Monhegan, Maine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monhegan
Plantation
Plantation of Monhegan Island
Monhegan Harbor in 1909
Location in Lincoln County and the state of Maine.
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Lincoln
Incorporated	1839
Area
• Total	4.5 sq mi (11.7 km2)
• Land	0.9 sq mi (2.2 km2)
• Water	3.7 sq mi (9.5 km2)
Elevation	160 ft (0 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	64
• Density	14.22/sq mi (5.47/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	04852
Area code(s)	207
FIPS code	23-46335
GNIS feature ID	0582600
U.S. NNL	Designated: 1966

Monhegan (pronounced mon-HEE-gen) is a small island in the Gulf of Maine. It's a special type of community in Maine called a plantation. This means it's smaller than a town but has its own government. Monhegan is about 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Lincoln County, Maine, in the United States.

In 2020, only 64 people lived here! The plantation includes Monhegan Island itself and the nearby island of Manana. You can reach Monhegan by boat from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor, or Port Clyde. Cars are not allowed on the island, which helps keep it peaceful. In 1966, Monhegan was named a United States National Natural Landmark because of its unique plants and coastal features.

Exploring Monhegan's Past

The name Monhegan comes from the Abenaki word Monchiggon. This means "out-to-sea island." Samoset, an Abenaki leader, used this name. He was one of the first Native Americans to meet the Pilgrims in 1621.

Early European Visits

Many European explorers visited Monhegan early on. Martin Pring came in 1603, followed by Samuel de Champlain in 1604. George Weymouth arrived in 1605, and Captain John Smith visited in 1614.

A Hub for Fishing and Trade

Before the Pilgrims settled, Monhegan was a British fishing camp. Fishermen caught lots of Cod in the Gulf of Maine. They would dry the fish on special racks called "fish flakes" to preserve them. Then, the fish were shipped to Europe. A trading post was also built here. It was a busy place for trading with Native Americans, especially for valuable furs. In fact, Monhegan traders taught English to Samoset, who famously greeted the Pilgrims by saying, "Welcome, Englishmen."

Pirates and Conflicts

Monhegan even had a visit from pirates! On April 29, 1717, a pirate ship called the Anne arrived. These pirates were part of the crew of the famous pirate Samuel Bellamy. His main ship, the Whydah, had sunk in a storm. The pirates on the Anne waited for the Whydah, but it never came. They later attacked other ships nearby.

Monhegan was also caught in wars between New England (British) and New France (French). During King Philip's War (1675-1678), English settlers from the mainland found safety on the island. In King William's War (1688-1697), French forces captured Monhegan in 1689. They destroyed the fishing boats and burned buildings. Many people escaped to Massachusetts. Even when the island was empty, its harbor was still a useful stop for ships. Peace returned after the French and Indian War in 1763. Monhegan officially became an island plantation on September 4, 1839.

Lighthouse and Lobster Fishing

In 1824, a stone lighthouse was built on Monhegan. It was ordered by Congress and President James Monroe. Storms damaged it, so a new, stronger granite tower was built in 1850. A fog bell station was added in 1855 on Manana Island.

Monhegan has about 1,000 acres (400 ha) of good land. Farmers grew potatoes, but fishing was always the most important job. Even today, fishing is key to Monhegan's economy. From October to June, fishermen catch lobsters. Monhegan has the only lobster conservation area in Maine.

The Trefethen House is the oldest house on Monhegan Island. It used to be a hotel for visitors and is still standing today.

Monhegan's Art Community

Artist painting fisherman en plein air at Fish Beach. Photo by Warner Taylor.

Monhegan became a popular place for artists in the mid-1800s. By 1890, it was a well-known art colony. Many famous artists came to Monhegan for inspiration. These included Robert Henri, Frederick Judd Waugh, George Bellows, Edward Hopper, and Rockwell Kent.

Later artists like Jay Hall Connaway, Abraham Bogdanove, and Jamie Wyeth also found Monhegan inspiring. The tall, 150-foot (50 m) cliffs at Blackhead on the north side of the island have been a favorite subject for many Monhegan artists. The Monhegan Museum often celebrates the island's art history with special exhibits.

• 

  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)

Monhegan's Geography

Monhegan Island is about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) long and 0.75 miles (1.2 km) wide. It is located in the Gulf of Maine, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby Manana Island helps to create Monhegan Harbor, a safe place for boats. The total area of the island is about 4.5 square miles (11.7 km2). Most of this area is water, with only about 0.9 square miles (2.2 km2) being land.

Who Lives on Monhegan?

According to the census in 2000, there were 75 people living on Monhegan. The island had 46 households. The average age of people living there was 48 years old.

Fun Things to Do on Monhegan

The village of Monhegan on Monhegan Island, with Manana Island in the background

The former Coast Guard fog signal station on Manana Island, across a narrow passage from Monhegan

During the summer, many artists and tourists visit Monhegan. They arrive by ferry at the landing or a beach in the village. The village has a church, homes, hotels, art studios, and a few small shops. You can even buy fresh fish and lobster!

Most of Monhegan is wild and open for exploring. There are about 17 miles (27 km) of hiking trails. These trails lead to high cliffs with amazing ocean views. Inland paths go through beautiful woods, including the famous Cathedral Woods. People sometimes build small "fairy houses" from natural materials in the woods.

The Monhegan Island Light (lighthouse) sits on a hill above the village. From there, you can see the whole village, the harbor, Manana Island, and the ocean. Next to the lighthouse is the Monhegan Museum. It's open from late June to September and shows items from the island's history.

Monhegan is also a great spot for birdwatching. It's on the Atlantic flyway, a route many birds use when they migrate. So, lots of different birds stop here, and birdwatchers come to see them.

Monhegan's library was first called the Jackie and Edward Library. It was named after two children who were lost in high waves on the island. It used to focus on children's books. Now it's called the Monhegan Memorial Library and has a wider selection of books.

Learning on the Island

In 2005, the Monhegan Island School had seven students, from kindergarten to eighth grade. All of them were taught by one teacher! Older students (high school) have to go to school on the mainland. The schoolhouse is also a community center. It hosts events like the annual Christmas play and community dinner.

Famous People Connected to Monhegan

Many interesting people have lived on or visited Monhegan Island regularly:

Images for kids

• 

  The village

• 

  The harbor

• 

  The Inn

See also

In Spanish: Monhegan para niños