Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society

04/20/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Patriots Day, friends! 🇺🇸
Today we remember the opening moments of the American Revolution—when ordinary people took extraordinary risks in the name of independence. From the first shots at Lexington and Concord to the bravery shown right here along Maine’s coast, Patriots Day reminds us that history isn’t just something that happened somewhere else, it happened here, too.
During the Revolutionary War, Deer Isle was a small but strategic—and vulnerable—maritime outpost in what was then the District of Maine, part of Massachusetts. Its position made it a target of British pressure, especially with British-occupied Castine just up the coast. Local residents rose to the moment, aiding the American cause through scouting, coastal defense, and supplying much-needed timber, all while living with the constant threat of attack.
That powerful legacy of local courage is exactly what we’re excited to share again this season at the Deer Isle~Stonington Historical Society!
Our exhibits open Thursday, June 25th, and our regular hours will be Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1–4 PM, with additional openings on select Saturdays.
Mark your calendars for these special events:
Civil War Encampment Day, Saturday, June 27, 2026
Salome Sellers Day ~ Open House, July 9th
Salome Sellers is a remarkable link between generations, recognized as a true Daughter of the American Revolution. Born during the era and living long enough to share her firsthand connection, her story reminds us just how close that history truly is.
A full schedule with more details and additional special events will be posted soon!
And as always, your support helps keep these stories alive. Becoming a member is easy, and donations of any amount are always welcome, just scan the QR code in the comments or click the link to join and contribute.
We can’t wait to see you soon and share our local history with you again!

A donation of any amount makes you a member of the Society for one year. You will receive our newsletter twice annually with information about ongoing projects and upcoming events. Thank you for your support!

01/17/2026

❄️The Deer Isle~Stonington Historical Society had a wonderful time taking part in Healthy Island Project 20th Annual ❄️Winterfest, thank you to everyone who stopped by our table!

Our theme, Transportation on the Island, sparked so many great conversations. We shared models of the Scott family ferry, the steam ferry SS Vinal Haven, historic shoes from a mule, horse, and ox, and photos filled with carriages and island travel from days gone by. From ferries to hooves to wheels, getting on and off the island has always taken resourcefulness.

Of course, we couldn’t help reflecting on how everything changed with the Deer Isle–Sedgwick Bridge. As Clayton Gross wrote in Steel Over Eggemoggin (1989):

“No other event has wrought so many changes in our lives, brought us so many benefits, and created so many new problems.”

Those photos of the frozen Thorofare sparked some unforgettable stories. At one time, heavy ice could halt travel so completely that ice breakers, and dynamite were used to open things up! We heard stories of winters so cold that people could walk across the ice all the way to Isle au Haut! It’s a reminder of how deeply ice and weather once shaped daily life and how it led to the building of the bridge.

A huge shout-out and heartfelt thanks to the Healthy Island Project (HIP) for the incredible work that went into organizing such a fantastic community event. Celebrating 20 years of Winterfest is no small feat, and we’re grateful to be part of it! ❄️

Stay connected! Anyone can sign up for our newsletters by emailing us at [email protected].
And if you’ve got an interesting story connected to the island, big or small, we’d truly love to hear it.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from the Deer Isle~Stonington Historical Society!

As we ring in the new year, we’re already looking ahead to an exciting 2026 summer season and a very special milestone: America’s 250th anniversary 🇺🇸

The story of Deer Isle~Stonington stretches far beyond 1776. From the first indigenous people who lived and thrived here, to the age of windjammers and steamships, to the Deer Isle Bridge and the arrival of the automobile, which forever changed how we get around, our community has always been shaped by change, ingenuity, and connection. Our island history is rich in natural resources, from granite quarries to sardine factories and herring runs, and our clamming and lobster fishery continues. (There's a reason the island is home to Maine's largest lobster port!) What has endured through generations of working the water continues to evolve and shape our story.

As we prepare to mark 250 years of American independence, we have to ask:
🇺🇸 Could you be a direct descendant of a Continental veteran?
Our own Salome Sellers was a real Daughter of the American Revolution, and many veterans are buried right here on the island.

While our campus exhibits are closed for the season, our archives are open by appointment, and our incredible collection may help you discover your family’s story. Just give us a call to schedule a visit.

You can also explore how the Revolution reached our shores in Vernal Hutchinson’s book, When the Revolution Came: The Story of Old Deer Isle in the Province of Maine During the War for American Independence.

We can’t wait to welcome you back this summer!

❄️ Hope to see you at the (HIP) Winterfest on January 17! ❄️

12/25/2025

🔔Proof that sometimes, the holidays really do bring history home.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19QiA17gEZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A missing fog bell, a generous neighbor and a homecoming years in the making.

12/09/2025

🎄 The Archives will be closed from December 19th at 3:00 PM through January 6th, 2026, for our Holiday Break.
We’ll be reopening on January 7th at Noon, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year!

Are you looking for a unique holiday gift idea? Purchase a legacy brick to remember a loved one, friend or pet. Inquire by calling the archives 207-348-6400.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, a joyful Holiday Season, and a Happy New Year filled with warmth, peace, and community spirit. ❄️