Rockland’s native son, John Bird, has put together a compilation of his essays on “local heroes” that originally appeared in the Herald Gazette. Rockland, Maine’s Tidal Turn is the result and it is a part of Rockland’s history that needed to be told.
We’ve had our captains of industry and local movers and shakers in the past like Hiram Berry, William T. Cobb, and Alton Blackington. Rockland has evolved over the years from one basic source of local economy to another. Mostly these re-emerging eras were product based such as the lime and fishing industries.
Bird reminds us of more recent entrepreneurs who revitalized Rockland through cultural pursuits. Rockland is now a cultural center for the midcoast and Maine in general. I would venture to say we have international renown these days if national magazines that feature Rockland for one reason or another is considered.
To begin with, I appreciate the inclusion of the downtown map and the much- needed updated historical timeline for Rockland. Another native son, Paul Merriam, adds a wonderful historical essay that catches us up to the present time and to Bird’s essays.
I noticed that a lot of the “heroes” mentioned came from “away” or moved back to Maine after being “away” for several years. Although local people don’t always trust “outsiders,” I think we’ve learned that they give us another perspective on our economy and our physical surroundings. They saw the possibilities where we saw boarded up businesses and experienced the community-wide depression that comes from living in such an environment.
Sometimes it takes another’s “eye” and another’s vision. They were willing to take a chance on Rockland and saw the possibilities. The result is a “cultural” based economy which draws visitors from all over the state and all over the world.
Consider the transformations as discussed so well by Bird. We went from water and odor pollution to a tourist destination. Rockland is no longer bypassed to get to better places in Maine. We went from the year the Lobster Festival almost saw its end because of lack of interest and volunteers to a venue for a Blues Festival and Summer Solstice celebration, and the Lobster Festival to boot.
We went from a smelly polluted harbor to a harbor filled with pleasure boats and a harbor with many new and revived marine-related businesses. We also increased our Windjammer Fleet to seven. Camden is no longer the Windjammer capitol of the midcoast.
The local heroes described by Bird created a domino effect that continues today. The galleries appeared at about the same time as more interest in the Farnsworth developed. The museum expanded its physical area and added another museum, The Wyeth Center, across the street on Union Street. Outreach and a program center for teens was realized as well as acquiring the Olson House, subject of Andrew Wyeth’s work, as a museum in itself.
Other physical changes followed the Farnsworth--like development of a Lighthouse Museum; an organization to preserve the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse; changes at the public library; and the refurbishing and reopening of the Strand Theater.
Institutions were also developed, like the Island Institute, Penobscot School, and the Lincoln Center which have enriched the community several-fold.
Rockland now is known as a cultural center and as such it draws a wide variety of tourism. From the “boat” people who stroll down Main Street during the summer, to those who come to enjoy the food in our many world-class restaurants. We now have chefs in residence who are known world-wide.
Besides the galleries, we have book stores and musical entertainment, especially the Blues, in our cafes and restaurants year-round.
Whereas some of us may long for a Main Street like it used to be with all the clothing and shoe stores, etc., I don’t think we can complain about how our city turned out. It is a cleaner, more pleasant, and fun place to be these days. Thank you, John, for bringing these heroes to our attention.
I think Paul Merriam summed it all up in his foreword: “ …for most of its history, {the city’s} core economy…depended largely on the exploitation of…nearby natural resources for manufacturing, processing, or direct export.”…”Rockland’s comeback…has been driven by ideas, services, and creativity ‘in which entrepreneurialism, the arts and tourism {have played} much greater roles than in the past.’”
If I have one complaint about the book it’s that darn hat John is wearing on the back cover. Ditch the hat, John. Get yourself some professional shots. You’ll need them in the future if you can bring us another book like this one.
A job well done overall, John and Paul.
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