Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum

Title: Early fishing schooner, ca. 1870

Contributed by: Swan's Island Educational Society

Date: circa 1870

Location: Swans Island

Media: black and white photograph

Title: Fishing Net with attached cork floats, ca. 1945

Contributed by: Scarborough Historical Society & Museum

Date: circa 1945

Location: Scarborough

Media: Netting;cork

Title: Fishing for tuna with a harpoon, Swan's Island, ca. 1950

Contributed by: Swan's Island Educational Society

Date: circa 1950

Location: Swan's Island

Media: black and white photograph

Address: 257 Capisic Street, Portland

Owner in 1924: Albert S. Dresser

Style: Utilitarian

Use: Fish House

Address: 923 Congress Street, Portland

Owner in 1924: Ida Haggett

Use: Store - Fish

Address: 677-687 Forest Avenue, Portland

Owner in 1924: Hamilton Brothers

Use: Apartment & Fish Market

Early Europeans and Fishing

The abundant resource of fish off the coast of Northern New England drew Europeans to the region, as did timber, furs, and other natural resources.

Raising Fish

Mainers began propagating fish to stock ponds and lakes in the mid 19th century. The state got into the business in the latter part of the century, first concentrating on Atlantic salmon, then moving into raising other species for stocking rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Early Fish Canneries in Brooklin

By the 1900s, numerous fish canneries began operating in Center Harbor, located within the Brooklin community. For over thirty years, these plants were an important factor in the community.

Lubec, Maine

A history of the easternmost town in Maine as created by the Lubec Historical Society, Lubec Consolidated School, Lubec Landmarks, and Lubec Memorial Library. Exhibits include the sardine and herring industries, the Sardine Queen, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the 1911 Centennial Celebration, the S. S. Cumberland Steamer, the gold hoax, an important community quilt, a tragic boating accident, and the blizzard of 1934, among others.

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary

A look back at island life in Maine as captured by a team consisting of Swan's Island Educational Society representatives, which encompasses the community's library and historical society, a class from the Swan's Island School, and an Island Fellow from the Island Institute. Exhibit topics examine islanders at work and play, Baird's Quarry, old buildings, and the changing role of women on the island.

Islesboro--An Island in Penobscot Bay

A history of one of Maine’s many populated islands. The site was created by a team consisting of representatives from Islesboro Historical Society, Islesboro Central School, and the Alice L. Pendleton Library. Early settlements, businesses and cottage industries, schools, water transportation, and summer resorts are the topics covered.