Downeast Fisheries Trail
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Swan’s Island Lobster and Marine Museum

 

121 Ferry Road, Swan’s Island

The Swan’s Island Lobster and Marine Museum tells the story of commercial fishing in Maine, through the history of fishing on Swan’s Island. It is history unearthed and preserved by two brothers, Theodore (Ted) and Galen Turner, who lived on Swan’s Island their entire lives. As they worked on and around boats, Ted and Galen became aware of the rich maritime history of their community, and of the fact that it was rapidly disappearing. Over a couple decades of preservation work, they searched out models and artifacts from island attics, talked to island old-timers, dived in the harbor to retrieve old equipment, restored old motors, built models, and researched newspapers and historical archives for details about fishing and boat building in their community. The Turner brothers had an extraordinary depth of knowledge about the artifacts they gathered, and about the men and women who depended on the sea for a livelihood.

At the Museum, you can trace the history of fishermen, fishing and boat building; learn about fishing for cod, haddock, mackerel, halibut, swordfish, herring and lobster from vessels as diverse as schooners and sailboats, wherries and chebaccos, pinkies, steamships and early power boats, including one of the last hand-made wooden lobster boats on the island. An hour spent at the museum learning about the Swan’s Island lobster and marine heritage is an unforgettable experience. The museum is entirely supported by volunteers who celebrate the legacy of the Turner brothers. There is no fee but donations are gratefully accepted.

207-526-4423 or 207-526-4282 | swansislandmarinemuseum.org 

Seasonal (June-Sept) Mon-Fri from 11-3 or year-round by appointment. Museum is 100 yards from Swan’s Island Ferry Dock. Donations. Parking. Restrooms (not handicap accessible). Gift shop.

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Sources & Links

Swan’s Island Lobster and Marine Museum

Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse Also a site on the Downeast Fisheries Trail

Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse

A great short history of the lighthouse and island fisheries: Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station, Swan’s Island, Maine, by John M. Bryan with Oral Histories and Archival Photography by Donna A. Wiegle

Swan’s Island: Six Miles East of Ordinary, Maine Memory Network online exhibit

Swan’s Island Ferry, Maine State Ferry Service

 

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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