Downeast Fisheries Trail
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Deer Isle – Stonington Historical Society

416 Sunset Road (Route 15A), Deer Isle

Before the modern era of electronics, fishermen relied on their wits and ingenuity to find and catch fish, inventing and constructing their own nets, lines, hooks, gaffs, spears, tubs, barrels, etc. They made specialized tools to build and fix all this gear and crafted boats from which to use it all. The history and evolution of Downeast fishing techniques can be read in the objects displayed in a new post and beam barn (hand-cut and built to early 1800 specifications) at the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society. Other exhibits include ship models, paintings, items related to marine transportation, and memorabilia from the America’s Cup Defender and Columbia, both manned by Deer Isle mariners. The archives contain genealogical and historical material and books, and hundreds of photographs with special emphasis on the age of steamboats as the major form of transportation in the area. Whereas Penobscot East (6) shares today’s fisheries heritage, the historical society is the place to explore how yesterday’s fisheries have shaped Maine’s island communities.

207.348.6400 | www.dis-historicalsociety.org

Seasonal W, F, Sat  1-4; Year-round (archives only) W, F 1-4 or by appointment. Parking. Outhouse.

[Show thumbnails]
Post and beam barn
Marine room
The Sellers House
New Barn
Fisheries exhibit
Highline fishermen
Fishing heritage

 Sources & Links

Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society 

 

Maine Folklife Center, “Penobscot Bay Islands” Interviews.

 

Maine Folklife Center, “Penobscot Bay Fisheries and Industries” Interviews.

 

Maine Folklife Center, Lynn Franklin Collection:

Interview with Gooden Grant, age 96, about his life as a lobster fisherman and life on Isle Au Haut.

Interview with Andrew Gove, son of Wilbert Gove, about life as a lobster fisherman

Interview with Wilbert Gove about life as a lobster fisherman, weir tender, trawlerman, growing up on coast

Interview with Mrs. Abby Gove about life on Eagle Island at the turn of the century

All at:

http://umaine.edu/folklife/archives/collections/mf-081-lynn-franklin-collection/

Trail Sites

  • Abbe Museum
  • Bad Little Falls Park
  • Bar Harbor Town Park
  • Bar Harbor Town Pier
  • Beals Heritage Center
  • Bucksport Waterfront
  • Cable Pool Park
  • Carryingplace Cove
  • Cobscook Bay Resource Center
  • Cobscook Bay State Park
  • Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery
  • Deer Isle – Stonington Historical Society
  • Downeast Institute
  • Frazer Point
  • Frenchman Bay Overlook
  • Frenchman Bay Scenic Turnout
  • Gleason Cove Park
  • Gordon’s Wharf
  • Great Harbor Maritime Museum
  • Green Lake National Fish Hatchery
  • Henry Cove
  • Islesford Historical Museum
  • Jonesport Historical Society
  • Long Cove
  • Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (formerly Penobscot East Resource Center)
  • Maine Coast Sardine History Museum
  • McCurdy’s Smokehouse
  • Milbridge Historical Museum
  • Milbridge Town Marina
  • Morong Cove
  • Mount Desert Oceanarium
  • Naskeag Point
  • Otter Cove
  • Penobscot Marine Museum
  • Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory & Fort Knox
  • Peter Gray Hatchery
  • Pleasant River Hatchery
  • Prospect Harbor
  • Quoddy Head State Park
  • Roosevelt-Campobello International Park
  • Shackford Head State Park
  • Somesville Mill Pond
  • Taunton Bay Gateway
  • Tidal Falls
  • Waponahki Museum & Resource Center

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The Downeast Fisheries Trail consists of 45 locations from Penobscot Bay, Maine, to Passamaquoddy Bay, New Brunswick, that showcase active and historic fisheries heritage sites, such as fish hatcheries, aquaculture facilities, fishing harbors, clam flats, processing plants, historical societies, community centers, parks, and other related places. The Trail is an effort to raise awareness among residents and visitors of the importance of the region’s maritime heritage and the role of marine resources to the area’s economy. The Trail builds on these local resources to strengthen community life and the experience of visitors.

For a printed map-brochure of the Trail, please call 207.581.1435.

Download the web version of the map-brochure. (6.8 MB)

For more information about the Downeast Fisheries Trail, email or call 207.288.2944 x5834.

Downeast Fisheries Trail Brochure Map - Web Version

Downeast Fisheries Trail Brochure Map - Web Version

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