Boothbay Region

Vintage vehicles of all sorts tell the transportation story through carriages, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, engines and aircraft —all still operational. For Arctic enthusiasts, the 1926 Model-T Ford converted into a snowmobile is most intriguing. Donald MacMillan used an identical vehicle and conversion kit in Labrador on his 1927-28 expedition, introducing the first snow machine to the region. The museum’s snowmobile still runs, and events featuring it and the museum’s other vehicles in action are announced on its website. Footage of MacMillan’s snowmobile in operation in Labrador can be found on the web.

Address: 117 Museum Street, Owls Head, ME 04854

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Photo courtesy to Owls Head Transportation Museum.

Hodgdon Yachts of East Boothbay (formerly Hodgdon Brothers) is a five-generation family business that has been building ships and boats for 200 years. In 1920, Donald MacMillan selected this yard to construct the Schooner Bowdoin, the only American schooner that was designed and built specifically for Arctic exploration work. The Bowdoin under MacMillan’s command sailed to the Arctic between 1921 and 1954, including three overwintering expeditions. The shipyard is not open to visitors.

Address: 14 School St., East Boothbay ME 04544

Website: http://hodgdonyachts.com/

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Image courtesy of Hodgdon Yachts, East Boothbay.

Scientists at Bigelow Laboratory are involved in Arctic research on a variety of fronts. Current research includes an ongoing inquiry into how microbes in the Arctic Ocean affect climate change in the Arctic. The lab’s capabilities span documenting and forecasting environmental changes, to assessing the ecological impacts of increased human activity in the Arctic, to developing the best scientifically based solutions for specific problems. While the labs are closed to the public, researchers host weekly gatherings in July and August to present their results to the public. These Café Scientifique gatherings offer real science in a fun, casual setting. Check their website for specific dates and locations.

Address: Bigelow Laboratory Commons, 60 Bigelow Drive, East Boothbay, ME 04544

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Image courtesy of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay.

This scenic harbor looks much as it did in the 1940s and 1950s, when Donald MacMillan’s Arctic expeditions departed from Boothbay Harbor. Large crowds gathered at the dock on departure day, and often dignitaries gave speeches before MacMillan’s vessel, the Schooner Bowdoin, departed. Celebrations continued after the Bowdoin left the dock, as many local vessels accompanied the schooner out of the harbor. With some imagination, a cruise today on one of the many vessels offering day trips can offer a similar experience!

Boothbay Harbor on Google Earth. See website for directions.

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Photo courtesy of Carol M. Highsmith.