Southwest Harbor Historical Society

People gathered at the church whether it was the Sabbath, a Town Meeting or a court proceeding. As the membership grew, improvements were made to the building. Over the years a central front door replaced two side doors, and a steeple was added. The Ladies Aid Society paid $193.42 for the bell which was purchased in honor of the nation’s Centennial Celebration. The bell was rung to mark many special occasions in Southwest Harbor, adding to the importance of the church to its community.

As Aimee Williams recently recalled, “I grew up just a few houses down from the Church. Many children lived in the neighborhood. If you got to church early on Sunday, you might get picked to ring the bell that announced the morning service. There was a rope attached to the bell in the belfry that came down through the second floor into the vestibule. The fun part was once you got the bell swaying, if you hung onto the rope, it would lift you off the floor. Looking back, it was a good way to get us to come to church.”

The historic meeting house came on the market in 2018. Fortunately, interested community members and neighbors, many with memorable connections to the property, came together with a “win-win” idea: save the building and create a permanent home for Southwest Harbor Historical Society. Since its inception, the Historical Society had borrowed spaces in Southwest Harbor to house a fraction of its large collection and to educate the public about the character and culture of this community.

The building’s purchase was made possible through the generosity of many people dedicated to preserving “what was” while creating a home for archival material illustrating the life and culture of times past.

Once again, this building is a gathering place but this time for educational programs, thematic exhibits, public events, and more!