|
Sign Up!
Maine Real Estate
e-mail alerts!
Great Maine
Vacation Places
Bar
Harbor
Kennebunkport/
Kennebunk
Rockland
more
vacation places
Maine Regions
Southern
Maine Coast
Greater
Portland Maine
Midcoast
Maine
Western
Maine
Mountains
& Lakes
Downeast
Maine
Maine
Highlands
Kennebec
& Moose
River
Valley
Aroostook
County
Building A Maine
Vacation Home
Maine
Architects Directory
Alternative
energy in Maine
Maine Resources
Property Tax Lookup
Maine Skiing
Sunday
River
Sugarloaf
Mt
Abram
Shawnee
Peak
Black
Mountain
Lost
Valley
Saddleback
Mountain
Camden
Snow Bowl
more
about Maine Ski Areas
Additional Links
Links
of interest
Contact VeryMaine
Post
your property
Contact
Verymaine
|
Rockland, Maine
A verymaine.com introduction to the
city of Rockland
(Click here to view Rockland and midcoast Maine Real Estate)
In a state known for its prowess in the lobster industry, it
has to mean something special when you’re dubbed “Maine’s
Lobster Capital.” For Rockland, it makes sense. From the
early days where the sea provided most residents their
living, especially lobstering, to the annual
Maine Lobster
Festival of modern day, the crustacean has played a big role
in Rockland’s history.
The largest town in Knox County, over 7,600 people live in
Rockland according to the 2000 Census, although that number
can more than double in summer months when part-time
residents and visitors descend upon the popular coastal
location.
 Settled in 1769, Rockland was originally part of nearby
Thomaston. It wasn’t until 1848 until it became a separate
town, then named East Thomaston and was officially chartered
as a town in 1854. While the town was built as a fishing
community, changing times have forced a move in the economy
toward more of a service center town and have seen steady
increases in tourism. The tourism has also caused the
downtown to reinvent itself into one of small shops,
restaurants and galleries.
While Rockland’s tourism is obviously built on its abundant
natural resources, there are plenty of other things to do
around town.
First and foremost is
The Farnsworth Art Museum, offering a
nationally recognized collection of American art. Such names
in 18th- and 19th-century American art history as Gilbert
Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz
Hugh Lane, Frank Benson, Childe Hassam, and Maurice
Prendergast are represented in the museum's permanent
collection entitled “Maine in America.”
The museum also houses the nation's second-largest
collection of works by premier 20th-century sculptor
Louise
Nevelson and has opened four new galleries to showcase
contemporary art. Its Wyeth Center exclusively features
works of Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth — often dubbed
“America's first family of art.”
During peak season, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. with reduced winter hours. Admission is $10 for
adults, $8 for seniors and students and free for anyone
under the age of 17.
For those who visit Rockland to see some of the 14 local
lighthouses, a must-see stop is the
Maine Lighthouse Museum,
home to the largest collection of lighthouse lenses,
lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the
United States. Admission to the museum is $5 with varied
hours year-round.
Spouses who may have been dragged to Rockland
by their significant other to see the birthplace of poet
Edna St. Vincent Millay can take refuge in the fact that the
Rockland Golf Club is a just a mile from downtown.
Timing a visit to Rockland is important since two of Maine’s
biggest festivals,
The Maine Lobster Festival and North
Atlantic Jazz Festival both take place in the summer.
The Maine Lobster Festival, held the first week of August,
is similar to many of Maine’s traditional county fairs minus
the livestock. The festival has also boasted a more famous
and more diverse national entertainment schedule than any
fair can claim. But, there is plenty of food (especially
lobster) and a carnival to make sure every family member
enjoys themselves.
The North Atlantic
Blues Festival features a much more
subdued atmosphere during the day, welcoming some of the
countries top jazz and blues musicians. At night, 15
different venues in town offer additional music, free with
admission to the festival, which marks its 14th year in
2007.
- Continued: Rockland ocean front learning
©2007verymaine
- No part of this document may be reproduced without
permission |
