If you only visit North Haven Island once, you’ll likely recall the islands iconic 60-70’s era Peace sign on a barn door in town, shortly after stepping off the ferry boat or the dinghy dock.
It’s an unexpected artwork on a first visit. Yet in short time, it does seem to fit the village vibe.
Of the 350 or so year round residents, many are on a community FB page which serves as an internet bulletin board to post the special needs that go with living on a small island out at sea
I read an interesting exchange of the history of this iconic Peace sign on main street. The symbol first materialized as graffiti, in the late 70’s on the barn along main street. Locals have ideas who the original ‘artist’ - now long gone - was, but they stay pretty mum.
The symbol has been painted over, many times. Yet, it has mysteriously re-appeared just as many times, over the last 5 decades.
I found a shot I took over 10 years ago and sure enough, the peace sign was gone.
North Haven Island year round inhabitants have a cross section similar to most other coastal towns around the bay. They deal with the same problems, local and global, and disagree on many issues.
Living on an island little more than 5 miles long and 8 miles out at sea, they have more work to do in some of the services (transportation, medical, food), that we take for granted.
They must have to get along fairly well, I would think.
Summers, just like on the coast, are a different animal out here. Population swells 5(?) fold with summer visitors.
The barn and adjacent new building are now a community center. The Peace symbol was painted over again when the community center opened. Apparently the symbol was not a part of the founders vision.
But it magically reappeared - again. Then was painted over, again, and it reappeared,.... again,...and again.
Today, the community center wears the peace sign proudly. I have to hand it the perseverance of some of the unknown islanders. The community center, and the town, apparently realize today, the Peace sign is an icon of the town.
Not a bad icon for a small town on an island out at sea.
I was glad to see this photo posted New Years Eve 2019. Peace may not always reign on the island, but I think the enduring symbol out there is here to stay.
It’s an unexpected artwork on a first visit. Yet in short time, it does seem to fit the village vibe.
Of the 350 or so year round residents, many are on a community FB page which serves as an internet bulletin board to post the special needs that go with living on a small island out at sea
I read an interesting exchange of the history of this iconic Peace sign on main street. The symbol first materialized as graffiti, in the late 70’s on the barn along main street. Locals have ideas who the original ‘artist’ - now long gone - was, but they stay pretty mum.
The symbol has been painted over, many times. Yet, it has mysteriously re-appeared just as many times, over the last 5 decades.
I found a shot I took over 10 years ago and sure enough, the peace sign was gone.
North Haven Island year round inhabitants have a cross section similar to most other coastal towns around the bay. They deal with the same problems, local and global, and disagree on many issues.
Living on an island little more than 5 miles long and 8 miles out at sea, they have more work to do in some of the services (transportation, medical, food), that we take for granted.
They must have to get along fairly well, I would think.
Summers, just like on the coast, are a different animal out here. Population swells 5(?) fold with summer visitors.
The barn and adjacent new building are now a community center. The Peace symbol was painted over again when the community center opened. Apparently the symbol was not a part of the founders vision.
But it magically reappeared - again. Then was painted over, again, and it reappeared,.... again,...and again.
Today, the community center wears the peace sign proudly. I have to hand it the perseverance of some of the unknown islanders. The community center, and the town, apparently realize today, the Peace sign is an icon of the town.
Not a bad icon for a small town on an island out at sea.
I was glad to see this photo posted New Years Eve 2019. Peace may not always reign on the island, but I think the enduring symbol out there is here to stay.
