Tourism Transforms Chebeague
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Volume 13, Issue #2 May 2010 Chebeague Island Historical Society 2010 Exhibit Tourism Transforms Chebeague by Donna Miller Damon he Chebeague Island Historical Society is While the Chebeague Historical Society’s ex- busy preparing its newest exhibit, Tour- hibit focuses on Chebeague, the story the ex- ismT Transforms Chebeague, which is sched- hibit tells is representative of what happened up uled to open on July 1, 2010. This will be the and down the coast of Maine. By experiencing seventh major exhibit at the society’s Museum Tourism Transforms Chebeague, visitors will of Chebeague History since it opened in 2003. be challenged to reexamine the history and evo- The exhibit will examine the impact of tourism lution of tourism in their own communities. In on the island during the early 1900s and will other words, this is more than just Chebeague’s delve into the tourists’ connection to the island story, and it is more than just a Maine story. community that resulted in some of them com- This is a story of how a community chooses to ing back year after year. Many of Chebeague’s respond to the influx of people from away, and current year-round and summer residents have Chebeague Field Day the cultural differences that present themselves ties to this period in the island’s history. Some 1908 when the two groups interact. of them, known on Chebeague as summer na- The relationships between Maine’s year-round tives, have roots in the early summer colonies, arrived? How did the community respond to islanders and the summer tourists are complex while the ancestors of many of today’s islanders tourism? What did the tourists expect from their and in many cases span generations. The mod- benefited from the tourist dollars as they trans- island visit? How have the expectations of the ern-day interactions between these two groups formed their homes, vessels, and landscape community and the visitors changed over time? are complicated and are the result of conscious to accommodate the middle class vacationers What role has tourism played in creating the and unconscious decisions made by islanders who summered on the island. The relationship community that exists today? The answers to and summer people over the years. Some is- between the natives and the visitors varied, and these questions are multifaceted, and they are landers make a distinction between the day- the exhibit will reflect on the impact of cultural essential if the islanders of today hope to grap- tripper, the renter, and the long-time summer differences during the early days of tourism. ple with their past as they plan for the future. cottage owner, which is known on Great Che- The exhibit will be enhanced by hundreds of At the turn of the twentieth century three hun- beague as the summer native. Are there differ- photographs from private collections as well as dred of Maine’s islands were inhabited, but ences between a summer visitor who is new to postcards and ephemera from the tourist era. today only fifteen islands support year-round the island and one whose family has summered Steamboats, hotels, boarding houses, cottages, populations, and nearly half of those fifteen on the island for years or even for generations? summer families, island businesses, and leisure communities have winter populations of less Visit the Museum of Chebeague History and activities will be highlighted. Artifacts such as than one hundred inhabitants. With numbers find out! • souvenir china and trophies will be on exhibit, this low, Maine’s islanders could be considered and a ten-foot diorama that depicts many of an endangered species. The numbers of season- The Museum of Chebeague History is the boarding establishments and steamboat al visitors who vacation on the islands is greater open Tuesdays through Saturdays 11-4 landings will transport the viewer back to the than the number of year-round residents who and Sundays 1-4; July 1—September 15 golden era of tourism. live there, and many of the year-rounders have or by appointment. Admission is free, but To better understand the relationships of today deep summer roots. How important are the so- donations are gratefully appreciated. and to plan for the future, one must understand called summer natives to the survival of Maine’s Call 846-5237 or email the context in which summer people were first remaining year-round island communities? The [email protected] introduced into the island community. What story of the summer natives is entwined in the for more information. was the community like when the tourists first evolution of an island community. 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Contact information THE HUMANITIES or web site at http:www.nara.gov/nhprc provided above. NEH Consultation Grants for Libraries, Museums, or Deadline is October 1. Special Projects — Sept. 16. Information and advice available from State Archives To purchase copies of the MAM Newsletter, NEH Preservation & Access Research & Development — (207) 287-5793. please contact MAM at the above address or Grants — Oct. 1. phone number. NEH Stabilization of Humanities Collections — Oct. 1. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) (202) 606-8400, www.neh.gov (202) 357-9498 Third Class postage paid at Bangor, Maine. www.nsf.gov NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS NEA Artistic Creativity & Preservation and Heritage & NATIONAL TRUST FOR OFFICERS Preservation — Aug. 18. HISTORIC PRESERVATION President: Jay Adams NEA Challenge America: Access to the Arts — Aug. 18 (617) 523-0885 Vice President: George Squibb (202) 682-5400, www.arts.gov www.nationaltrust.org Secretary: Patricia Burdick Treasurer: Patricia Henner TABLE OF CONTENTS BOARD MEMBERS Rick Asam Chebeague Island Historical Society 2010 Exhibit by Donna Miller Damon ............ Cover Jane Bianco MAM NEWS: Board Meeting Notes: January 11, 2010 ............................................ 3 Amelia Chamberlain Conversations on the Collaborative Future Carolin Collins of Museums & Archives by Jane Bianco ..................................... 3 Niles Parker Regional Rep by Patricia Henner ...................................................... 3 Candy Russell Jessica Skwire Routhier GRANTS...................................................................................................................... 4 Joanna Torow WORKSHOPS ............................................................................................................. 6 EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS ........................................................................................ 7 NEWSLETTER STAFF DISPATCHES .............................................................................................................. 11 Editor: Jessica Skwire Routhier Typesetting & Design: Deborah J. McGee SEEN & HEARD ........................................................................................................ 13 Printer: Bangor Letter Shop & Norlands Rising From the Ashes, Part One of Three Articles Color Copy Center, Bangor by Kathleen Beauregard ......................................................................................... 14 OPPORTUNITIES: BUSINESS MANAGER Maine Civil War Trail Project ................................................................................ 16 Edna Comstock PO Box 5024 Ethel “Billie” Gammon History Education Scholarship Fund .............................