Programs & Events

Our public programs and events offer a deeper look into Chebacco articles, explore current issues in a historical context, bring the community together, entertain and delight, and inspire civic and cultural engagement. They take place all over the island at libraries and other public spaces, in-person and online. Check out our Calendar of Events for detailed information and to register, or view the Program Archive for event recordings.

In addition to our public programs, we offer several ongoing series and annual events, which are described below.

History Happy Hour

Gather over good eats and good times while learning local history in a relaxed setting. History Happy Hour is an experiential and fun way to learn local history through trivia, tours, games, and other engaging activities. We gather at island restaurants and bars every other month from September through April.

Our next History Happy Hour will take place in September 2025 at the MDI BioLab Cafeteria. Stay tuned for more information this summer.

History Book Club

History Book Club is an online community gathering to discuss books by MDI authors or with local settings, using literature as an entry point to regional history. The Society provides MDI-specific historical context to bring the novels to life, such as sharing relevant artifacts from the collection, sound bites from oral histories, and photographs or slides of the book’s people and places. The Club usually meets quarterly. What’s our next book? When’s the next meeting? How do I join? Click here to learn more.

Community Baked Bean Supper

The Community Baked Bean Supper is a beloved annual gathering held at MDI High School every January, featuring dozens of volunteers and their various beans, desserts, and all the fixings. A presentation follows the supper.

Save the date! The 15th Annual Baked Bean Supper will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 6-8 pm at MDI High School.

Click here to purchase The Baked Bean Supper Cookbook: Commemorating 10 Years of Community Suppers (2021).

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting is an opportunity for the staff and board of the Historical Society to thank our members and community, celebrate our successes, and attend to important business. 2025’s annual meeting will take place on August 21, from 5-7pm at the Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor, featuring a free community potluck and performance by historic music ensemble Lyracle. Click here for more information