Isles of Shoals Behind the Scenes: How does an Island Run
When: September 6th (Friday) to September 8th (Sunday) 2019
Joel Plagenz is Conference Chair and Lawrence Bussey is Co-Chair.
Register by clicking here
Isles of Shoals Behind the Scenes: How does an Island Run
When: September 6th (Friday) to September 8th (Sunday) 2019
Joel Plagenz is Conference Chair and Lawrence Bussey is Co-Chair.
Register by clicking here
June 23, 2018 to June 27, 2018
Vintage photos from yesteryear help us to understand the people and places that make Star Island so meaningful. Journey with us over the past hundred years through a treasure trove of authentic photos to better understand those images that capture magical moments of Star Island’s past. We will hear from the authors of the Images of America books “ Star Island” and the “Isles of Shoals” who will help us to relive the history of the places around us. Come and try a stereopticon view of the Shoals. Create keepsake photos as we hear from experts on ways to create our own cherished memories with tintypes, Join renowned Star Island photography experts who will share their tips about their favorite spots on the island and help us all to see our beloved island in a whole new way.
September 7, 2018 to September 9, 2018
Fishing drew the earliest settlers to the Isles of Shoals—indeed, the very name of the islands may come from that era’s large schools of “shoals” of fish. Join us in tracing the history of fishing in the Shoals and New England from the 1600s to the challenges of today.
Some new discounts are in the works for this year’s ISHRA Summer and Fall Conferences! If you haven’t been to a conference in 3 years, you may get 30% off your room and board, and if you’re a returning Shoaler you can get credits for bringing new Shoalers. Please contact the Conference Chairs below for further info.
June 24, 2017 to June 28, 2017
Shipwrecks—and the lighthouses built to prevent them—have for centuries been closely associated with the Isles of Shoals and neighboring waters off the New England coast. Explore their legend and lore with experts during this five-day, four-night conference, with time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Star Island. Conference Speakers: Jeremy D’Entremont, American Lighthouse Foundation Historian
September 8, 2017 to September 10, 2017
Extensive archaeological digs on Smuttynose Island and elsewhere have uncovered surprising secrets of the past, including Native American artifacts dating back 6,000 years. Learn more about the early inhabitants of the Shoals and enjoy hands-on experience with the current dig at Smuttynose, plus time to relax and enjoy Star Island. Program Leader: Nathan D. Hamilton, Associate Professor of Archaeology, University of Southern Maine
It was smooth sailing from Portsmouth to Star Island for 25 conferees, including many first-timers, who attended ISHRA’s September conference, “The Undersea History of the Isles of Shoals.” But then, tales of harrowing shipwrecks echoed through Elliott Hall in the Oceanic Hotel.
Conference chair Laurence Bussey got things underway Friday night with an overview lecture and videos. The next morning, Stephen Erickson, co-author of Boon Island: A True Story of Mutiny, Shipwreck and Cannibalism, told of the 1710 wreck of the Nottingham Galley on Boon Island.
A violent thunderstorm struck the Shoals just after lunch, and many rushed to the porch with their cameras to witness the excitement. Later, all were relieved to hear that Erickson’s boat had made it back to Rye safely, despite having been caught in the storm.
Saturday afternoon, Professor Warren Riess told of his suspenseful search for the Angel Gabriel, a merchant ship that sank off Pemaquid Point in Maine in 1635. Later, he showed photographs of recovering nine cannons from the Nottingham Galley wreck.
After lobster dinner, ISHRA’s group joined the Writers in the Round conference for a candlelit chapel service, followed by an ice cream social at the snack bar.
On Sunday, Ray Demers and his son John showed photographs and artifacts from their discovery of the 1744 Royal Navy ship Asterea in the Piscataqua River, and ISHRA President Nathan Hamilton told of archaeological investigations at the Isles of Shoals.
A great time was had by all!