MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

MACHIASPORT, ME

Baby Puffin One of the real special treats during our boat trip to Machais Seal Island was to see very briefly a baby puffin. Our guide had never seen one. It turns out that the fledged chicks sometimes come out of their burrows at night possibly being confused by the light of the lighthouse. The naturalist capture and band them and release them near the water. This one was hiding under the boardwalk and discovered by the naturalist who is holding the chick. We had a brief time to observe and snap some photos before she took the chick to the water. — Baby Puffin Credit: Me in ME

The Machiasport Historical Society Inc is a non-profit organization located in the town of Machiasport, Maine. The society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Machiasport and the surrounding area. The society was established in 1985 and has since then been actively involved in collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the town's history.

The society's collection includes items such as farming equipment, maritime artifacts, clothing, and tools used by early settlers in the area. The society's headquarters are located in the old Machiasport schoolhouse, which was built in 1857. The schoolhouse was renovated by the society and now serves as a museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the town and its people.

The society regularly hosts events such as lectures, tours, and workshops, which are open to the public. The society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, which features articles on local history and updates on the society's activities.

The Machiasport Historical Society Inc is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate about preserving the town's history. The society welcomes new members and encourages anyone interested in local history to join and get involved.

MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in MACHIASPORT ME. US MID #8402300409

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).

Posing Puffin Another puffin photo from our trip last week to Machais Seal Island. Note the claws on the webbed feet. They are very good swimmers. The claws allow them to did into the soil to make their burrows where the usually one egg is laid and the chicks remain until they are ready to swim and fly.

Aren't I Cute One of the hundreds of puffins on Machias Seal Island in Canada or the US.

Beakful I took this photo yesterday when my wife and I were able to visit Machais Seal Island off the coast of northeastern Maine. It is one of the few places people are permitted to visit and it is tightly controlled one US and one Canadian company providing tours. Reservations are made months in advance. From Cutler, Maine it is a ten mile boat ride and all in all takes 5 or so hour. The viewing is done for an hour from small enclosed blinds. Puffins only live on land for about 3-4 months and the rest of the year are on the ocean in the north Atlantic. I learned that Seal Island's ownership is in dispute between Canada and the US. The Canadian Coast Guard operates the lighthouse on the island.

The following is from a Maine site about puffins.
Atlantic/Common Puffin Fratercula arctica is the scientific name of the Atlantic puffin, which means little brother of the north. Puffins are members of the seabird family called alcids. The Atlantic puffin is only one of three kinds of puffins. The horned puffin and the tufted puffin are found in the Pacific Ocean. It is estimated that there are 15 to 20 million pair of puffin in the world. Puffins resemble penguins as their white underbelly contrasts their black coat. This coloring is a form of camouflage called counter shading. Puffins are 29-34 cm in length with a wingspan of 21-24 inches. Puffins are nicknamed parrots of the sea, because of their colorful triangular shaped beaks. Entering mating season in spring, the puffin's beak is red with an inner section of yellow; the corners of the beak are blue. In early fall the blue plates on the beak fall off and the puffin's breeding plumage changes to a subdued tone. The average puffin life span is 25 years. A puffin's age can be determined by looking at the number of grooves on the beak; one groove represents two years.

Puffins get from one place to another in several ways. Puffins are strong fliers averaging speeds of fifty miles per hour. The puffin's wings flap between three and four hundred times per minute. Puffins are skilled swimmers as well; their webbed feet help to move them swiftly through the water and effectively to capture small fish.

Atlantic puffins live at sea for nine months of the year and live in puffin colonies the rest of the time. It is widely believed that puffins mate for life although they do not begin the mating process until age five. When nesting, female puffins lay just one egg per breeding year with an incubation period of forty-two days.

Puffins make their homes in crevices between rocks or use their webbed feet to dig burrows. Interestingly, puffins maintain the same burrow year after year. Puffin couples do not always see each other throughout the winter but meet up at the nest each spring.

Ghost of Andy Left to right: Jupiter, Saturn, Milky Way, Campfire, Andy

Contact MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
PO BOX 301
MACHIASPORT
ME
04655

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MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC Information

MID #	8402300409
Name	MACHIASPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
Alternate Name
Classification	Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , New England
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)	222473233
NTEECC	A82
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)	201204
INCOME	0
REVENUE	0
LAT/LONG	44.664282, -67.391721
CODES	FIPS State Code: 23 FIPS County Code: 029 US Census Tract: 956100 US Census Block: 2013