October Presentation
Packed Like a Can of Sardines
When: 7pm, Monday, October 27, 2025
Where: Abbott Room* at the Belfast Free Library
Cost: Free ($5 donation appreciated)
*Event limited to 75 attendees.
Kevin Johnson, Photo archivist at the Penobscot Marine Museum, will present his program illuminating how the sardine industry supported Maine coastal communities for well over a century. The workforce in canneries included thousands of women, even more than the number of men fishing for herring. This industry was a part of the economic, cultural, and social fabric of families and communities all along our state’s coast. The Penobscot Marine Museum will be celebrating this industry in their Welcome to Sardine Land exhibit and photo archivist Kevin Johnson will cast a net into PMM's photo archives and share many fishy photos and the stories behind them in his presentation.
Hello America!
The Story of the Experimental RCA Radio Station in Belfast
Harry Nelson, radio historian, presents an in-depth look at the history of the Radio Corporation of America’s relay station located in Belfast from 1921 to 1929. March 14, 2025 marked the 100th anniversary of the history making first live trans-Atlantic long-wave radio broadcast from London, England to the Radio Corporation of America’s relay station located on Congress Street in Belfast. This broadcast paved the way for full global communications.
Hear for yourself the rare recordings of that 1925 broadcast
Become a BHSM Member
Joining or renewing your membership costs only $20, and shows your dedication to preserving and sharing Belfast’s unique history. Your financial contribution provides for community programs, educational events, scholarships for future historians, artifact preservation and museum operations.
10% discount to all members on retail items available at the museum, including our new book Images of America, Belfast.
BHSM Publications
Introducing Belfast, the newest book in Arcadia’ Publishing’s Images of America series available for purchase at the Museum.
Co-authors Megan Pinette and Jane McLean have assembled informative and entertaining text with photographs from the Belfast Museum, Belfast Free Library and Penobscot Marine Museum collections. Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr, Maine State Historian, wrote the foreword.
The book highlights Belfast history from early settlement in 1770 to 1953, the year we celebrated 100 years as a City. Belfast will feature both photographs and text which highlight our history from 1770-1953. Chapters will include "Belfast Views", "Making A Living", "Home Sweet Home", "Celebrations" and more.
Books are available for purchase at the museum, local outlets, and Amazon.
Featured Video Presentations
More BHSM Videos
These programs are held at the Belfast Free Library. Check schedule for dates and time. Many of our recent programs can be viewed on our Vimeo channel.
Belfast History is Your History!
We need your support to keep the Belfast Historical Society & Museum open and continue to preserve Maine's coastal history. Please consider a small donation.
Thank you!
What People Are Saying
“Belfast History Comes Alive”
The Belfast Historical Society & Museum is a hidden gem right off the town's center. I visited with my small group on a recent Saturday and we found the collection interesting and the staff friendly.
—Visitor from Warren, Massachusetts
“Great Little Museum”
If you are in Belfast or from Belfast there is no reason why not to spend 45mins or so at this free museum. It has tons of interesting articles, artifacts, and pictures of the history of this charming little town. It can ben done in 30mins or over an hour, however long you wish. Don't forget to visit the barn next door too. Really enjoyed reading about the history of the town, it has a lot of it for such a small place.
— Visitor from Miami FL
“The perfect little museum”
This is a wonderful place. Megan, loves to help, we are now looking up the history of my house. Fascinating history. Open during the tourist months.
—Visitor from Belfast, Maine