Historical Societies exist to tell a community’s history through objects and archival records. The Castine Historical Society’s new exhibition, “A History of Castine in 40 Objects,” opens June 10 and will remain on view through Oct. 14. The exhibition highlights aspects of the town’s history through never-before-displayed objects from its permanent collection.
Forty unexpected and compelling artifacts in the exhibition weave together almost 400 years of Castine history. Organized by a team of community members and staff, the objects selected for exhibition tell Castine stories which are both familiar, like the town’s Revolutionary War history, and unexpected, such as its African American history.
The exhibition is divided into themes that help visitors dive into these fascinating stories of the past and present.
“Castine at War” looks at why major world powers fought over the peninsula and also examines how subsequent wars—including those not fought in town—affected the average Castine citizen.
“Castine at Sea” not only delves into the careers of wealthy ship captains but also the people who worked on the docks to support this maritime trade.
“Castine at Work” explores how politics, community organizations, and occupations helped shape the town. The exhibition ends with “Castine and the Arts,” which examines the significant role the arts, artists, and writers played and continue to play in this community.
The Historical Society exhibits are free and open from June 10-Sept. 2, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Fall hours are Sept. 7-Oct. 14, Friday, Saturday, Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Free one-hour walking tours of Castine are offered Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 10 a.m. beginning June 22. No reservations are needed to take a walking tour.
Exhibitions are housed in CHS’s Abbott School gallery at 17 School Street, where visitors will also find a gift shop and a community meeting space. The neighboring Grindle House at 13 School Street houses offices and a research library, where visitors are welcome by appointment year-round. For further information visit castinehistoricalsociety.org, call 207-326-4118, or email info@castinehistoricalsociety.org.
