Islesford, Maine facts for kids
Islesford is a small village located on Little Cranberry Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. It is one of five islands that make up the town of Cranberry Isles. This island is found in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Mount Desert Island, which is home to Acadia National Park. As of 2013, about 65 people lived in Islesford all year round.
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Getting to Islesford
You can reach the island village of Islesford in a few ways. One option is the Beal and Bunker mail boat and ferry service. This ferry leaves from Northeast Harbor in the town of Mount Desert. Another choice is the Cranberry Cove Boating ferry service, which departs from Southwest Harbor and Manset. During the summer, you can also take various water taxis. Popular water taxis include "Cadillac Water Taxi" and "Delight," both leaving from different harbors.
Arts and Culture on the Island
Little Cranberry Island has several fun places to visit, especially during the warmer months. These include the Islesford Dock Gallery and Restaurant, where you can enjoy art and food. You can also find unique items at Islesford Pottery and the Islesford Artists Fine Art Gallery. The Islesford Congregational Church is also on the island. It is famous for its beautiful Sea Glass Windows created by the artist Ashley Bryan. The Islesford Historical Museum is another important spot. It is part of Acadia National Park and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Learning at the Ashley Bryan School
Islesford is home to the town's public school, called the Ashley Bryan School. This school has two rooms and was named in 2011. It is special because it's the first public school in Maine to be named after a visual artist. It is also the first to be named after an African-American person. In 2017, the school had 14 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It had two full-time teachers helping the students learn.
The Ashley Bryan School is part of a group of six island schools. These schools are small, with only one or two rooms. They form the Outer Island Teaching and Learning Collaborative. This group allows students and teachers on different islands to learn together remotely. Islands involved include Matinicus Island, Monhegan Island, Isle au Haut, Cliff Island, Frenchboro, and The Ashley Bryan School in the Cranberry Islands.
Famous People Connected to Islesford
Islesford has been a home or a special place for some notable people.
Ashley Bryan: Artist and Illustrator
Ashley Bryan was a well-known illustrator and artist. After he retired from teaching art at Dartmouth College, he chose to live in Islesford. The Ashley Bryan Center, which celebrates his work, is also located there.
Mary Winslow Smyth: Folklorist
The folklorist Mary Winslow Smyth spent her summers in Islesford. She used the town as a base for her research. Her work led to two important books: Minstrelsy of Maine: Folk-songs and Ballads of the Woods and the Coast and British Ballads from Maine. These books collected traditional songs and stories from the region.
