After a year and a half on Swan’s Island, it’s strange to think of leaving in the fall! The Island Institute fellowship has been an incredible experience for me, and I’m so lucky to have had the chance to know and work with such great people.

The majority of my time has been spent with the Historical Society, working on digital archiving, oral histories, volunteer training, and exhibits. Last year’s Maine Community Heritage Project was a great challenge, and also led us to explore our options for future online development. There is now a searchable, online photograph catalog with over 1,000 images. This collection will continue to expand over the years thanks to our wonderful volunteer efforts!

I’ve also been having fun working with the island kids. Last year I led the “History Detectives” club, an afterschool group that took advantage of local experts and historical sites. This year I’ve worked on a service-learning project in school with the 6-8th grade class. Each student produced a short film telling an island story. These digital pieces will be added to the historical collection. The kids learned how to storyboard a project, how to organize and carry out an interview, and all of the technological skills needed to make a video on iMovie. After a few weeks, they were teaching me stuff!

One final part of my work on the island was the “added value project,” which is up to each fellow to choose. I knew that I wanted to bring contra dances to Swan’s Island, but I never dreamed where that would lead me! The island band “Noah’s Ballast” formed and has been meeting and performing for over a year now. The dances have been a great time, and I’ve learned to ‘call’ (teach the dance moves as the music plays), something I thought I’d never be able to do.

Apart from everything else, I’m so grateful to Swan’s Island for the welcome it’s shown me. The island very quickly felt like home to me, and I’ll be sorry to leave!

As Kate will be completing her Fellowship at the end of the summer, all of the SIES staff, board, and volunteers who have worked and played with her during her stay on Swan’s Island would like to say “Thank you, Kate!” We certainly will miss you but wish you all the best on the next leg of your journey. Just come back and put on a Contra Dance once in a while, okay?