Mači-pikʷátohsək (Majabigwaduce), or Castine, is known for its unique historical signs first installed by the Village Improvement Society in 1908. While these panels are considered by many to be a distinctive part of the town’s character, they reflect outdated historical interpretations and contain problematic content, often focusing on European colonization while invisibilizing Wabanaki history and sense of place and erasing the traces of Castine’s Black residents.

Mači-pikʷátohsək : A Wayfinding Walk will use signage as a central theme, examining both the stories these signs tell and the histories they leave out, encouraging participants to critically reflect on visible elements of the commemorative landscape while learning about Penobscot worldview, wayfinding techniques, and relationship to place. Join us as we walk together to reflect and reimagine the many layers of stories that unfold in this landscape.

This event is a collaboration between Castine History Partners (CHP) and the Walks for Historical & Ecological Recovery (WHERE), a series convened by Atlantic Black Box. This initiative is funded in part by the Mellon Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, Maine Humanities Council, Maine Community Foundation, Sewall Foundation, and by generous donors.

Castine History Partners is a collaboration originally established to create virtual history tours for Castine, and CHP continues to work to support a variety of learning opportunities around the history of Castine. The partners include Castine Community Partners, Castine Historical Society, Castine Touring Company, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Maine Maritime Academy, Wilson Museum, and Witherle Memorial Library.

For more information and to register, please visit Atlantic Black Box.

Please note that carpooling is strongly encouraged due to other events happening in Castine this weekend.

Event Schedule:

1:00 pm Welcome & opening remarks at Emerson Hall (67 Court Street)

2:00 pm The Wayfinding Walk begins, featuring the voices of Jennifer Neptune and Flo Edwards

4:00 pm Regroup at Wilson Museum (112 Perkins Street) for observation stations, shared meal, student presentations, and group processing

6:00 pm Event ends