Tom Blagden Jr.’s Amazing Acadia Landscapes

This year marks the centennial — not only of the entire U.S. National Parks Service, but also of New England’s only national park: Acadia.

Located off the rugged coast of Maine on Mount Desert Island, the park boasts the tallest mountain on the East Coast (Cadillac Mountain), extensive forests, deep valleys, serene springs and the wave-pounded coastlines that characterize the region.

Acadia was established as a national park in the early 1900s and bears the distinction of being the first national park created through private land donation from local benefactors such a John D. Rockefeller, Jr. In his Acadia National Park (Rizzoli; $50), nature photographer Tom Blagden, Jr. and his fellow contributors have created this fitting tribute — full of photography and stories that only first-hand custodians of the natural wonderland could provide in such lavish and loving detail. If you’ve yet to experience the park for yourself, this beautiful portfolio could be a great way to get your first look. And wedding planners, take note: Picturesque Acadia has already proved a beautiful setting for same-sex wedding ceremonies.