Maine’s Sardine Industry To Be Topic Of History Conference

Searsport — A history conference at Penobscot Marine Museum will examine the rise and fall of Maine's once-great sardine industry, and present analysis, documentation and personal reminiscences of the final days of Maine's last sardine cannery. "And Then There Were None — The Rise & Fall of Maine's Sardine Industry" will be held Friday evening and Saturday, Oct. 22-23.

The museum's history conference draws together amateur and professional scholars and anyone interested in the history of Maine and the Penobscot Bay region. It features an evening of informal sessions and a full day of formal presentations. Presenters will include: Jeff Kaelin, former director of the Maine Sardine Council; Peter Colson, former plant manager of Stinson Seafood; Al West, Stinson's former director of purchasing; Dr. Pauleena MacDougall of the Maine Folklife Center; Bill Kuykendall of the New Media Center at the University of Maine; David Conover of Compass Light Productions; and photographer Mark Starr.

Saturday's luncheon will comprise "The Great Sardine Cookoff." Local restaurants will donate their best sardine-based dishes, and conference attendees will vote for their favorites. Nancy English, restaurant reviewer for the Portland Press Herald, will be on hand to critique the sardine cuisine. Contestants/donors include Brick House Restaurant, Captain Shorty's, Coastal Coffee, Cooks Crossing (all of Searsport), the culinary arts program at Waldo County Technical Center, and Cappy's Chowder House of Camden. A non-sardine option will also be available.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Village Soup (Belfast, ME)

Photo by Kosti Ruohomaa, Maine Sardine Council Collection