Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association celebrates America’s 250th
Historic schooners, racing yachts, row boats ‘and more’ to visit Bucksport, Castine, Bangor, Brewer, Searsport
The Harvey Gamage, a 131' gaff rigged schooner, was built int 1973 in South Bristol, Maine. The vessel is now part of the Maine Learning Project. Photo courtesy of Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association>
July 15, 2026
By Staff
ORRINGTON—The Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association is celebrating America’s 250th birthday “with a big splash,” a press release said, with upcoming events scheduled in Bucksport and Castine from July 28 to Aug. 3. Events will also be held in Brewer and Searsport.
“Historic schooners, racing yachts, row boats and more will be navigating the waters of the lower Penobscot River basin,” the release said.
Each event is designed to “honor” Maine’s “rich maritime past in the waterfront towns that anchor the geographic area known as the 4-Port Loop,” the release said. This year, the anchor ports are Bucksport, Castine, Searsport and Bangor/Brewer.
Bucksport
Sunday-Monday, July 26-27
Cruise ship American Independence in port.
Thursday, July 30-Sunday, August 2
Fort Knox’s Shakespeare in the Park: 6-8:30 p.m.
Fort Knox: open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory: open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, July 30
Harvey Gamage arrives in port.
Friday, July 31
Harvey Gamage departs for Bangor at 7:30 a.m. High school students are invited to register here: www.marinelearningproject.org
Harvey Gamage returns 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 1
Harvey Gamage in port for free onboard tours 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Waterfront Exhibit Area: Maritime History, education, and employment, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. including:
Maine Maritime Academy’s new Energy programs.
UMaine’s 3-D Printed Boat: UMaine’s Advanced Composites Dept. presents their latest innovations from 3-D technology to composites.
Job opportunities in maritime trades.
Ken Hendrickson’s martime and historical paintings.
Alamo Theater: maritime history movies 12-3 p.m. including a video about the logging history on the Penobscot; ships of the Penobscot Expedition, some vintage home movies and more!
Main Street merchants and restaurants: special offers all day!
Harvey Gamage onboard dinner reception 6:30 p.m.
Happy Birthday, America! Drone Light Show over the river, 8:45 p.m.
Sunday, August 2
Harvey Gamage in port for onboard tours.
Monday, August 3
Harvey Gamage departs with new students. High school students are invited to register here: www.marinelearningproject.org
Tuesday-Wednesday, August 4-5
Cruise ship American Legend in port.
Castine
Saturday, July 25
Art Under the Elms: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28
Dyce Head Lighthouse:open with new displays, 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29
Yachts & Schooners on display: at the Town Dock, Castine Yacht Club and Eaton’s Boatyard, 12-4 p.m.
See Monaco’s crown jewels of yachts: Viola, Tuiga, and the historic restored Notre Dame des Flots.
Waterfront Wednesday: live band, entertainment, food truck, new Town Dock Eatery and Danny Murphy’s Irish Pub, Town Dock, 4-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 30
27th annual Castine Classic Yacht Race, 12 p.m.
Presentation by David Wyman about the new replica of the Defence, the 85’ ship from the Penobscot Expedition, 1 p.m. at the Wilson Museum.
Monday, August 3
Harvey Gamage arrives in port.
Ongoing Events & Activities in Historic Castine
Wilson Museum: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.- Sun. 2-5 p.m.
Perkins House Tours: Wednesdays & Sundays, 2-5 p.m.
Fort George: See British fort remnants from the Penobscot Expedition and War of 1812. Free to tour on your own, sunrise to sunset.
Fort Madison: Ramparts of fort built to defend Castine in War of 1812. Free to tour on your own, sunrise to sunset.
Witherle Woods Preserve: Walk the sites of the Penobscot Expedition of 1779. Free to tour on your own.
Virtual History Tour of Two Wars: Penobscot Expedition siege and battles of 1779 and War of 1812. https://castine.stqry.app/story/93235
Castine Historical Society: American Revolution exhibit. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
1-Hour Walking Tours: of Castine history, Free, Castine Historical Society, 10 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays.
For more information about Penobscot Maritime Heritage Association’s upcoming events, including details about visits in Searpsport and Bangor/Brewer, visit https://www.penobscotmaritimeheritage.com/.