Belfast Historical Society Presentation with Stephen A. Goldman, M.D.

“The Grand Army of the Republic: How Warrior Identity and Survivor Obligation Drove Union Veterans to Fight Jim Crow” will be the topic of the Belfast Historical Society’s meeting at 7:00 PM, May 19, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. Stephen A. Goldman, M......More

“The Grand Army of the Republic: How Warrior Identity and Survivor Obligation Drove Union Veterans to Fight Jim Crow” will be the topic of the Belfast Historical Society’s meeting at 7:00 PM, May 19, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. Stephen A. Goldman, M.D., psychiatrist and Civil War historian, will discuss how and why Union veterans assumed critical roles as moral and political forces, particularly through the nation’s most prominent biracial postwar organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. While avowedly apolitical, the GAR was a stalwart bloc in support of landmark Republican initiatives on behalf of African Americans after Reconstruction’s end, and beyond. As Jim Crow took hold on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, Dr. Goldman will detail the GAR’s fight against bigotry and racism in two major areas – quality public education and social equality. Stephen A. Goldman, M.D. is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, war historian, public health expert, and the only physician to serve on the Abraham Lincoln Institute Board of Directors. His having treated and worked with those who have been in combat, in-depth study of America’s veterans that spans 160 years, and their ramifications are all exemplified in the groundbreaking book, One More War to Fight: Union Veterans’ Battle for Equality through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Lost Cause. Left Bank Books will have his book available for purchase, and Dr, Goldman will be happy to sign copies at the May 19 meeting. The Belfast Historical Society presents talks of local historical interest on the 4th Monday of the month from April through October. All presentations are in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library and are open to the public. Seating is limited to 75. FMI visit BelfastMuseum.org or call 207 338-9229. These programs will be recorded and can be viewed on Belfast Community Television and on the museum website.

Abbott Room

The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein......More

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein.com for more information and to register.

Abbott Room

Foraging for Wild Mushrooms Balancing Safety as you Expand your List of Edibles with Greg Marley

As people build their knowledge and skills to forage and use wild edible and medicinal mushrooms, it is natural to want add more mushrooms to your list.  As you move beyond the Foolproof Few, the common, easily-identified mushrooms, it becomes even more important to hav......More

As people build their knowledge and skills to forage and use wild edible and medicinal mushrooms, it is natural to want add more mushrooms to your list.  As you move beyond the Foolproof Few, the common, easily-identified mushrooms, it becomes even more important to have guidance on choosing wisely and avoiding toxic mistakes. This talk seeks to offer a list of great mushrooms by filtering the recommendations through answering this question so often posed to me: “What is your favorite mushroom?”. The talk will focus on Maine and New England mushrooms.  Biography:  Greg Marley has been studying, growing, collecting, cooking and eating wild mushrooms for 50 years.  He is a frequent speaker and lecturer and teaches mushroom identification and ecology to hundreds of new foragers.  For more than 2 decades he has consulted in cases of mushroom poisoning across New England.  Greg is the author of Mushrooms for Health Medicinal Secrets of Northeastern Fungi (2009) and Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares, The Love Lore and Mystique of Mushrooms (2010). He lives and mushrooms along the coast of Maine.  When not mushrooming he works as a mental health trainer and consultant in suicide prevention and response after a loss. This talk will take place in the Abbott Room with a Zoom option. Register for the Zoom link here.

Abbott Room

Genealogy group meeting: House Stories

Join us for a presentation from Janine Carpenter about her ongoing project researching the historic houses of Searsport. Originally started for the Searsport Historic Preservation Commission, Janine Carpenter intended to develop house plaques for the 100+ year old homes......More

Join us for a presentation from Janine Carpenter about her ongoing project researching the historic houses of Searsport. Originally started for the Searsport Historic Preservation Commission, Janine Carpenter intended to develop house plaques for the 100+ year old homes, but little did she realize the time and resources needed that would be needed for this project. Learn about this work to preserve these vital histories, in conjunction with homeowners, Penobscot Museum staff/volunteers, Waldo County Deed/Probate Offices, and numerous online resources. Janine Carpenter, a former educator in Georgia and New York, is now retired in Searsport. All are welcome! This is a hybrid meeting, with the option to join in-person in the Abbott Room or to join online over Zoom. To receive the Zoom link or for more information, please email Sharon Pietryka at spietryka@belfastlibrary.org.

