Help Us to Continue the Conversation

Mount Desert Island has a vibrant and diverse history, and with your support, the MDI Historical Society can foster meaningful engagement with the stories, people, and events that have shaped this island and its communities. The Society continues to grow our outreach and collaborations within all island and area towns, connecting with thousands of people each year.

Thanks to members we offer over 35 free annual public programs, we work with hundreds of students, and we care for over 20,000 unique historical materials in our collection, our award-winning journal Chebacco shares new perspectives and stories, and our team is supported as we build programs and partnerships that make history relevant by connecting the past to issues our communities face today

“This was an excellent talk! Especially the first part, giving historical background on the housing crisis, but the tie-in to modern-day issues was primarily what drew me in. I also appreciated the well-moderated, calm discussion. I’m trying to get my young coworkers to attend future talks!”
— Feedback from "A History of Housing with Thoughts for the Future", with Raney Bench, Noel Musson and Susanne Paul, co-hosted with the Northeast Harbor Library
“I came to hear from young members of each town on MDI. I have a deep desire to give back to my community as a newish year-round member here.”
— Attendee comments after "Stories for Change" a panel discussion with young, local leaders talking about the island's future, co-hosted with the Northeast Harbor Library
“I loved this program. We are in Maine six months a year and I have had trouble meeting people. This was inspiring and enhanced my connection to Maine.”
— History Book Club participant, after reading and discussing "Murder with an Ocean View" by MDI author Rob Lawton

This past year we began public conversations addressing the island’s housing crisis. "A History of Housing with Thoughts for the Future" compared past events, such as the island’s auto wars, to our current housing debates. We learn from these stories in the hope of strengthening our communities, and plan to bring this program to every town on the island.

We look forward to sharing next year’s programs with you. The annual Baked Bean Supper focuses on the 2025 Chebacco theme of food and the history and role of civic engagement in healthy communities. Our summer author series will continue the conversation with programs based on Chebacco articles, including food insecurity, local chefs and the farm-to-table movement, traditional Wabanki foods, and MDI’s connection to the West Indies slave trade.

Members make all of this possible! As we grow, so does the number of people attending programs and events, becoming members, and volunteering in our archives. We need your help to meet the needs of our community. Please join today!