Explorations - Blue Hill

The town of Blue Hill is a thriving year-round community as well as a popular summer destination and has long attracted a diverse group of artists, musicians and craftspeople. Not surprisingly then, it is home to a remarkable number of art and craft galleries and studios, among them the Liros Gallery 207-374-5370, 800-287-5370, the Leighton Gallery 207-374-5001 with its adjacent sculpture garden, Jud Hartman Gallery 207-359-2544, Handworks Gallery 207-374-5613, Rowantrees Pottery 207-374-5535, Rackliffe Pottery 207-374-2297, Peninsula Weavers 207-374-2760 and North Country Textiles 207-374-2715 where you'll find high quality hand-woven clothing, tablecloths and placemats, scarves and shawls, children's clothing and more.

The esoteric as well as popular collections of Blue Hill Books 207-374-5632, (Open Mon.- Sat. 9:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M., Sun. 11 A.M.-4 P.M.) and Northlight Books 207-374-5422 speak to the literary heritage rightfully claimed by Blue Hill.

Anyone interested in a glimpse of life in colonial America will enjoy a tour through the Jonathan Fisher House 207-374-2459 just south of the village on Route 15. It is a testiment to the remarkable talents of Fisher who built the house himself in 1815, painted it with paint he made himself and furnished it with his own handmade furniture. The house is filled with Fisher's paintings, copies of books he wrote, bound and illustrated himself and maps which he surveyed. (Open July 5 - Oct. 15 Thur., Fri., Sat. 1-4 P.M.)

Any serious lover of chamber music is probably familiar with Kneisel Hall 207-374-2811, a summer festival and school founded in Blue Hill in 1922. The school attracts accomplished students who come to study with world-renowned instructors. Faculty and students present a series of concerts throughout July and August. There is a schedule for Kneisel Hall events on the bulletin board in our front hallway.

Nature lovers may want to cruise the waters of Blue Hill Bay aboard the Marine Environmental Research Institute's (MERI) 12-passenger downeast-style lobster boat. These “hands-on” excursions, designed for families, adults or children, are fun and informative. (Available July 6 - Aug. 18.) For details, call MERI at 207-374-2135.

A fitting backdrop for the town is Blue Hill Mountain itself. There are well-marked hiking trails to the top of the mountain and the extra climb up the fire tower at the peak affords one of the best views in this part of Maine.

We hope that our suggestions will add to your enjoyment of coastal Maine. If you have questions about any of these activities, or others not mentioned here, please ask. We want you to enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy having you here. Also, if you discover other places of special interest, please let us know. We are always eager to expand our horizons.