Community Calendar

Maine's First Ship Summer Lecture Series 2023

We Fed the Pilgrims: Early European Settlement of New England
Michael Dekker, author, teacher, historian, and reenactor
July 12, 7pm at the Bath Freight Shed, 27 Commercial Street in Bath, and via Zoom
visit mfship.org/events for more information and to register

During the last half of the 16th century, a huge cod fishing industry was created in the Grand Banks east of Newfoundland. By 1620 there were permanent year-round settlements on islands in the Gulf of Maine. In 1623, the pilgrims in New Plymouth sent ships to these settlements to buy fish.

Throughout the colonial period, the export of dried and salted fish, especially cod, was the primary driver of the New England economy. The Atlantic fishery was of such economic importance that it figured heavily in war, peace, and diplomacy. However, despite the seemingly unlimited supply of cod as seen by the colonial settlers, the industry now is near collapse from overfishing and climate change.

Growing up and residing in Mid Coast Maine, Mike Dekker has developed a life-long passion for the region’s past. An avid student of early American history and material culture, he presents educational programs for historical societies, museums, historic sites, schools, and the public.

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