On June 21, 2015, the Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum working in cooperation with Acadia National Park will debut a community-curated exhibition celebrating the men and women who have fished the waters around Little Cranberry Island for generations. The exhibition will be located at the Islesford Historical Museum, where the rich history of the Cranberry Isles has been celebrated since 1929. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to step on board the stern of a lobster boat and handle the tools used daily by fishermen; enjoy a video starring several lobstermen answering questions about their trade; and see boat models, paintings, buoys, and hooked rugs created by the fishermen and their families. The exhibit will provide insights into the challenging work and the many rewards of lobster fishing in Downeast Maine.

 

Located on the easternmost island in Maine with a year-round population, and accessible only by boat, Islesford today sustains residents who make their living from the ocean just as their ancestors did. Among today’s fishermen are descendants of Islesford’s earliest settlers. With magnificent views of Mount Desert Island as their backdrop and nothing but the open sea to the east, Islesford fishermen harvest thousands of lobsters annually and ship them to all parts of the world. As citizen scientists they are leaders in the quest to understand lobster habitat and sustainability. This exhibit explores how a community of highly creative and independent fishermen and women has united to work in harmony for the good of their industry and their community.

 

With assistance from Friends of Acadia in Bar Harbor, The Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum formed in 2014 to work with Acadia National Park to rehabilitate and maintain the museum, a landmark building. The Friends of the Islesford Historical Museum’s goal is to re-kindle interest in this historic structure among year-round and summer residents of the Cranberry Isles. The group hopes to raise funds to upgrade the building so that more of Islesford’s history may safely be exhibited there.

 

Visitors approach Little Cranberry Island by mail boat, private boat, ranger-led tour boat, or water taxi, slipping in amongst the working fishing fleet and then stepping ashore into a real, Downeast fishing village. A restaurant, art galleries, post office and the Islesford Historical Museum are all an easy walk from the dock. After visiting the museum, stroll on the beach or bike the island’s roads to experience this unique small island community.

 

The exhibition will be open daily from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm June 21st through September 7th. Admission is free.