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Monhegan
Plantation
Plantation of Monhegan Island
Monhegan Harbor in 1909
Location in Lincoln County and the state of Maine.
Coordinates: 43°45′59″N 69°19′5″W / 43.76639°N 69.31806°W / 43.76639; -69.31806
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Lincoln
Incorporated	1839
Area
• Total	4.5 sq mi (11.7 km)
• Land	0.9 sq mi (2.2 km)
• Water	3.7 sq mi (9.5 km)
Elevation	160 ft (0 m)
Population
• Total	64
• Density	14/sq mi (5.5/km)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	04852
Area code	207
FIPS code	23-46335
GNIS feature ID	0582600
U.S. NNL	Designated: 1966

Monhegan (/mɒnˈhiːɡən/) is an island in the Gulf of Maine. A plantation, a minor civil division in the state of Maine falling between unincorporated area and a town, it is located approximately 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the mainland and is part of Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 64 at the 2020 census. The plantation comprises its namesake island and the neighboring island of Manana. The island is accessible by scheduled boat service from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. Visitors' cars are not allowed on the island. It was designated a United States National Natural Landmark for its coastal and island flora in 1966.

History

The name Monhegan is a corruption of Monchiggon, the Abenaki language term for "out-to-sea island" used by Samoset, an Abenaki sagamore and the first Native American to make contact with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, in his early contacts with the English. European explorers Martin Pring visited in 1603, Samuel de Champlain in 1604, George Weymouth in 1605 and Captain John Smith in 1614. The island got its start as a British fishing camp prior to settlement of the Plymouth Colony. Cod was harvested from the rich fishing grounds of the Gulf of Maine, then dried on fish flakes before shipment to Europe. A trading post was built to conduct business with the Indians, particularly in the lucrative fur trade. It was Monhegan traders who taught English to Samoset, the chieftain who in 1621 startled the Pilgrims by boldly walking into their new village at Plymouth and saying: "Welcome, Englishmen." On 28 January 1623 the Council for New England issued a commission for seizing the "Island of Mannahigan". Settlement by William Vengham and William Pomfret in 1623 caused William Bradford to include Monhegan among places that experienced "scattered beginnings" that year.

On April 29, 1717, Monhegan was visited by the Anne, a small square-rigged snow crewed by pirates. She had originally been captured off the Virginia Capes in April by the pirate Samuel Bellamy in the Whydah, which wrecked in a storm on the night of April 26, 1717, off Cape Cod. The Anne made it through the storm with another captured vessel, the Fisher (which was soon abandoned and the pirates aboard her transferred to the Anne). The pirates, led by Richard Noland, arrived at Monhegan on April 29, and waited for the Whydah, for the pirates had not seen or heard about the Whydah wrecking in the storm of the night of April 26. The pirates eventually realized the Whydah was lost, and proceeded to attack vessels at Matinicus Island and Pemaquid (now Bristol). They outfitted for their own uses a small 25-ton sloop belonging to Colonel Stephen Minot they had captured off Matinicus. They abandoned all the other captured vessels (including the Anne) and most of their prisoners at Matinicus on or about May 9, 1717, on Minot's sloop.

Despite success as a fishing and trade center, Monhegan would be caught in the conflict between New England and New France for control of the region. During King Philip's War (1675-1678), dispossessed English settlers from the mainland sought refuge on the island before being relocated elsewhere along the coast. During King William's War (1688-1697), the island was captured for the Kingdom of France in 1689 by Baron de Saint-Castin. He destroyed the fishing fleet and burned the buildings, with many inhabitants escaping to Massachusetts. But even during periods when Monhegan was abandoned, its convenient offshore harbor remained a stopover destination for ships. The end of the French and Indian War in 1763 brought peace to the area, and on September 4, 1839, Mohegan—again under English Colonial control—was incorporated as an island plantation.

In 1824, a conical stone lighthouse was built on the island by order of Congress and President James Monroe. Damaged by storms, it was replaced in 1850 by the present 48 foot (14.6 m) granite tower, with a fog bell station built in 1855 on nearby Manana Island. The island's 1,000 acres (400 ha) of good land encouraged agriculture, with potatoes the chief crop. But fishing was always the most important industry, whether locally or at the Grand Banks. Today, it still dominates Monhegan's economy. From October 1 through June, fishermen harvest lobsters from the only lobster conservation area in the state of Maine.

Henry Trefethen was one of the original purchasers of Monhegan Island. The Trefethen House, the oldest house on Monhegan Island, served as a hotel for island visitors, and remains standing today.

Artist colony

The beginnings of the art colony on Monhegan date to the mid-19th century; by 1890, it was firmly established. Two of the early artists in residence from the 1890s, William Henry Singer (1868–1943) and Martin Borgord (1869–1935), left Monhegan to study at the Académie Julian in 1901. Among many early members who found inspiration on the island were summer visitors from the New York School of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, such as Robert Henri, Frederick Judd Waugh, George Bellows, Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent.

