Fall 2025

From the Executive Director, Raney Bench

It feels like everywhere you look, things are getting more contentious and divided, unless you look at the work of the MDI Historical Society! I am proud of the work we do, bringing our communities together to share, listen, laugh, and connect through conversation. Often we gather over food, especially this year, as our programs focus on The Art of Nourishment and the articles and artwork featured in Chebacco. We continue to convene community conversations about sea level rise, working with first responders to understand how rising seas could affect emergency response and community preparedness. We share this information with island towns through their sustainability committees and through our partnerships with A Climate to Thrive, Schoodic Institute, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. By working locally, what can often feel like a challenging or overwhelming problem becomes approachable as people agree on values and brainstorm solutions. History shows us how our communities have changed, and this knowledge empowers us to be flexible as we plan for the future.

At the MDI Historical Society, we love sharing island history so it feels relevant and exciting. Our two new exhibits in Somesville provide a foundation of island history, encouraging people to go out and explore to learn more. Our new digital history tour and mobile app, “What Happened Here,” takes people on the landscape of MDI to the places where history happened, and connects them to partnering organizations where they can learn more. Because we know history is a community resource, everything we do is free and open to the public. To support this work, please become a member or donate today! Thank you for your support.

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