Abbott Room

Knit2Together

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn......More

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn from each other while working on their own projects. Library staff will have computers available to demonstrate how to use Ravelry.com and other websites to help find patterns and organize your work. Registration is not required. For more information please call 338-3884 ext.10 Contact bharrington@belfastlibrary.org to sign up to to join the knitting group.

Abbott Room

STEAM Team ~ Lift off into Bird Data: Unleashing the Power of Community Science

What is a naturalist? Learn how to observe, record, and contribute to real world science using powerful tools like eBird, BirdCast, Merlin, and the Motus tracking system.  Through hands-on activities, you will collect valuable data that supports ongoing research and con......More

What is a naturalist? Learn how to observe, record, and contribute to real world science using powerful tools like eBird, BirdCast, Merlin, and the Motus tracking system.  Through hands-on activities, you will collect valuable data that supports ongoing research and conservation efforts–because every observation counts!  We will then apply these skills on a short bird walk led by a Maine Audubon naturalist. Free event for ages 8-12 For more information or to register, please visit the program’s website. Or, contact Belfast Free Library at www.belfastlibrary.org. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Karen Giles, karengiles@maine.edu or 207.342.5971

Abbott Room

Library Closed for Memorial Day

The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein......More

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein.com for more information and to register.

Abbott Room

Knit2Together

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn......More

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn from each other while working on their own projects. Library staff will have computers available to demonstrate how to use Ravelry.com and other websites to help find patterns and organize your work. Registration is not required. For more information please call 338-3884 ext.10 Contact bharrington@belfastlibrary.org to sign up to to join the knitting group.

Abbott Room

Music Together: Discover the Magic

~Singing, Dancing and Jamming for children and their families! Brought to you by Music Together and Midcoast Music Academy. 

Abbott Room

The Wheelbarrow Poets Meet

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein......More

The Wheelbarrow Poets meets weekly on Tuesdays in the Abbott Room from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Writing prompts are sent in advance of the gatherings by Belfast Poet Laureate Maya Stein, and participants share work and discuss. Open to writers ages 18 & up. Email hello@mayastein.com for more information and to register.

Abbott Room

Knit2Together

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn......More

Knitters, crocheters, yarn enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Wednesday , from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room. This drop-in event is a chance for knitters- and crocheters too- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn from each other while working on their own projects. Library staff will have computers available to demonstrate how to use Ravelry.com and other websites to help find patterns and organize your work. Registration is not required. For more information please call 338-3884 ext.10 Contact bharrington@belfastlibrary.org to sign up to to join the knitting group.

Abbott Room

Climate Resilience Fair

Please join the Belfast Free Library and Waldo County Climate Action Coalition on Saturday, June 7 at Steamboat Landing in Belfast for the Climate Resilience Fair, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. There will be 40+ local businesses and non-profits with resources and examples of......More

Please join the Belfast Free Library and Waldo County Climate Action Coalition on Saturday, June 7 at Steamboat Landing in Belfast for the Climate Resilience Fair, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. There will be 40+ local businesses and non-profits with resources and examples of ways to prepare for a changing climate. Speakers throughout the day will include Maine State Climatologist Sean Birkel Maggie Somers, Maine Conservation Voters Parker Gassett, Community Climate Resilience Officer for Maine Sea Grant, and more. This FREE event includes family activities, music and food trucks! Event information is being updated more info can be found here at the Waldo County Climate Action Coalition website. If you’d like to volunteer to help with the event please email waldoclimateaction@gmail.com.  

Steamboat Landing, Belfast, Maine

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Library Lobby