Later members of the artist colony have included Jay Hall Connaway, Abraham Bogdanove, Andrew Winter, Reuben Tam, Frances Kornbluth, Elena Jahn, Lynne Drexler, Edward Betts, and Jamie Wyeth. The 150-foot (50 m) northside cliffs at Blackhead have drawn the interest of Monhegan artists, including Kent, Hopper, and Kornbluth. The Monhegan Museum celebrated more the continuing draw of the island for artists in a 2014 exhibit entitled, "The Famous and the Forgotten: Revisiting Monhegan's Celebrated 1914 Art Exhibition."

• Artist painting fisherman en plein air at Fish Beach. Photo by Warner Taylor.
• The Gulls, Monhegan by George Bellows
• 1940s view of the main track in town by Sears Gallagher
• Monhegan. Maine (1922) by Nicholas Roerich (Google Art Project)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the island has a total area of 4.5 square miles (12 km), of which 0.9 square miles (2.3 km) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km) (80.97%) is water. Monhegan is an island 1.75 miles (2.82 km) long and .75 of a mile (1.2 kilometers) wide, located in the Gulf of Maine, part of the Atlantic Ocean. Adjacent Manana Island helps form Monhegan Harbor.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 75 people, 46 households, and 21 families residing in the plantation. The population density was 87.5 inhabitants per square mile (33.8/km). There were 177 housing units at an average density of 206.4 per square mile (79.7/km). The racial makeup of the plantation was 97.33% White and 2.67% Asian.

There were 46 households, out of which 13.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.3% were non-families. Of all households 47.8% were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.63 and the average family size was 2.24.

In the plantation the population was spread out, with 10.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 37.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 127.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.1 males.

The median income for a household in the plantation was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $53,125. Males had a median income of $36,563 versus $13,333 for females. The per capita income for the plantation was $20,568. There were 10.5% of families and 3.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 10.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Sites of interest and outdoor activities

Summer months bring artists and tourists on several daily ferries. Visitors arrive at the ferry landing or on a beach in the village precinct. The village includes a church, private homes, hotels, art studios, private homes for rent and a few small stores, including one that sells fresh fish/lobster. Much of Monhegan is uninhabited and open for exploration on 17 miles (27 km) of hiking trails, which lead to high cliffs overlooking the sea. Inland paths lead through woods, including the Cathedral Woods. A tradition of building miniature "fairy houses" from found materials in Cathedral Woods and other areas has brought controversy, guidance and even destruction of non-compliant constructions.

The hill above the village is the site of the Monhegan Island Light, which offers a view of the village, the harbor, Manana Island, and across the sea to the west. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the Monhegan Museum, which is open middays from late June through September; the museum houses artifacts, reflecting the island's history.

The island is on the Atlantic flyway and is a stopover for migrating birds and the birdwatchers who come seasonally to observe them.

Monhegan's library was founded as the Jackie and Edward Library, named after two children who were lost to high waves on the island's shoreline, and specialized in children's literature. It became the Monhegan Memorial Library and broadened its literary selection.

Education

In 2005, the Monhegan Island School had seven students, ages five through 12 (kindergarten through eighth grade), all taught by a single teacher; high-school students must attend school on the mainland. The schoolhouse reportedly also serves as a community center, which is site of the annual Christmas play and community dinner.

Notable people

The following are people who have either resided on Monhegan or regularly visited the island:

• George Bellows, artist
• Abraham Bogdanove, artist
• Jon Bogdanove, comic book artist
• Kate Chappell, artist, entrepreneur
• Tom Chappell, entrepreneur
• Jay Hall Connaway, artist
• Edward L. Deci, professor
• Lynne Drexler, artist
• Theodore Miller Edison, businessman
• Ernest Fiene, artist
• Sears Gallagher, artist
• Robert Henri, artist
• Edward Hopper, artist
• Wilson Irvine, artist
• Elena Jahn, artist
• Rockwell Kent, artist
• Frances Kornbluth, artist
• Josh Mostel, actor
• Zero Mostel, actor
• Robert Mrazek, congressman from New York
• Remak Ramsay, actor
• Edward Redfield, artist
• Samoset, Abenaki sagamore
• Sonya Sklaroff, artist
• Frederick Judd Waugh, artist
• Andrew Winter, artist
• Andrew Wyeth, artist
• Jamie Wyeth, artist
• N.C. Wyeth, artist

Gallery

• The village
• The harbor
• The Inn

See also

• List of islands of Maine
• Rockwell Kent Cottage and Studio, also known as Kent-Fitzgerald Home

