(207) 594-4401 or (800) 559-4401
What to know before you go
Island Rules
1. Smoking is banned everywhere except in the village
2. Camping and campfires are forbidden islandwide
3. Do not litter anywhere on the island — fireboxes are not for garbage
4. Bicycles and strollers are not permitted on the trails of the island
5. Dogs must be leashed at all times
6. On the roads, trucks have the right-of-way
7. Don’t trespass on private property
8. Rock climbing is not allowed on the wild headlands on the back side of the island
9. Do not pick the wildflowers
10. Swim only at Swim Beach
11. If you’re staying overnight, bring a flashlight. The streets and trails are not lit.
12. Be sure to carry the island map when exploring — you’ll need it.
Sites to See
Monhegan Island Light and The Monhegan Historical and Cultural Museum: In 1824 President James Monroe authorized the construction of a lighthouse on Monhegan Island’s highest point for $3,000. The first Monhegan Island Light was a granite tower with a wooden keeper’s house. In the 1850s the lighthouse was rebuilt because of damage due to storms and the 48-foot granite tower that was built still stands. It is very similar to the lighthouse on Whitehead Island, built about the same time. A new two-story keeper’s house was built in 1874.
The light remained staffed by civilian keepers until the U.S. Coast Guard took over in 1956. The lighthouse was converted to solar power in 1995 and is still an active aid to navigation.
In 1968 a museum was opened in the 1874 keeper’s house, focusing on the island’s rich history and wildlife. The Monhegan Museum is open July 1 through September, from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. It is maintained by the Monhegan Historical & Cultural Museum Association. The first floor is devoted to the island’s history and there are bird and wildflower photos on the second floor. The assistant lighthouse keeper’s house holds an annually-changing tribute to Monhegan’s many past artists
Information from A Visitor’s Guide to Monhegan Island.
Library: This small, cozy library has limited hours of operation but is well worth a visit. In addition to adult and children’s books, the library is a great place to find island-related historical information.
The amount you may pack for a trip to Monhegan island will vary depending on how long you stay on the island. But regardless of the duration of your visit, there are some musts.
Monhegan Community Church:
The church edifice was built in 1880 under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Boothbay Harbor and was formally deeded to “the inhabitants of Monhegan” in 1886.
In 1935 it underwent renovation by reshingling the roof and repainting the interior and a new hand-carved altar was donated.
In the fall of 1952 the Rev. Gertrude Anderson, a former missionary to Burma, cam to Monhegan and served for more than 13 years, winter and summer. The parsonage, a former cottage, was donated by Theodore Edison. It was moved in two pieces down the hill and put together on piers set up on a lot adjoining the church, where it was first occupied in December 1956.
Further extensive restoration was done to both church and parsonage in 1977 a d 1978, making them as they appear today.
The church is served by the Maine Seacoast Mission and invited clergy. The church is non-denominational and all are invited to worship there.
Information provided by Monhegan Community Church
Tercentenary Table: The tablet, affixed to a rock outside the white schoolhouse, commemorates John Smith’s visit to Monhegan in 1614. It reads: “Adventurer in many old world countries, a pioneer of the new world, governor of Virginia, came here with two vessels in 1614, anchored in this island harbor and explored the coast from Penobscot Bay to Cape Cod discovering a large opportunity for adding to England’s glory by colonization he returned home and spent his remaining years in advancing American enterprises. Because of his great interest in the future of American and to commemorate his connection with this island this tercentenary tablet is placed by Monhegan residents 1914.”
Monhegan School:
The school houses a tiny cast of students and one teacher (teachers change every two years); children attend until they reach high-school age, when they must travel to the mainland to continue their education. The schoolhouse doubles as a community center and often hosts concerts and other events.
What to Bring
• Insect repellent (hiking through wooded areas you’ll be happy to have bug spray because the mosquitoes can get annoying)
• Sturdy hiking boots and/or sneakers (if you have shoes that are waterproof bring them along — sometimes there are muddy, wet patches along the trails)
• Motion-sickness medicine (this could prevent a queasy feeling while you’re making your way to and from the island on the ferry)
• Rain-gear (even if the day starts out beautiful, you never know when a shower could roll in)
• Camera/binoculars (the sights are amazing and you’ll want to capture them and get a closer look)
• Sunscreen (the sun’s reflection off the water can do a number on your skin)
• Windbreaker the wind gusts near the cliffs can be chilly)
• If you stay overnight, bring along a flashlight because the area is not lighted. Also, if you visit Monhegan in the winter, bring ice skates so you can skate on Ice Pond.
Day-trip visitors may want to pack their own picnic lunch but if not, there are a few places to grab some food.
Where to Eat
Barnacle Café: in plain sight from the ferry and located down the hill from The Island Inn. Open mid May to mid October daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Offers ready-made sandwiches, salads, pastries, coffee and wine. 207-596-0371.
North End Market: up the hill from the wharf and turn right, it’s on the left. Serves pizza, hot and cold sandwiches, hot dogs, soup, salads etc. Open daily in the summer only. 207-594-5546.
Carina: sells bread, produce, coffee, wine, beer, newspapers, gourmet specialties. 207-594-0837.
Island Inn: serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located on the harbor. Open mid May to mid October. Entrées $13.95-$22. No alcohol is served, but diners can buy wine or beer at Carina, North End, or the Barnacle and bring it into the dining room. 207-596-0371.
The Monhegan House: located in the village center across from the church. Open mid May through Columbus Day. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. No alcohol is served, but diners can buy wine or beer at Carina, North End, or the Barnacle and bring it into the dining room. Entrées $13-$20. 207-594-7983.
Trailing Yew: On Lobster Cove Road, modified American plan, open mid May - mid October. Old-fashioned, low-key dining room open for breakfast at 7:45 a.m. and dinner at 5:45 p.m. 207-596-0440.
