The Ellsworth Historical Society

06/15/2026

Thank you Ellsworth Public Library for sharing your space for this exhibit! Input from the public is welcome! If you have any stories to share about the photos, we want to hear it! Please visit!

06/10/2026

PINTS AND THE PAST: Ellsworth Historical Society Partners with Fogtown Brewing for an Evening of Craft Beverages, Local History, and Trivia

The Ellsworth Historical Society is thrilled to announce a unique, two-part evening event that brings local history out of the archives and straight into the taproom. On Thursday, June 25, at 5:30 p.m., community members and craft beer enthusiasts are invited to gather at Fogtown Brewing Company (25 Pine Street, Ellsworth) for a dynamic exploration of brewing history, followed by a highly competitive Ellsworth History Trivia Night.

Designed to engage a new generation of local history buffs, the evening will kick off with a series of captivating, rapid-fire presentations. Jon Stein, owner of Fogtown Brewing Company, will dive into the rich history of craft brewing and the origins of Fogtown itself. Todd Little-Siebold, Professor of History at the College of the Atlantic, will share his renowned expertise on the deep-rooted history of cider making in Maine. Finally, Bill Fogle, President of the Ellsworth Historical Society, will uncover the fascinating architectural and cultural history of the very building housing the event: 25 Pine Street.

Following the presentations, the energy will dial up for Part Two: a dedicated Ellsworth History Trivia Night. Attendees are encouraged to grab a pint, form a team, and test their knowledge of local lore, forgotten facts, and Ellsworth milestones. Prizes and serious bragging rights will be awarded to the sharpest minds in the room.

This isn't your typical, dusty historical lecture. We’re combining the fascinating heritage of craft brewing and cider making with the vibrant atmosphere of one of Ellsworth's favorite hangouts. It’s the perfect excuse to grab some friends, enjoy fantastic local beer, and discover the amazing stories right in our own backyard.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public, though early arrival is highly recommended to secure seating and a beverage before the presentations begin.

(Poster by Fogtown owner Jon Stein.)

04/28/2026

Come out this Saturday for a Jane’s Walk, or two or 7!

04/13/2026

Thank you Heart of Ellsworth for making this possible through getting downtown Ellsworth on the National Register of Historic Places!

What if restoring an old building could actually pay off?

Historic Tax Credits (HTCs) are powerful tools that make it more affordable to bring historic buildings back to life.

In Maine, projects can combine:
✔️ 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit
✔️ 25% (or more!) Maine State Historic Tax Credit
That means up to ~45% of eligible rehab costs can be covered.

The result? Revitalized downtowns, new housing and business space, & preservation of the buildings that define our community! Business and building owners will receive more information in the coming weeks about how the Historic Designation unlocks these resources and what projects are eligible.

04/06/2026

Please join us for the Historical Society's annual meeting next Monday at 7 p.m. Our special Facebook friend Chris Bartol ("Clocks By Christopher," a major sponsor of the Society) will be talking about his meticulous, years-long renovation of the much-storied Whitney house. It's across the street at the Chamberlain-Whitney house, so space is limited.

04/03/2026

Congratulations Heart of Ellsworth for getting this nomination accomplished! What a feat for Downtown Ellsworth! So deserved!

Ellsworth’s downtown district is now designated on the National Register of Historic Places, a list of the country’s “historic places worthy of preservation.”

03/21/2026

Old Jail in the news again!

ELLSWORTH -- Despite the Old Hancock County Sheriff's Home and Jail not being in use for around 50 years, the work to preserve its history refuses to be frozen in

03/19/2026

How wonderful to finally meet Anne Ball of Maine Downtown Center! She oversees the subgrant program of the National Park Service Paul Bruhn Historic Preservation Fund which we were granted to rehabilitate the windows, doors and porches of the Old Jail! Come back soon, Anne!

MDC was in Ellsworth yesterday. Our first stop was the The Ellsworth Historical Society who is a grant recipient from the REvitalizeME Downtown Grant, a sub grant program MDC is administering from the National Park Service Paul Bruhn Historic Preservation Fund. The grant will be rehabilitating the windows, doors and porches in the Old County Jail and Sheriffs house.

03/11/2026

Thank you Maine Biz for you coverage of our grant award. This work will make a huge visual
impact bringing the woodworking back! Thank you MDF!

Funds will be used to rehabilitate the Old Hancock County Sheriff’s Home and Jail, a 19th-century building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

03/03/2026

One of the projects the Research Committee of the Historical Society (chaired by Mary Blackstone) is working on is "neighborhoods." At the same time, there's a push by city government to study and restore the character of these communities, some of which (such as Ellsworth Falls) were 100% independent (defined as school, church, and post office). We'd love to hear from you about the Ellsworth neighborhood you grew up in: the people, their homes, the local shops and churches, etc. Send an email to [email protected] (That's my mom at her grammar school graduation in Ellsworth Falls ... you'll have to guess which one she is!)