The 1960s represented a fundamental reassessment of what the contours of American civil society could- or should- become. Issues of war and peace represented by the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and the war in Vietnam competed for attention with the Civil Rights movement which compelled people to re-examine American society in uncomfortable ways. Organizations formed to manage these efforts, and to collaborate between communities, states, and regions. The Committee for Peace on Mount Desert Island was one such example of a trend taking place in communities across the country, attempting to resolve these issues with calls for peace and understanding. Geographically distant and socially isolated are not synonymous terms. Although Mount Desert Island is far distant from Vietnam or the more famous scenes of the Civil Rights movement, islanders were deeply engaged with the broader social conversation. Part of this engagement was encouraging education, debate, and advocating for change. The Mount Desert Island Committee for Peace represents the culmination of these organizational efforts. The Mount Desert Island Committee for Peace reflected the challenges and opportunities of the 1960s. The great social movements of the era, and the ever-present potential for world war provided opportunities for citizen groups to voice their support (or lack of support) for causes far beyond their local area.

This program was a collaboration between the MDI Historical Society and the Northeast Harbor Library.