The Sullivan-Sorrento Historical Society

07/04/2026

As we reflect on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we consider our small town’s role in the Revolutionary War that would continue through 1783. The signing declared independence, but we had to fight 7 long years after the fact to secure it. In 1776, Sullivan and Sorrento were known as New Bristol. What is now Sorrento was called Waukeag Point, and that is where Daniel Sullivan, the son of Irish immigrants, lived with his family. With his brothers James and John being integral figures in the Revolution, Daniel played a comparatively small role, but no less impactful to Downeast Maine.
He was made Captain of a company of militia in Col. Foster’s Regiment in Lincoln County (Hancock would be incorporated in 1789), he marched with his men three times to Machias in the summer and fall of 1777. The men in that company had names still present here today: Dyer, Hodgkins, Abbott, Ash, Wooster, Simpson, Hardison, Berry, Richardson, Googins, Martin, Scammon, Preble, Moon, Welch, Jordan, Butler, Springer, Tinker, Wescott, Jellison, Clark.
In July 1779, the same year his brother James helped draft the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Daniel and his volunteers marched to Majabagaduce (Castine), but arrived too late to fight with the doomed Penobscot Expedition.
With the growing influence of his brothers, particularly Gen. John Sullivan’s brutal victories against the British, Daniel became an easy target out here in the willywags. As a way to punish the Sullivans, the British ship Allegiance captured Daniel at his home in February 1781. Though both brothers appealed for his release, it wasn’t until the summer of 1783 that Daniel was to be freed, at the winding down of the war. By that point, the starvation and disease aboard the prison ship had taken too much of a toll, and he died on the ship before ever making it home. Many times more American patriots died aboard the British prison ships than on the battlefield, purposefully starved with meager portions of rotten food and bad water, and perishing in their own filth. Their suffering for the cause of American independence cannot be forgotten, and we remember the sacrifice of Daniel Sullivan, for whom our town was named, on this 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence.

06/24/2026

August 7, 1999 - Grand Marshalls Maynard Foss and Lynn Dunbar prepare to cut the ribbon to open the new "silent" bridge, with the old bridge in the background. Congressman John Baldacci looks on. The bridge celebration was a major event that coincided with Sullivan Daze that year.

06/19/2026

Tomorrow is opening day for the Archives and Museum!
We'll be open on Tuesdays 1pm-4pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm.
Here's a sneak peak of part of this year's Singing Bridge exhibit. We also have an exhibit on the American Revolution in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Stop in and check it out!

06/17/2026

Edwin Clapham at his home in West Sullivan c.1920 (colorized). The home still stands at 1807 US Route 1. Ed was born in Sullivan in 1857 to William and Abby Orcutt Clapham. His parents came here from the Blue Hill Peninsula, his father working as a stonecutter before settling into farming the land opposite the house. In 1879 Ed purchased a parcel from his mother and built a small home there that he would later expand into the large home we see today. In 1881 he married a cousin from Carmel, Maria Clapham. They had no children. Ed was very active in the community, working in the granite business and farming. He was a charter member of the David A. Hooper Lodge and of the Oasis chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. In 1900, he ran against Hannibal E. Hamlin for Senate. He was also a devout member of the Spiritualist movement; he had a cottage at Camp Etna. Before his death in 1937, he wrote a history of Masonry in Sullivan. He sold his home to Jimmy and Flora Dickens, who in turn sold it to Denis and Ruth Vibert in 1948.

06/15/2026

This project benefits all of us in our community - donations are needed!

A fundraising campaign is underway in the town of Sullivan to transform an existing community site into a modern, ADA accessible community gateway.

06/07/2026

Going up the main road (now Harbor View Drive), c.1908 (colorized). Before US Route 1 was laid down through the middle of Sullivan Harbor, Harbor View Drive was part of the County Road for over 150 years. Originally a part of Col. Paul Dudley Sargent's and Francis Salter's land, it was sold into smaller lots over time. The house closest on the right (76 Harbor View) was Mrs. Franklin's in 1881, later Dr. Hinman's. Behind it is the Otis C. Arnold house (72 Harbor View). Just over the hill, unseen on the left was Mrs. Moon's house.
Notice the brand new wooden sidewalks - a big upgrade at the time!

05/23/2026

A much different view from Bridgham Hill in Ashville, c. 1908 (colorized). You can see the mouth of Morancy Stream at Ober Cove, and John Small Cove and Ash Point in Gouldsboro beyond.