The great schooners Luther Little and Hesper lived the last of their many lives in view of route 1 in Wiscasset. For over 60 years these vessels were prominent landmarks for Maine tourists, serving as a visible reminder of Maine’s maritime past. Even after they were dismantled for safety reasons, parts of the vessels live on in Maine Maritime Museum and in homes throughout Midcoast Maine. Attendees will learn about the economic factors that motivated the building of wooden cargo schooners in the early twentieth century and the technologies that worked alongside and later displaced these vessels. They will also consider how wooden, sail-powered cargo vessels, once commonplace, have become iconic symbols of Maine’s identity as “Vacationland” and a draw for visitors from all over the world.

Kaylie Borden O’Brien is the Museum Education Specialist at Maine Maritime Museum. Kaylie designs and delivers education programming to museum visitors of all ages and has a professional background in alternative and experiential education in classrooms and on tall ships. She holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Saint Joseph’s College and Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and political science from the University of Idaho, as well as Maine State teaching certification and a 100-ton captain’s license.