Harpswell Celebrates USA 250th

Join us in celebrating the United States of America's 250th birthday this year. Volunteers will be hosting events all summer long with a special focus on Harpswell's history and our Nation's history. We'll be updating this page as events are planned, so check back often!

 

Harpswell History Hunters Scavenger Hunt

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the Harpswell History Hunters invite YOU to explore 16 sites across Harpswell, Maine this summer. Click here to get started!

 

Coming up in August:

 

Church Tours

Saturday, August 1 at 11:00 a.m.


Tour eight of Harpswell's local churches in Cundy's Harbor, Orr’s and Bailey islands and on Harpswell Neck. Hear the stories from different times and faith traditions to see how worship has changed and endured over the centuries. Meet at Town Hall from 11 a.m. to noon to receive tour info or pick up tour brochures at one of the participating churches, marked with a sign out front.


Community Concert
Saturday, August 1 at 4:00 p.m.
Elijah Kellogg Church

 

All are welcome for a community sing of patriotic music with the choirs of Elijah Kellogg Church and the Islands Community Church accompanied by Ed Striewski, music director of the Islands Community Church. Sandi Ste.George, author of Harpswell Song written in 2009 will be a special guest.



Schooner Alert Tours - !SOLD OUT!

Sunday, August 9 and Monday, August 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (rain date August 11)

 

Join us for half a day of sailing and storytelling about Abenaki natives to today’s newcomers. Step back in time on a wooden fishing schooner and enjoy Harpswell history and lore as told by The Brothers York–Ron York, storyteller, former postman and Harpswell original and his brother, Gerry York, historian and administrator of Harpswell Yesterdays. The York family has graced Harpswell shores for many generations, and these two men know the ins and outs of the properties, the families and the long-told tales—some of which are actually true! Tickets are $75/person with 20 spaces onboard. Bring your own lunch. Click here to buy your tickets today!


Tour of Harpswell Burying Grounds
Saturday, August 15


Tour some of Harpswell's burial grounds on the Neck, Islands, and in Cundy's Harbor. See the graves of Harpswell’s Revolutionary War soldiers, ship captains and local characters. Slate, sandstone and granite markers with designs from skulls to anchors and flowers span colonial Harpswell until today. Meet at Town Hall at from 11:00 a.m. until noon for tour booklet.


Historic Architecture Tour
Saturday, September 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (rain date Monday, September 7)

Tour the Harpswell properties on the National Register of Historic Places. From 9 a.m. to noon, tour Cundy's Harbor and the Islands. From 1 to 3 p.m. tour Harpswell Neck. Discover the architectural monuments that make up Harpswell and explore its 200-year architectural history. Learn from architectural historians Deane Van Dusen and John Goff about the various architectural styles and how to identify period details that define a specific time-period in American history.

 

And later this summer: 

Bean and Pie Bake-Off with Harpswell Aging at Home
September 23, 12:00 p.m.
Mitchell Field

 

Sign up to prepare your favorite Beans or Pie and bring it with the recipe and your folding chair to enjoy the judging and stay for lunch with beans and pie and other Harpswell foods.

 

250 Years of Harpswell Farming
September 27, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

 

Join us at the Merriconeag Grange to learn more about the history of farming in Harpswell. Sam Alexander and John Ott will show examples of agricultural tools used over the years. Have fun guessing what some of them were used for at the WhatsIt? table. Help with cider pressing from 2:30 pm with apples gathered from Harpswell’s abundant trees.