The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was a grand celebration of Harpswell’s vibrant past and multi-faceted present. In April, the first event was a talk by Matt Gilley on Fishing in Harpswell that drew 72 people to Cundy’s Harbor on a Sunday afternoon. Matt explained the history of fishing, especially lobstering in Harpswell, and spoke of the issues today. Harpswell Community TV captured the program, and the video has been viewed an additional 56 times.
Next was our May 25 Memorial Day Parade. Even though it was a soggy day. The 250th had eight hearty marchers and forty viewers.
The First Day of Harpswell History Hunters at Mingo Club’s Ice Cream Social on Bailey Island on July 4th drew more than 100 people.
The Bandstand Concert at Mitchell Field on July 16 featured the Harpswell Concert Band playing patriotic music with Matt Newberg and Laura Campbell staffing the 250th table.
Harpswell Colonial Days with Revolutionary War encampment, the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Old Meeting House, children’s activities in Centennial Hall and garden tours on July 18th had 500 people participating.
On August 1, the 250th sponsored tours of seven Harpswell churches and a Community Sing of patriotic songs with choirs from the Elijah Kellogg Church and the Islands Community Church, at the Kellogg Church with 55 people.
Sailing Harpswell’s distinctive shoreline and hearing the stories of its people from the Abenakis to recent arrivals as told by Ron and Gerry York on the beautiful Schooner Alert on August 9 and 10 was enjoyed by 20 people each day.
Self-guided tours of five Harpswell Burying Grounds brought out 32 people.
On August 31 was the drawing on the Harpswell History Hunter winners. With ten teams and 56 individuals—there were 86 participants who filled out the answer, plus many more who did the hunt for the sheer fun of it. Here is the winner of the Lobster Boat Adventure with Matt Gilley.
On September 1, the Architecture Tour hosted two vans and two carloads of fans (20) for a full day tour of the National Register buildings in Harpswell.
Beans and Pies Bake-Off and Lunch with Friends at Mitchell Field with Harpswell Aging at Home on September 23rd with 136 people.
250 Years of Harpswell Farming and Antique Farm Tools at the Merriconeag Grange with Sam Alexander and John Ott on September 27 drew 25 people.
In all, 1114 people attended or participated in the 250th programs, plus concert attendees.
What started as a partnership between the Harpswell Historical Society and the Town of Harpswell drew together 14 different groups including Harpswell Aging at Home, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, the Orrs Island Library, the Cundy’s Harbor Library, the Harpswell Islands Genealogical & Heritage Center, the Harpswell Anchor, Mingo Club, the Merriconeag Grange, The Quahog Bay Conservancy, The Bowdoin Schiller Center, Elijah Kellogg Church, Girl Scout Troop 1263, the Harpswell Garden Club, Pammy’s Ice Cream, Island Candy Company, and 11 donors who each gave $250 toward the events to make this a truly town-wide celebration.
The importance of fishing and farming, the tours of our buildings and burying grounds, the local and well-loved national music, our changing ocean heritage were well summed up in the song “Harpswell, You’ve Captured My Heart” sung at the August 1st sing-along at Elijah Kellogg Church.
Many thanks to Kristi Eiane and Katie Neal, to all the attendees at our Monday morning planning meetings especially Jim Nelson, Deane Van Dusen, Melinda Richter, Laura Campbell, Matt Newberg, Cindy Bessmer, Rob Porter, Matt Gilley, Lisa Coombs, Heather Logan and Dan Hoebeke for their tireless work.
In a time of national division, the gathering of townspeople to celebrate the variety of events that formed the town we know today was positive and encouraging. The long-lasting memories and the publications that will continue to inspire and teach provide the 250th legacy for Harpswell residents now and in the future.
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