Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society

08/07/2026

REMINDER: THE ANNUAL FUND RAIDER BOAT RIP IS SCHEDULED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 23RD. Tickets are being sold now and must be pruchased beforebefore the trip. This season the trip is around the Island. Either call #207-348-6400 or stop into the Society's Gift Shop/Post Office. Hope you join us for the fun!

07/27/2026

This past Saturday, the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society was honored to once again partner with the Island Fishermen’s Wives Association for the annual Fishermen’s Hall of Fame Ceremony. Family, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate three outstanding local fishermen whose lives and careers reflect the hard work, dedication, and traditions that have shaped our island.

Congratulations to our 2026 Hall of Fame inductees:
⚓ Timothy C. Eaton
⚓ Theodore “Ted” Boyce
⚓ Jonathan A. Eaton

Each of these men has left a lasting mark on our fishing community through their skill, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to preserving our island’s proud maritime heritage. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this special tradition another memorable success.
Be sure to stop by the barn and check out our new video about the work of the Fishermen’s Wives association and how it all began. You will find it the boathouse.

Coming Up This Thursday, July 30 at 2:00 PM

Join us at the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society for “Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Finding Long-Forgotten Gravesites,” presented by Dr. Bert Yankielun, P.E.

Learn how this fascinating, non-invasive technology is helping uncover forgotten chapters of Maine’s history, including historic burial grounds in Stockton Springs and Stonington, and hear about a proposed survey of Deer Isle’s historic Settlers Cemetery. It’s a unique opportunity to discover how science and history come together to preserve our past.

Admission is ALWAYS free, and everyone is welcome! We hope to see you on Thursday at 2:00 PM.

07/22/2026

Join Us for a Weekend of Local History at the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society!

We have two wonderful programs this week celebrating the people and stories that have shaped Deer Isle and Stonington.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 23 at 2:00 PM
Early Deer Isle, the Early Church & the Island’s Early Black Settlers

Join Drs. Barbara and Alan Chesney as they share years of research into Deer Isle’s early history, the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church, and the island’s early Black settlers.

Barbara Chesney is a retired educational psychologist, program evaluator, business owner, and longtime leader in the Daughters of the American Revolution at the chapter, state, and national levels. Her passion for Revolutionary War history led her to research the life of Salome Sellers, a Real Daughter of a Revolutionary Patriot, and she is currently documenting the 250-year history of the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church.

Alan Chesney is a retired sociologist and higher education human resources administrator who has spent decades studying how organizations and communities thrive. A summer resident of Deer Isle for 80 years and a full-time resident for more than a decade, Alan now serves as Barbara’s research partner while also volunteering on local town committees and at the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church.

Together, they will explore how and why the island’s earliest Black settlers came to Deer Isle, the important contributions they made to our community, and the enduring legacy they left behind. (Can’t make it?-they will present it again on August 27th. )

Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 PM
Honoring Our Fishermen – Fishermen’s Hall of Fame Ceremony

The Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society is proud to once again co-host this annual event with the Island Fishermen’s Wives Association to honor the 2026 class of local fishermen.

For many years, this meaningful ceremony was held at the fishermen’s pier before moving to the Fishermen’s Hall of Fame, located in the Historical Society’s barn. Established to recognize both past and present fishermen, the Hall of Fame pays tribute to the hardworking men whose dedication, skill, and perseverance have sustained our island’s fishing heritage and helped shape our community for generations.

Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society
Museum exhibits and gift shop will be open for visitors to enjoy before and after the ceremony.

We hope you’ll join us for this special weekend celebrating the people, history, and traditions that make Deer Isle and Stonington such extraordinary communities. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!

07/06/2026

Thursday, July 9th, The Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society invites the community to Salome Sellers Day and Open House from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at 416 Sunset Road, Deer Isle.

This lively afternoon celebrates Salome Sylvester Sellers, a true Daughter of the American Revolution, whose 1830 homestead stands at the heart of the Society’s campus. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations, speakers, exhibits, and a special appearance by the Society’s own “Salome Sellers,” bringing island stories to life with warmth and a little old-fashioned charm.

Don’t forget to stop inside the historic Old Post Office and gift shop. You will find , lots of books about the local history, T-shirts, hats, prints and copies of historic island maps.

Admission is always FREE and any donation makes you a member!

Come explore the stories that shaped Deer Isle and Stonington, from the native first peoples, island families to granite, steamboats, the working waterfront, and more. Bring your curiosity, and a love of local stories for a memorable afternoon.

For more information, call 207-348-6400.

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July from the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate America’s 250th this holiday weekend, we invite you to stop by this summer to explore, and reconnect with the incredible history of Deer Isle and Stonington!

Admission is always free, because we believe our island history belongs to everyone.

We are also excited to invite you to join us for our 2026 Boat Trip, Sunday, August 23rd. This year we’ll sail around beautiful Deer Isle and Stonington while enjoying the stories, scenery, and history that make this island community so special.

Tickets are $80 per person
We leave from the Isle au Haut Boat Services dock in Stonington
*Departure is at 9:00 (arrive to the dock by 8:30AM)
*Return is around 1:00 PM

Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! From the water, the harbor, village, islands, and working waterfront can feel almost timeless, like a view from another era.

Boat trip tickets may be purchased in advance at the Old Post Office, located on our Historical Society campus during normal open hours. While you’re there, check out our tiny gift shop for T-shirts, hats, books by local authors, prints, including two print sizes of a stunning Jill Hoy painting of Salome Sylvester Sellers’ homestead.

For more information or to reserve your spot, please call 207-348-6400 or stop by the Post Office on campus.

416 Sunset Road, Deer Isle, Maine
Exhibits are now open Wednesday through Friday, 1:00–4:00 PM
June 25,2026-September 18th, 2026.

This coming week, we hope you’ll join us for our Open House and Salome Sellers Day on Thursday, July 9th. Bring your family and friends and enjoy live demos, including our printing press and more as we celebrate the people, places, and memories that continue to preserve our history.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Caroline Smith Rittenhouse, who passed away peacefully at her home in Stonington on June 14, 2026, at the age of 95. Caroline was a dedicated supporter of the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, and her work helped preserve treasured pieces of island history. Her books about people and places of this beautiful island include An Island Woman: Salome Sylvester Sellers 1800-1899, Stonington Scraps, and Phenie Warren Bray Remembers South Deer Isle and Burnt Cove. Her contributions continue to be part of the living history we are proud to share.

Whether you stop in to browse, purchase a book or gift, share a memory, or join us on our annual fundraising boat trip, your support helps keep Deer Isle and Stonington history alive.

Our Society is run by one part-time employee and a dedicated group of generous volunteers. While admission is always free, any donation gives you membership and helps us preserve our buildings, care for our collections, share local stories, and continue welcoming the community for generations to come.

Please consider joining today by making a donation by scanning the QR code included with this post or stopping by during open hours.

Thank you for your support. We hope to see you soon!

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and meaningful Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

07/01/2026

06/27/2026

Opening week is here at the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society!

Join us as we kick off the season with a special Civil War encampment this weekend, bringing history to life right here in our community. Stop by, explore, ask questions, and enjoy a glimpse into the past with family and friends.

We are now open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as a few select Saturdays, from 1–4 PM.

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! ❄️