Maine Memory Network

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Student Narrative of MDI History

"The woods consist of pines, firs, and birches only. I named it Isle des Monts Déserts. The latitude is 44° 30'.” (This quote came from MEMOIR OF…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - …then came the settlers…

"… of rum, and documented the deal on a piece of birch bark—which he somehow lost. A “fishy” story, now legendary. In 1761, Somes built his Mt."

Guilford, Maine - Early Manufacturing - Page 3 of 3

"… of the raw materials required, primarily white birch trees, and in 1956, purchased the Draper Mill, a modern sawmill designed to manufacture…"

Mount Desert Island: Shaped by Nature - Beginnings

"They traveled the ocean, rivers, lakes and ponds in birch bark canoes, making seasonal journeys to hunt and gather wild animal and plant foods."

Maine's Swedish Colony, July 23, 1870 - Industry

"… record for hauling the largest load (11 tons) of birch logs six miles to the mill with one pair of horses."

Guilford, Maine - Early Manufacturing - Page 1 of 3

"… in order to be nearer a large source of white birch when their only supplier in Michigan discontinued operations."

Beyond Borders - Mapping Maine and the Northeast Boundary - Fixing Borders on the Land: The Northeastern Boundary in Treaties and Local Reality, 1763-1842 - Page 3 of 5

"… Chief Francis Joseph Neptune shared with Pagan on birch bark as well as Pagan’s letter to Ward Chipman about his meetings with First Nation people…"

Skowhegan Community History - Abenakis in the Norridgewock/Skowhegan Area

"They were able to go night fishing with birch bark torches. The children would hunt sea birds and spear crabs and lobsters."

New Portland: Bridging the Past to the Future - North New Portland Village

"… employment for many and gave a ready market for birch timber. Osie's Texaco Service Station calendar for North New Portland, 1948New Portland…"

Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Arctic Studies Center

View collections, facts, and contact information for this Contributing Partner.

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown - Brief History

"… elevations provided a variety of wood, “…maple, birch, beach, (sic) ash, elm, basswood, pine, hemlock, fir, spruce, cedar with some oak on the…"

Islesboro--An Island in Penobscot Bay - Historical Overview

"… found mostly spruce and a scattering of beech, birch and maple trees. Fish and clams were plentiful, as well as wild duck."