Camden-Rockport Historical Society Helps Dedicate New Historical Markers in Rockport

August 27, 2025

Rockport, CRHS Susan Reider — Camden-Rockport Historical Society President Susan Reider and Charlton Ames, president of Legacy Rockport, stand next to old caskets that were once filled with locally manufactured lime and carried to large harbors along the Eastern Seaboard to be used in making mortar and plaster in the building of American cities. (photo by Lynda Clancy)

On August 4, the Camden-Rockport Historical Society joined Legacy Rockport and town officials in dedicating new outdoor historical markers at Rockport’s Harbor Park. The markers highlight the town’s industrial past, including the lime industry, shipbuilding, and fishing that shaped the harbor more than a century ago. Artifacts such as original lime barrels are now on display, offering residents and visitors a tangible connection to that history.

Camden-Rockport Historical Society President Susan Reider emphasized the importance of linking past and present, noting that the harbor once bustled with smoky kilns, shipbuilding, and commerce long before becoming the scenic destination it is today. She credited former Society president Heather Moran for leading the marker initiative and praised the collaboration that made it possible.

For the Camden-Rockport Historical Society, the project is another example of our mission to preserve and share local history. By displaying artifacts in context and adding interpretive signage, we help ensure that both the community and its visitors understand Rockport’s role in Maine’s industrial heritage.

Read the full article from The Penobscot Bay Pilot here.