First published in 1984, Island Journal, Island Institute’s annual print and digital publication, tells stories of life in Maine’s island and coastal communities, the character and livelihoods of the people who call the state of Maine their home, the history of how we got here, and the interactions between humans and nature.
- 2024
Will Frost’s Rum Runner Boats
Boat design legacy remains in play today
- 2024
Art of Penobscot Bay: A Sampling
Book features imagery inspired by New England’s largest bay
- 2024
Island Town Government: Conflict, Color, and Committment
Interest has waned, but local version of democracy remains critical
- 2024
Samuel French Morse: A Trip Outside
The poet who knew Maine’s Downeast islands
- 2024
Where the Harbor Bears Your Name
The legacy of Frenchboro’s Lunt family
- 2024
Everybody Has Got a 'Bajupa' Story
Wooden smack boat serves island communities for decades
- 2024
Double Vision — The Art of Eric Hopkins
People who know islands know how to see them
- 2024
Suhail Bisharat – A Natural Diplomat on Chebeague
Jordanian-born art champion connects with everyone
- 2024
North Haven’s Hub by the Water
Waterman’s Community Center is more than a building
- 2024
Island Institute’s Fellows Program Marks 25 Years
After their service, Fellows have become leaders in Maine
About Island Journal
Life in Maine’s Island and Coastal Communities
Island Journal was first published in 1984 by Island Institute founder Philip Conkling, a writer, and co-founder Peter Ralston, a photojournalist. An early and key supporter, the late Betsy Wyeth, urged the two to produce a publication that stood out from the field of nonprofit reports and newsletters. More than 40 years later, Island Journal continues to meet that standard, gathering stories, photographs, and art that illuminate the rich culture of life on Maine islands and in its coastal communities.
The annual publication features the stories of those who live and work on the coast and islands, and reflects our history, the lessons learned, and continually looks toward our shared future. Today, many Mainers and Island Institute supporters keep a bookshelf in their home for their Island Journal archives, which collectively, contain the larger story of the beautiful, rugged, independent, and precious way of life in our island and coastal communities.
“It is, at the very least, bad manners to care about any aspect of an island and its phenomena, without caring also about its people—past, present, and future.” – George Putz, editor Island Journal (1984-1991)
Browse by Issue
Browse each digital issue of Island Journal, dating back to the first issue published in 1984.
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