THE BLUE DUCK SHIPS' STORE & THE ISLESFORD HISTORIC MUSEUM Islesford LITTLE Historic Museum CRANBERRY ISLAND Blue Duck Ships' Store Islesford ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LITTLE CRANBERRY ISLAND ISLESFORD, MAINE 04646 Courtesy Eastern National Park & Monument Association The Blue Duck Ships' Store (so named because a blue The museum collection retains documents and land wooden duck in profile is mounted on the door frame) is grants proclaiming that this region was New France an unadorned wood frame structure that represents a before it became New England. The museum houses simple building style common to maritime villages in the name boards from tall ships and life saving gear salvaged nineteenth century. Edwin Hadlock, a local entrepreneur from ship wrecks. It contains tools and instruments - built the Blue Duck about 1850, and he and his sons marlin spikes, sextants, a ship's compass - that identify Gilbert and William used it as a ship's chandler for at a seafaring people. Wind-up clocks, a candlestick stand, least 25 years. But after 1875, selling provisions to ships cloth dolls, toy boats, and pewter houseware suggest the seems to have been discontinued, and the Hadlocks pleasures that these prossessions may have given their probably operated it as a general store. About 1912 owners. Well designed furniture such as a cradle, a china George Hadlock, the last member of the Hadlock family to cabinet, and an assortment of elegant chairs signify an own the Blue Duck, sold it to Doctor William Otis island people who knew the consoling qualities of beauty Sawtelle, a Haverford College professor. and practicality. A spinning wheel, needle works, a cooper's bench, and cobbler's gear - all these bear witness to generations of independent and self- sustaining Americans. The Islesford Historic Museum and the Blue Duck Ships' Store not only commemorate those who lived on the THE BLUE DUCK SHIPS' STORE Cranberry Islands but also preserve a part of the history of maritime New England. The buildings tell of a time As a summer resident Doctor Sawtell became interested when area boats and ships sailed the fishing banks, the in the history of maritime New England in general and coastal routes, and the distant seas. But above all they Little Cranberry in particular and soon formed the tell of a hardy and industrious people and of a coastal Islesford Historical Society. By 1919 the Blue Duck THE ISLESFORD HISTORIC MUSEUM culture that has become a part of our national heritage. exhibited various historic objects and memorabilia collected by the Society. But it soon became apparent to Doctor Sawtelle that the ever expanding and valuable You may visit the Islesford Historic Museum 10 a.m. - 4 collection required a permanent home. By 1927, under p.m. daily from the last week in June to mid-September. Doctor Sawtelle's leadership, friends of the society Admission is free. The Blue Duck Ships' Store contains contributed sufficient funds to erect a slate-roofed brick restrooms but the remainder of the building is closed. and granite building - the Islesford Historical Museum. In Commercial passenger ferries operate daily and regular 1948 the Museum and the Blue Duck became part of service from Mount Desert Island to Islesford when the Acadia National Park. museum is open.