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Monhegan plantation, Lincoln County, Maine". Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
2. Michelle (2016-10-25). "What Life Is Like Inside The Tiny Island In Maine With No Cars". OnlyInYourState. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
3. "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Archived from the original on 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2019-03-22. Year designated: 1966
4. Nestor, Sandy (2012). Indian placenames in America. Jefferson, N.C. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-7864-9339-5. OCLC 908634818.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
5. Society, American Antiquarian (1922). Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society. American Antiquarian Society.
6. ^ Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp. 211–212. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
7. Porter, Joseph W. (1888–1889). The Bangor Historical Magazine. Vol. 4. Bangor, Maine. pp. 81–83.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
8. Anderson, Robert Charles (2024). "1623". American Ancestors. 25 (3). American Ancestors: 40–45.
9. Sandler, Martin W. (2017). The Whydah: a Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found. Somerville MA: Candlewick Press. pp. 44–79. ISBN 9780763680336. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
10. "Deposition of Ralph Merry and Samuel Roberts" Boston. May 11, May 16, 1717. in Jameson, John Franklin. "Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period: Illustrative Documents." New York: Macmillan Company, 1923, pp. 301-302; "John Newman to Governor Shute" Gloucester. May 12, 1717. Massachusetts Archives 51:290
11. Varney, George J. (1886), Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Monhegan, Boston: Russell
12. 123rd Maine State Legislature (2007-06-04). "An Act To Provide Flexibility within the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area and To Strengthen the Eligibility Requirements for a Student Lobster Fishing License" (PDF). HP1302, LR 2618, item 1. PUBLIC Law, Chapter 219 LD 1870, item 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-07-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
13. "Monhegan Island, ca. 1940". Maine Memory Network. Archived from the original on 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
14. Chambers, Bruce W. (2007). Maine: A Legacy in Painting, 1830 to the Present. Spanierman Gallery, LLC. ISBN 978-0-945936-73-2.
15. "A Painter of Monhegan". Rockwell Kent on Monhegan. Monhegan Museum. 1998. Archived from the original on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-02-16.
16. Beem, Edgar Allen (2011). "Edward Hopper in Maine". Yankee Magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-02-16.
17. Kornbluth, Frances (1985). "Ocean: A View of Blackhead". franceskornbluth.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-02-16.
18. Keyes, Bob (July 13, 2014). "Monhegan celebrates century of art, 400 years of settlement—An art show at the island museum re-creates a famous 1914 exhibition". Lifestyle. Portland Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-02-16.
19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
21. Patricia Schultz, 1000 Places to see in the United States and Canada before you die Workman Publishing 2011 page 27
22. "Trail Highlights – Monhegan Associates, Inc". monheganassociates.org. Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
23. Fleming, Deidre (2014-08-02). "On Monhegan, resistance to fairy houses". Press Herald. Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
24. "Monhegan Museum". Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
25. ^ "Attractions—Exploring Monhegan". Frommer's. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-01-11. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
26. Editors (1918). Maine Library Bulletin. Maine Library Commission. pp. 123–4. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
27. Sullivan, Margot; Krusell, Cynthia Hagar; Galluzzo, John J. (2009-05-11). Monhegan Island. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439637333.
28. ^ Ellis, Neenah (December 23, 2005). "Maine School Binds Isolated Island Together". America's One-Room Schools. National Public Radio. Archived from the original on 2014-01-11. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
29. "Penobscot Bay—Monhegan". Island Institute. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
30. ^ Morais, Richard C. (February 26, 2009). "A River Runs Through It". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
31. Staff (October 29, 2017). "Final class of "Staying in Charge Series on Pro-Active Aging" to feature Kate Chappell". Boothbay Register. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
32. "Director who turned tiny Monhegan Museum into a fine-art destination is retiring". Retrieved 2024-06-25.
33. "Ernest Fiene | Wreck at Monhegan Island". whitney.org. Archived from the original on 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
34. Curtis, Jane; Curtis, Will; Lieberman, Frank (1995). Monhegan, the Artists' Island. Down East Books. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-89272-347-8.
35. O'Brien, Andy (May 19, 2016). "The Congressman of Monhegan". The Free Press. Rockland, Maine: Free Press Online. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
36. "Golden Jubilee for Monhegan Museum of Art". Knox County VillageSoup. 2018-06-24. Archived from the original on 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-11-30.

Further reading

• Trotter, Bill Monhegan Prepares for Wind Power Bangor Daily News, Oct. 28, 2010

External links

• Visitors' Guide
• WCVB profile, "Main Streets and Back Roads: Monhegan Island"
• The Influence (Monhegan, Maine)

43°45′44″N 69°19′13″W / 43.76222°N 69.32028°W / 43.76222; -69.32028

v t e Municipalities and communities of Lincoln County, Maine, United States
County seat: Wiscasset
Towns	Alna Boothbay Boothbay Harbor Bremen Bristol Damariscotta Dresden Edgecomb Jefferson Newcastle Nobleboro Somerville South Bristol Southport Waldoboro Westport Island Whitefield Wiscasset
Plantation	Monhegan
Unorganized territories	Hibberts Gore Louds Island
CDPs	Boothbay Harbor Damariscotta Newcastle Waldoboro Wiscasset
Other villages	Bayville Chamberlain Coopers Mills Isle of Springs New Harbor West Boothbay Harbor
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