BOOTHBAY HARBOR

Boothbay Harbor has one of the finest natural harbors on the Maine coast. Long before it became nationally known as a summer resort it was famous as a fishing and trading port as well as shipbuilding center with ships anchoring here from all over the world.

The early settlement, called Townsend, was incorporated in 1764. Today, the boatyards produce pleasure and commercial craft and the harbor and moorings are crowded with both resident and visiting boats of all sizes. Commercial wharfs offer visitors an opportunity to view fishermen unloading the day's catches.

A variety of day cruises are offered as well as deep-sea fishing trips and offshore clambakes. Fine accommodations and restaurants featuring Maine seafood and other native specialties are abundant, as are attractive and unusual shops. The well stocked library in the center of town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The YMCA is among the finest anywhere, with its Olympic size swimming pool, racquet and handball courts and gym.

Overlooking the harbor is St. Andrews Hospital with adjacent clinic and professional complex. The State of Maine Department of Marine Resources maintains its laboratories at McKown Point, as does world acclaimed Bigelow Laboratory. A marine aquarium is open summers and visited by thousands each year. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a station at Boothbay Harbor and serves the boating public of mid-coast Maine.

Brick House Gallery, adjacent to the Post Office, is open July through mid,September and features paintings, sculpture and graphics by Boothbay Region and Monhegan Island artists; daily 11-5, and Sunday, 12-5. The Boothbay Region Historical Society on Oak Street has a profusion of interesting information and is open 10-4 daily and Sunday, 2-4.