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Working the Sea

January 4 - February 28

Belfast Free Library, 106 High St., Belfast

During normal business hours



Fishing is fundamental, older than farming. We depend on it, but the large-scale drama— grueling work, exposure to the elements, shrewd gaming of natural systems, competition, navigating the tension between prosperity and limitation, and getting the product to consumers is invisible to most of us. Technology has revolutionized the industry, but brought us to new impasses. The photographs of National Fisherman, a major player in the world of fisheries journalism, and its predecessor, Atlantic Fisherman, bring that drama to light.

A recently published book by long-time National Fisherman contributor, Michael Crowley, reveals a multitude of these stories. This exhibit is inspired by his efforts. 

By Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist

It was like Christmas morning at our December Collections Committee meeting when several exciting “new” collections were added to the PMM Photo Archive. 

One of the new collections features photographs and boat plans related to the Perry B. Duryea and Son Inc. lobster transport business from Lynn Duryea. Lynn’s father, Perry, founded the business in the 1940s, and it operated into the 1970s. Live lobsters were shipped down the east coast in “smack boats,” which had wet wells in the holds that allowed seawater to circulate to keep the lobsters alive during transport. 

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

When counting the number of sardine canneries in Maine, your result depends on how you do it. Do you count individual businesses or the physical structures that housed various companies over the years? Either way, suffice it to say that our state’s coastline from Portland to Robbinston was covered in canneries. As we brainstorm ideas for our 2025-2026 Sardineland exhibit at the Museum, we are puzzling over how to visually represent the sheer number of canneries in Maine. Our current dream is to create a wall of sardine can logos representing many, if not all, the canneries from 1875-2010. Thanks to a donation by Mike Strang of dozens of cans and lids, we are step closer to our dream. 

Photo: Intern Tiffany shows her sample paper bag puppet for the “Where the Wild Things Are” themed camp day.

The Museum campus may appear quiet at this time of year, but there’s plenty going on behind the scenes! In between paperwork, budgeting, and planning, we have some exciting things in the works. Here’s a few highlights.

Searsport senior Tiffany Butler walks over from the High School two days each week for her internship with the Education Department. Her project is to help plan the upcoming February Break Tall Tales and Fish Stories Camp. She’s enjoying reading children’s books, finding fun games, and testing out crafts and activities. Find out more about school break and summer camps here.

We’re making some upgrades in the Savage Education Center to create even better fun, learning experiences. For example, when we open in May, we will have new costume clothing! These pieces are designed and fabricated by Camden Breckenridge (PMM Interpreter and former intern). They’re inspired by real historic clothing, but they are easy to put on and adjustable for different sizes.

For a peek at our off-season work, January means the return of Member Mondays. We’ll kick off this series with a look at how we explore the science and history of Maine’s lime industry in school programming. February’s program will feature Photo Archivist Kevin Johnson talking to Wayne Hamilton about his photography. In March, Curator Cipperly Good will give an update on the Sardine Cannery listening sessions and Executive Director Karen Smith will close out the series in April.