a white-railed deck, landscaped garden, and paved walkway under a blue sky

Panoramic rocky coastline with grassy foreground, calm blue ocean, sailboat, and clear blue sky

Gray-shingled coastal home with a garage, deck, landscaped garden, and ocean view under a bright blue sky

Coastal shingle-style house with wraparound deck, stone chimney, and rocky shoreline under a blue sky

Rocky ocean shoreline framed by green coastal vegetation under a bright blue sky

Gray-shingled coastal house with a wraparound deck overlooking rocky shoreline and the ocean

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.

Bright modern bedroom with a light wood bed, striped area rug, lounge chair, abstract wall art, large windows, and balcony doors.

Oceanfront bedroom with a bed, leather lounge chair, striped rug, sliding glass doors, and balcony overlooking the sea

Second Bedroom

The second bedroom also faces the water, with expansive ocean views and direct access to the deck.

Bright bedroom with a neatly made bed, ocean-view balcony, bedside lamps, framed artwork, and hardwood floor.

Bright coastal bedroom with a neatly made bed, wooden furnishings, and sliding glass doors opening to an ocean-view balcony.

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.

Coastal living room with desk, armchair, patterned sofa, artwork, and ocean views through sliding glass doors

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.

Coastal living room with exposed beams, stone fireplace, gray sofa, armchairs, hardwood floors, and ocean views through large windows.

Bright open-concept living room with a stone fireplace, exposed dark wood beams, gray sofas, patterned chairs, coffee table, and geometric area rug.

Coastal living room with sofas, armchair, exposed ceiling beams, and glass doors opening to a deck overlooking the ocean

Bright coastal living room with a gray sofa, colorful pillows, dark coffee table, exposed beams, artwork, and sliding glass doors opening to a deck overlooking the water

Bright coastal dining and living room with a stone fireplace, exposed dark ceiling beams, wood floors, and ocean views through large windows and sliding glass doors.

Rustic dining room with a round wooden table, six chairs, exposed ceiling beams, framed artwork, hardwood floors, and a stone fireplace.

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.

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel refrigerator, electric range, microwave, dishwasher, sink beneath a window, hardwood floors, and exposed dark ceiling beams.

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, modern appliances, hardwood floors, stacked washer and dryer, and a large rustic stone fireplace.

Bright coastal home entryway with tiled floor, wood console table, stone column, exposed beams, staircase, and ocean views through sliding glass doors

Bright home laundry room with stacked Whirlpool washer and dryer, tiled floor, windows, and hallway access.

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.

Oceanfront deck with wooden lounge chairs overlooking a grassy shoreline, calm blue water, and coastal homes.

Oceanfront deck with outdoor dining table overlooking rocky coastline and calm blue water

Oceanfront home with a spacious waterfront deck, patio chairs, large windows, and rocky shoreline views

Gray coastal house with a stone chimney, wraparound deck, and ocean view under a blue sky

White coastal house with a raised deck and stairs overlooking a calm blue lake or ocean on a sunny day

Request a reservation

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.

Handwritten photo caption above a smiling family of three standing outdoors: “Timpanist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the world’s best.”

Archival photo of Surf Point co-founder Mary-Leigh Smart with Vic Firth and Kelly DeChristopher, 1981.