Where to Shop
Fish House Fish: Open daily 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 4-6 p.m. Offers fresh fish, boiled lobsters, lobster rolls, crabmeat rolls and locally smoked fish.
Black Duck Emporium: in the Fish House. Offers seaglass, jewelry, film, postcards, t-shirts, art supplies, books, Monhegan momentos and more.
The Lupine Gallery: at the end of Wharf Hill Road, features Monhegan artists, original works and reproductions, custom matting, framing and art supplies.
Where to stay
The Island Inn: 207-596-0371, located on the harbor. Open mid May to mid October. Three-story mid-19th-century building.
The Monhegan House:, 207-594-7983, located in the village center across from the church. Open mid May through Columbus Day.
Shining Sails Bed & Breakfast: 207-596-0041, rooms & efficiencies and rentals of island cottages, ocean views.
The Tribler Cottage: 207-594-2445, on the meadow, housekeeping apartments, open year round.
Hitchcock House: 207-594-8137, at the top of Horn's Hill, rooms, efficiencies, open year round.
The Trailing Yew: 207-596-0440, On Lobster Cove Road, modified American plan, open mid May - mid October.
Information from Directory of Monhegan Enterprises.
Keep in Mind
One of the greatest assets of Monhegan is its seclusion. But with it, comes some adjustments from daily life.
• No bank — While Monhegan does not have a bank, it does have an ATM, located in Barnacle Café.
• No cars — Passengers only are allowed on the island.
• Credit cards — They are not accepted everywhere but personal checks, traveler's checks or cash are.
• Public telephones — If you want to use a public phone, even for local calls, you will need a phone credit card or calling card.
• Public restrooms — The only one that is unconnected to a restaurant or lodging is on Horn Hill, near the Monhegan House, and it costs $1 to use it.
• Emergencies — The island has no doctor, medical facility or pharmacy, but there is a 911 dispatcher who can send rescuers to the site of an emergency.
Art on Monhegan
Artists have flocked to Monhegan to savor the beauty of the island and recreate it in their own way.
Several studios are located up and down the island.
Sylvia Alberts — oils, June - September, Tuesday & Friday 2-4 p.m., White Head Road, halfway to lighthouse.
Dyan Berk & Mike Stiler — Paintings and sculpture, Thursday & Saturday 2-5 p.m., closed July 6-20 only, also by appointment 594-0613, Lobster Cove Road, next to the Trailing Yew.
N.T. Brown — Mixed media, monotype and collage, Mid July-August, Wednesday & Friday 2-5 p.m., 594-6963, Lobster Cove Road, opposite the Trailing Yew.
Kate Cheney Chappell — Watercolors, printmaker & collage, July by appointment only, call 596-6675. August, Thursday 2-5 p.m. Road to Black Head Trail, take a left at Deadman's Cove.
Donna Cundy — Acrylics, everyday June-August 1-3 p.m., 594-2404, Lobster Cove Road, opposite the Trailing Yew.
Yolanda Fusco — Watercolors and Litho, July & August, Monday, Wednesday & Friday 2-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-noon, across from North End Market.
Lawrence Goldsmith — Watercolors, Wednesday & Friday 2-5 p.m., mid June - mid September. 596-6098. Lobster Cove Road, right at first fork on top of hill, left at next fork.
Elena Jahn — Paintings and drawings, Wednesday & Friday 3-5 p.m., June - mid October. 596-7243, Lobster Cove Road, bear right, on the right.
Ed Johnson & Maiken Kunces — Everyday 1-5 p.m., Horn's Hill, third path on left, near stone beach, 596-6726.
Norma Kaplis — Watercolors and mixed media, Wednesday & Saturday 1-3 p.m., late June - mid October, also by appointment, 594-0041, end of Harbor Road on the left.
Frances Kornbluth — Wednesday & Friday, 2-5 p.m., July & August, 594-8302, Lobster Cove Road, at fork bear right then left at second fork.
Lucia Miller — Fired clay & figurative sculptures, Thursday 1:30-3:30, first right on the Ice Pond Road.
Sylvia Murdock — Watercolors & oils, Tuesday & Thursday 1-4 p.m., 594-2912, on the Burnt Head Trail on the right.
Frankie Odom — Paintings, prints & collage, July, Wednesday & Friday 2-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-noon. Fish House across from North End Market, first floor level.
Joan Rappaport — Watercolors, pen & ink, August, Wednesday 2-4 p.m., September by appointment only. Leave a message at the Monhegan House on Main Street.
Joanne Scott — Watercolors & Printmaker, June - August, Tuesday & Thursday 2-4 p.m., 596-0247, Road to the dock, across from Island Inn.
Arline Simon — Artist, July - October, Tuesday & Thursday 2-4 p.m., Horn's Hill, third path on the left from the bottom of the hill.
Robert Smith — Photography, mid July - mid September, Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday 2-4 p.m., 594-5852. Red house on Main Street next to Swim Beach.
Beth Van Houten — Oils, late June - September, Thursday 2-4 p.m., up Horn's Hill, before top bear left, then take path on right.
Jerry Vis — Paintings & sculptures, July 2 - Aug. 3, Tuesday & Saturday 1-5 p.m., second left past the Monhegan House.
Fred Wiley — Everyday 1-4 p.m., also by appointment 594-1040, opposite the Trailing Yew, Lobster Cove Road.
How to get There
Three private ferry cruises take passengers to and from Monhegan Island year-round.
•Balmy Days Cruises, Boothbay Harbor, (207) 633-2284, (800) 298-2284
• Hardy Boat Cruises, New Harbor, 1-800-2-PUFFIN / (207) -677-2026
•Monhegan Boat Line, Port Clyde, (207) 372-8848