July 27 , 2021
The Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society ( S-SHS ) is pleased to support the effort to have DownEast Acadia region designated as a National Heritage Area for Hancock and Washington Counties Maine . The DownEast Acadia region has a rich cultural and natural history . That history and it ’ s spectacular natural features attract visitors to our rural region .
The National Heritage designation would help support ongoing preservation and educational efforts that are important to the quality of life of local folks and to attract visitors to the area . The Heritage Area designation will help with project funding for local communities and non-profits as well as customers for local business and industry .
Sullivan and Sorrento are in the middle of the “ Schoodic ” region , which sits on the North side of Frenchman Bay . Our history evolved around the sea . Fishing and farming , lumbering , shipbuilding , granite and mining contributed to our development . Some of these continue today , augmented by tourism and more modern industries . We had an active militia during the revolution , whose commander was captured by the British and imprisoned in New York harbor .
Our society is one of five in the Schoodic area . All of which would contribute to the importance of a Heritage area and would benefit by that designation .
We fully support the DownEast Acadia National Heritage Area and the many benefits it would supply to the region .
Sincerely ,
Gary Edwards , President
P . O . Box 44 Sullivan , ME 04664-0044 Web Site www . sullivansorrentohistory . org E-mail info @ sullivansorrentohistory . org
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