Member Monday: Eliot Elisofon’s Vinalhaven Summers with Kevin Johnson

Monday, March 9th, Noon on Zoom

Free, Members Only

In 2020, PMM received nearly 2,000 photographs taken on and around Vinalhaven by renowned Life magazine photographer Eliot Elisofon. Now digitized and cataloged, the collection will be highlighted by Photo Archivist Kevin Johnson during this Member Monday presentation.

Member Monday presentations are exclusive content for PMM members. Not a member? Join here!

By Cipperly Good, the Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History

When I arrived at the Museum 16 (!) years ago, I was given two immediate tasks: refresh our long-standing Working the Bay exhibit and “teach” a session at Belfast’s Senior College. Teach is in quotes because I learned more from the long-time residents of Waldo County than I could teach them. I like to think that in the intervening years of research that balance has shifted more in my favor.

Belfast Senior College is a rich resource for area residents 50 years and older, offering non-credit classes in a variety of topics. PMM staff have been regular instructors for these month-long courses on topics enhanced by our collections. In these classes, we have met many of our trusty volunteers, who provide context to our collections from their vast knowledge of local history.

By Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist

I am thrilled to announce my new book Boothbay Now and Then has arrived from the printers! It’s been a long time coming! This project began a little over three years ago when George McEvoy of Boothbay Harbor asked me to do a photo book of the Boothbay Region. George was a giant figure in Boothbay. He was the founder of the Boothbay Railway Museum, and saved numerous historic buildings, including Boothbay’s original town hall, from the wrecking ball. He championed the area’s history and was always very generous to projects that benefited the people of Boothbay. The project was funded by the foundation established by his mother, Mildred H. McEvoy. Sadly George passed away in June shortly after seeing the final draft version of the book.

The book draws its “then” photos from the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co. Collection. The Boothbay peninsula is made up of numerous villages and island communities. With the help of George and numerous other local people, I was able to find the locations of the original spots. Over the course of a couple of years, I re-photographed them from the same vantage point as the Eastern photographers did 100 years ago. I had to tap the drone services of a family friend, Joe Potter, to take the “bird’s eye view” photos in a few locations where the trees had grown back to block the earlier view. Working with local people and historians, I added historical captions to the images. It is very satisfying to me when our photo archive gets “put to work.” Having old and new photos side by side allows viewers to see clearly what has changed and what has not.

While my name is on the cover as the author, this was no solo project, and it would not have been possible without the help of many people. In addition to George, it is especially important to me to thank Barbara Rumsey, who knows Boothbay’s history better than anyone and was a huge help with the Boothbay Harbor and East Boothbay captions as well as her introduction. Also thank you to Norma Whitman, who once again came through and designed a beautiful layout. In addition, the acknowledgments in the book list many of the local folks who helped. One person I forgot to acknowledge is our own Director, Karen Smith, who painstakingly reviewed the text for errors and typos several times! Thanks Karen!

There will be a book release celebration in the spring in Boothbay. Stay tunes for more information. In the meantime, you can order a copy through our online store. 

This exclusive video about the Big Jim restoration project—usually available only to our members—is now open to the general public. Whether you’ve been curious about what you’re missing or just love getting early access to the good stuff, now’s your chance to dive in. Watch here.

Looking for something for you kids to do during school vacations? Check out our April Mini Vacation Camps and our summer Kids Camp!

A Jeff Dworsky photo from the PMM collection was featured as February’s “Backspace” in The Rising Tide. And, in Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, there was a wonderful article written by Letitia Baldwin about the Big Jim project.