Green Ellsworth to Host Annual Union River Watershed Summit
On May 16 and 17, Green Ellsworth will host its annual Union River Watershed Summit and celebration of all things relating to the river. The theme for this year’s Summit is Looking Backward/Looking Forward. Activities and programming will enable participants to examine the historical and changing character of the river prior to the building of the Union River Dam in 1907 to inform a consideration of the opportunities and options for the future of the river and the city of Ellsworth.
Activities will include a May 17 (noon) tour of the Union River Dam, its historic powerhouse and fish lift (in operation—courtesy of Black Bear Hydro Partners, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable). This will be combined with a free brown bag lunch along the river. Other features include a 20 foot outdoor display at the Moore Community Centre (125 State Street, Ellsworth) featuring a giant brook trout created by local artist Joey Rizzo. There will also be displays by Green Ellsworth’s partner organizations as well as an indoor exhibition of Rizzo’s art work.
Informational sessions and public forums will begin on May 16 (4:00PM) with a zoom session looking back at the pre-1907 history of the river in Ellsworth presented by
Dwayne Shaw, Executive Director of the Downeast Salmon Federation and members of the Ellsworth Historical Society. Register at:
https://uregina-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/nN99BopWRtCmr82jpTnc2g.
The May 17 in-person sessions (Moore Community Center beginning at 9:30AM) will feature the second part of Dwayne Shaw’s presentation—looking forward at options and opportunities relating to the Union River and Ellsworth. Austin Schuver, Land Protection Manager for Frenchman Bay Conservancy, will continue the exploration of opportunities with a preview of an economic impact study of the river that is about to be released by Heart of Ellsworth, Downeast Salmon Federation, Union Salmon Association and Frenchman Bay Conservancy.
The day will also include the premier of a new film focused on historic mechanisms of navigation and access points along the river by Bill Fogle, President of the Ellsworth Historical Society. This is the most recent installment in a series of short films that Fogle is developing on the settlement and environmental history of the river.
This annual Summit is intended to draw together stakeholders from communities across the watershed and Hancock County to learn about the historic and future importance of the Union River, identify issues of concern and follow up actions, and envision the river’s place in the future of our region. Public input will be encouraged throughout the summit and a report on follow up actions from previous summits will be provided.
The Summit is being presented by Green Ellsworth in partnership with: Downeast Salmon Federation, Downeast Trout Unlimited, Ellsworth Historical Society, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine Audubon.
All summit events are open to the public free of charge but advance registration for the zoom event is necessary. For more information go to https://www.greenellsworth.org/community-events or contact Mary Blackstone at 667-8878 or blackstm@uregina.ca.
Prohibition-Era Train Ride
Join us Sunday, June 22, at 1 p.m. for a 1920s themed train ride with refreshments and live music. Tickets are $30 and benefit the Ellsworth Historical Society.
Jane’s Walk: “Bricks and Beams”
Step into the past as we explore the evolving landscapes of Church, High, and Pine Streets, uncovering how Ellsworth’s downtown has transformed over time. Using historic maps and photos, we’ll compare today’s streetscapes with their appearances from the 1880s to the 1940s, revealing layers of history hidden in plain sight.
Through the lens of cultural geography, we’ll examine how businesses, residences, and public spaces have shifted in response to economic booms, fires, changes in transportation, and the evolving needs of the community. As we walk, we’ll discuss how past generations shaped these streets—and how their choices continue to influence the city’s character today.
One key stop will be the former site of the Unitarian Church at the corner of High and Main Streets. When the building was demolished (for reasons we’ll explore), it set off a ripple effect in local preservation efforts—one that still impacts Ellsworth’s approach to historic conservation today.
The tour begins in Ellsworth’s historic district, proceeding down Church Street, where we’ll use maps and photos to compare past and present streetscapes. Crossing Main Street, we’ll walk along the section of High Street where 19th-century structures remain, then turn onto Pine Street, concluding at a local food and drink hub on Pine Street.
Participants may park at City Hall and use the public restrooms at the library before the tour begins. While we will pause at various points to examine photos and maps, there will be no formal rest stops until the final stop. The tour is expected to take 60–75 minutes.
Accessibility:
The tour will walk along uneven sidewalks, and will cross Main Street at the crosswalk. Most of the walk will be on the sidewalks of side streets, and comfortable shoes are suggested. There will be some incline and some decline in elevation along this walk. Motorized wheelchairs may find the uneven sidewalks and lack of cut curbs inaccessible.
Starting Location:
Meet in front of the Old Jail (brick structure at 40 State Street), which is across from City Hall Parking Lot, uphill from the Library (20 State Street) and downhill from the Court House (50 State Street)
Ending Location:
Food and drink hub, with access off Hancock Street, two blocks from City Hall Parking Lot and beginning of the walking tour.
25 Pine St., entrance off Hancock St.
Ellsworth, Maine 04605
Jane’s Walk: “History Detectives”
Calling all young explorers and history detectives! Join Jennifer Sala, Chair of the Ellsworth Historic Preservation Commission and board member of the Ellsworth Historical Society, for a fun and interactive walk along the river trail behind the Ellsworth Public Library.
On this kid-friendly adventure, participants will sleuth out hidden clues from the past. Along the way, young historians will learn how to "read" the landscape, uncover traces of Ellsworth’s past like slag, and get a super simple introduction to archaeology.
This walk is all about curiosity and discovery, perfect for kids who love mysteries, digging into history, or just exploring the outdoors. Put on your detective hats, bring your sharpest observation skills, and get ready to uncover the secrets of Ellsworth’s past!
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Ellsworth Historical Society will be a presentation on ancestor research using the online resource Family Search and an update on the digitization of historical materials into a Maine community online archive called History Trust.