Museum and Gift Shop News
The Museum and Gift Shop will host holiday pop-up hours for the exhibit and shopping again this season. We will be open Saturday, November 29, noon to 4:00; Wednesday, December 10, 4-7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 14, 1-4:00 p.m.
We have several new books of interest. Recently republished, “Old Mainer and the Sea” is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about Chebeague’s Eben York, who in the 1880s rowed to Portland to sell his fish. “On the Fish,” written by Paul Cleary’s brother Russell Cleary, is about 100 years of swordfishing and features many photographs that tell the story. And “Working Waterfront, A Fish Tale,” is a vibrant and humorous account of Bill Gerencer’s career in fishing, seafood distribution, the short-lived Portland Fish Exchange and fishing regulations.
We are thankful for the enthusiastic response to our new cookbook, “A Taste of Chebeague,” available in our shop and online. We have gone back to the printers several times to re-stock! Other new store items include ornaments for holiday decorating and an embossed Chebeague journal. We always have special discounts on merchandise throughout the store, including 10 to 50% off many items. We look forward to seeing you at the pop-up hours during this holiday season.
Thank you to everyone who supported us by coming to the museum to see the exhibit, shop the store, became or renewed a membership, or made any contribution to the CIHS, no matter how big or small.
Harvest Open House Fills the House
Chebeaguers took advantage of the glorious fall weather on Sunday, October 19, to attend the Museum’s annual Harvest Open House. Thanks to everyone who attended, baked, socialized, wandered the exhibit and shopped the store.
Lock Kiermaier Delivers Slideshow Talk on Little Chebeague
On September 22, Lock Kiermaier delivered the latest Ellsworth Miller Lecture Series address, titled “The Houses of Little Chebeague.” With approximately 30 people at the Island Hall, Lock featured images and backgrounds on the cottages and outbuildings that comprised LIttle Chebeague from 1850 until the Navy took it over during World War 2. In attendance were several descendants of Henry Bailey, who ran the farm on Little Chebeague and built and repaired wharves for steamboats around the bay. Anne Brenton’s grandfather, Milton Webber (husband of Leah Webber), was one of the farmhands who lived on the Bailey farm. We thank Lock for his generosity in sharing his passion and telling us long-forgotten stories of the LIttle Chebeague community.
November Mystery Photo
What is the building? How was it used? Who owned it? Where was it located and why was it located there? We hope you’ll take a guess, and those who remember will share a memory. Email: [email protected]
October Mystery Photo Revealed
Gladys Bowen Bennett’s store on Firehouse Rd. was the subject of the October Mystery Photo. Built in the early 1950s, the store was a gathering place for islanders – from kids who sat at the ice cream counter, to fisherman who swapped stories in the corner. Gladys sold everything from bottom paint to candy bars to fancy handkerchiefs and cans of ” Maine Air.” The store closed in the 1970s but many people have wonderful memories of going there. We have saved the stories and will publish them on our website next year. Gladys’ son-in-law, Roy Jackson, continued the tradition of story-sharing when he used the building as a repair shop.
