Library’s 130th Anniversary Celebration Week of Events July 21-27, 2025

 

Southwest Harbor: The Southwest Harbor Public Library is proud to commemorate 130 years of service to the community with a week-long celebration filled with engaging events for all ages. From Monday, July 21 through Sunday, July 27, the library will host a wide range of activities that honor its rich history and vibrant role in the life of the town. The celebration marks the 130th anniversary of the construction and opening of the library’s iconic brick building at 338 Main Street in 1895.

Festivities begin Monday, July 21 at 4:30 p.m. on the library's Main Street lawn with a Town Proclamation Ceremony. Town Manager Karen Reddersen will officially declare Southwest Harbor Public Library Week, followed by celebratory cake and lemonade.

Highlights of the week include:

● Tuesday, July 22 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – The McCue Lecture with Lincoln Caplan, renowned legal scholar and author of six books on the Supreme Court. Caplan will present: "Does the Supreme Court Have Too Much Power — or Not Enough?"

● Wednesday, July 23 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Children’s Celebration, featuring fun activities including coloring, library-themed cookie decorating, and more.

● Thursday, July 24 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Featured Guest Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Richard Russo, will speak on the lawn of St. John’s Church. Russo’s novel Empire Falls, set in coastal Maine, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2002.

● Friday, July 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Library Open House, featuring local oral histories and a walk-through of the library’s evolving legacy.

● Saturday, July 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Front Lawn Read-a-thon. Community members are invited to bring and read a favorite book or poem aloud on the library lawn.

● Sunday, July 27 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Finale Celebration Pig Roast Plus, a ticketed event on the lawn of St. Andrew’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Enjoy delicious Pig Roast by Pitmaster Seth Mclain, additional dishes by Clark Point Catering, and live music from J.B. Harrison and the Seal Harbor Boys.

Throughout the month of July, visitors can enjoy special historical exhibits inside the library, including: a curated selection of historic photographs of the library; works and equipment from photographer Willis Humphreys Ballard (1906–1980); photographs of Ralph Stanley Boats; and opportunity to explore the library’s Oral Histories Collection.

Join us in honoring the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s 130-year journey of literacy, learning, and community connection. Registration and details at www.swhplibrary.org, call 207-244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.

For the Calendar

July 21 Town Proclamation & Party 4:30 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. 130th Anniversary Kick-off Event. www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 22 Supreme Court Lecture 5:30-6:30 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library 130th Anniversary Event. McCue Lecture Lincoln Caplan. "Does the Supreme Court Have Too Much Power — or Not Enough?" www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 23 Children’s Celebration 3:00-5:00 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. 130th Anniversary Event. Activities and cookie decorating. www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 24 Author Talk Richard Russo 5:30-6:30 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library 130th Anniversary Event. On the Lawn of St. John’s Church across from the library. www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 25 Open House & Oral Histories 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. 130th Anniversary Event. www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 26 Front Lawn Read-a-Thon 9:00-1:00 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library 130th Anniversary Event. Bring and read a favorite book or poem aloud on the library lawn. www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

July 27 Pig Roast Plus Fundraiser 5:00-7:00 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. 130th Anniversary Event. On the Lawn of St. John’s Church across from the library. Rain or Shine. Tickets $130 available at www.swhplibrary.org/celebrate. 207-244-7065.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Receives “Best-In-State Bank” Recognition from Forbes for Fourth Consecutive Year

 

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, is pleased to announce that the Bank has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s “Best-In-State Banks” for the fourth consecutive year. The Bank was selected for the honor based on customer feedback and is one of only 191 banks to be recognized, representing less than 5% of all U.S. banks.

“To be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Banks for our home state of Maine for the fourth year in a row is a tremendous honor,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “This recognition reflects our entire team’s unwavering dedication to our customers and communities, and our commitment to provide exceptional service to everyone who trusts us with their financial needs. We strive for excellence every day because we believe that is what our customers deserve.”

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving the financial needs of Northern New England residents and businesses since it was founded in 1887 in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Bank balances the delivery of digital services that customers require, such as mobile banking and mobile deposit, with a personal approach to banking that customers desire. The Bank has a full-service network of more than 50 branches across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

In addition to the “Best-in-State Banks” honor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust also received recognition from Newsweek earlier this year as one of “America’s Best Regional Banks.”

For Forbes’ eighth annual ranking of the best banks in each state, the magazine partnered with market research firm Statista to conduct surveys with more than 26,000 U.S. residents about the banks and credit unions where they have a checking or savings account. Survey participants evaluated financial institutions based on criteria including: trust, customer service, digital tools, terms and conditions, and financial advice. The evaluation process also included analyzing more than 500,000 public reviews and ratings submitted over the past three years to gauge public sentiment about the banks under consideration.

Visit the Forbes website at www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-banks/ to learn more about the 2025 “Best-in-State Banks” recognition and the selection process.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating more than 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine, and has more than $4 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.