Wanderers in Wonder

Monson, Maine.

The first sign one sees in Monson, Maine. The sign refers to the most famous section of ‘The Trail’, the 100 Mile Wilderness. 

A rough and rangy backpacker who had just come down from the North on ‘The Trail’ through the 100 Mile Wilderness asked about where to eat. Mary Ann , “just had a good burger and fries at the Spring Creek BBQ”. “The fish taco plate was quite good also”, I add. “Where is it? I will have both.” Off he went to his ‘surf and turf’ repast.

The population of this small village at the southern edge of the Maine North Woods has declined in almost every decennial census since 1940. The population hit 609 in the 2020 census…smallest since 1870. But, ‘there’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear’.

The General Store is busy as are the two restaurants that are open.  People are walking the streets and paddle boarding the lake, Hebron. But, it is more than that. Most of the buildings in the really small towns we have passed through in our New England trek are showing their age. Monson’s buildings all look newly renovated and painted. 

The old Swedish Lutheran Church is in a fine state repair. 

The clerk/docent at the ‘community art gallery’ is impeccably dressed, very well-spoken and is a fountain of information about local arts and artists. 

‘The Quarry’, a fine dining establishment, is only open for dinner, a big deal in such a small town.  

‘Something is happening here.’

Mary Ann enters the Historic Society Museum and is greeted with, “darn, forgot to lock the door, we are actually closed”. Before we can even ask what time they open, Glen Poole, our greeter says, “but you are already in, how about a tour”. We tell him we can come back when he opens. He won’t hear of it. An hour or two later we know Monson. Lumbering, to slate mining (the slate at JFK’s grave in Arlington is from Monson), to furniture manufacturing, to decline. 

Glen was born and raised in Monson. His parents owned and operated the Monson General Store (above). Glen has a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maine. He spent his working life in Bangor. He always kept the family home in Monson. When he retired he came home.

The Historic Society Museum is entered through the door on the right. The Museum is upstairs.

As we finish our tour and history lesson on all things Monson I ask Glen my question, “what is happening here”. 

“Well Joe, I will tell you”… 

“In 2017 the LIBRA Foundation decided to revive this town and turn it into an ‘Art Community’. Since then the foundation has spent upwards of ten million dollars buying and refurbishing buildings, turning the abandoned elementary school into an art center, luring artists to the community, building a gallery for local artists, anything to bring the town back to life. Our population is up 42 since the 2020 census. More than a dozen artists have taken up residency. Something IS happening here.” 

And now it is perfectly clear, thank you Glen. Population now 651, a bit more than the census of 1870…closing in on 1880. 

Peace…Wanderers in Wonder.