175th Anniversary of Yarmouth, Maine

Floor Speech

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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, the incorporation of the town of Yarmouth, ME, on August 8, 1849, was but one significant moment for one of the oldest communities in New England. On this 175th anniversary, it is a pleasure to commemorate a long and fascinating history that exemplifies the determination, resiliency, and ingenuity that defines our State.

For thousands of years, the area was the homeland of the Abenaki people, who thrived where the fast-flowing river they called Westcustogo meets the sea. In 1636, just 16 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, William Royall, a cooper in the employ of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Company, was provided a small land grant in the area. The farm he established gave birth to a new settlement on the frontier.

Drawn by the abundant natural resources, the small village grew and became part of North Yarmouth, the eighth town incorporated by Massachusetts in the Province of Maine. The river, now called the Royal River in honor of the first settler, powered sawmills and grain mills, and the shorefront became a leading center of Colonial and early American shipbuilding. It is estimated that more than 300 vessels were launched by Yarmouth's shipyards during the Age of Sail.

With its population exceeding 2,000 people, maritime-oriented Yarmouth separated from farming-oriented North Yarmouth on August 8, 1849, and became a separate town. Industrial activities expanded into tanneries, brickyards, ironworks, and paper-making.

Today, Yarmouth is a vibrant community with arts and music centers, a lovely library, outstanding schools, and beautifully preserved historic buildings. The active Yarmouth Historical Society has one of the finest and most comprehensive collection in Maine and the annual Wellcome Prize essay and film competition encourages high school students to learn about their community's past. One of the town's most prominent and treasured artifacts on display at the Yarmouth History Center is the Flaming Arrow Weathervane that topped the ``Old Ledge'' Meeting House built in 1730.

Yarmouth's 175th anniversary is a time to celebrate the people who pulled together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to those who came before, Yarmouth, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a bright future.

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