The director of the Maine Granite Industry Museum on Mount Desert, Steven Haynes, will speak about the granite industry in the quarries on this side of Penobscot Bay at the Camden Public Library on Thursday, October 24, at 7:00 pm. The talk is part of the library’s “Discover History Month.” Haynes will speak on quarrying and about the granite industry in the quarries of Knox County, including notable quarries in St. George, South Thomaston, Tenants Harbor, Vinalhaven, Hurricane Island, and Muscle Ridge Plantation. All are welcome.
Granite quarrying began in Maine as early as 1830 and is still a large industry today, with quarries operating in several areas around the state. The Maine Granite Industry Historical Society works to collect and preserve material pertaining to this once important industry of Maine. The Museum houses hundreds of the tools used by the quarrymen, blacksmiths, stone cutters, and stone carvers. On display are over 350 historic photos, company ledgers, books, Union badges and constitutions. “We have the largest collection of books relating to the granite industry and family genealogy writings from the families of the men who worked the quarries,” says Haynes.
“Steven really loves granite. He loves showing off the hammers and drills that he has collected. He loves telling the stories of the men who made the granite industry a major employer on Mount Desert Island -- he has a map on display of all of the quarries that were being worked there in the 19th century -- about 50 of them.,” says Jeff Richman, Green-Wood Cemetery historian.
The mission of the Maine Granite Industry Historical Society is to collect and preserve all artifacts, books, photos, and other materials pertaining to the granite industry in Maine as well as educate students, scholars, residents, and visitors about the industry, culture of the times involved, and provide historical information and genealogy through rare books, photos, and other materials in tours and actual presentations of granite and stonework.
PHOTOS:
Steven Haynes, founder and curator. Photo taken by visitor, Paul Glenn who says in an email: “Steven, thank you very much for the personalized tour of the granite museum. The short time I spent there helped open up new interests for me in the geological aspects of Mt. Desert Island in the remaining days of our vacation in Maine. I’ll never look at a piece of granite quite the same way again! It’s so great to have folks like you to document history in such great detail the way you are doing.”
United States Treasury Building, Washington, DC. Fluted columns from the Dix Island Granite Company.
Quarry wharf scene at Long Island, Friendship, 1880s
Hall’s Quarry, Stonington, photo by Jeff Richman, Green-Wood Cemetery historian
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