A huge thank you to our community donors & businesses who sponsored the trees & flowers boxes on Main Street and the Union River Bridge. This community tradition enhances the beauty of our downtown district. Initiatives like this are essential for fostering a vibrant and welcoming community. Their support demonstrates commitment to downtown Ellsworth’s beautification and shows community spirit!
THANK YOU: Carole Puglisi, Cliff Vaux, Colleen Ross, Corinna Merril Domagala with Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group, James Rea, Jeni & Dave Romantic, Mark C. Whiting, Michael Campbell, Momo’s Cheesecakes, Perry and the Stephenson Family, Rooster Brother, Sevy & Kenzie Crocker-Owen, Sonnie Shepherd, Toko Ellsworth, Finn's Irish Pub, Airline Brewing Co., and Uncle Buggy’s Hotel for Dogs!
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Teri and Doug Sargent-Smith for re-constructing the flower boxes for the Union River Bridge. They look beautiful!
Ellsworth Pride is super excited to be once again presenting the Ellsworth Pride Festival at Knowlton Community Park on Sunday, June 8th. In partnership withHeart of Ellsworth and Healthy Acadia, Ellsworth Pride will once again be presenting one of downtown Ellsworth's largest public gatherings, creating a space for all to connect, celebrate and be stronger together.
Featuring Curbside Queens, Boy.Scout, Lasers In The Jungle along, with LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, food, vendors and fun for all. This would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of MANY local businesses andHannaford Supermarkets.
The Franklin Street Parklet is open! Join Heart of Ellsworth this summer in the Parklet for two exciting events:
🍿Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF):
August 20th, 7:30pm (Rain Date August 27th)
Sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank
🎵 The Soul Vendors with WERU:
July 31st, 7pm
Sponsored by Volta Climbing Gym
We're excited to be back in the Parklet, and will share more information soon!
Preserve Our Historic Downtown
On Friday, 5/9/2025, Heart of Ellsworth unexpectedly lost a $30,000 federally-funded historic preservation grant, but we’re moving forward - with your help! Earning a federal designation will bring critical support for preserving Ellsworth’s historic buildings and keeping our downtown vibrant. Your donation will help us keep this important work on track.
Heart of Ellsworth is leading an initiative to nominate Downtown Ellsworth as a National Register of Historic Places Historic District. This project builds on a 2023 reconnaissance survey and aims to preserve and protect the historic and architectural character of the district while fostering economic and cultural growth.
The designated area includes approximately 47 properties across 6.5 acres on Main Street, State Street, Water Street, and portions of Franklin and Hancock Streets.
With your help, we can protect Ellsworth's historic character!
Join Our Team!!! Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in downtown Ellsworth?
Heart of Ellsworth is seeking a dynamic, organized, and collaborative leader to serve as our Assistant Director! This full-time role is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our vibrant, inclusive, and economically resilient community.
What You’ll Do: Lead creative community programming that energizes local businesses and residents Oversee strategic initiatives, events, and partnerships alongside the Executive Director Keep operations running smoothly with top-notch coordination and organizational systems Strengthen relationships with civic partners, volunteers, and nonprofits. Support fundraising and communications efforts to expand our reach and impact
Who You Are: Experienced in nonprofit management, community development, or business A skilled communicator with a passion for placemaking and historic preservation Tech-savvy with proficiency in digital tools like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Canva Capable of assisting with event setup, including physical arrangements and logistical tasks to ensure smooth execution of events and programs. A collaborator who thrives in a fast-paced, flexible environment
If you love working at the intersection of community, creativity, and sustainability—this is the role for you! Apply today and be part of something extraordinary!
Heart Of Ellsworth Recognized As A 2025 Accredited Main Street America™ Program
We are thrilled to announce that Heart of Ellsworth has been officially recognized as a 2025 Accredited Main Street America™ Program by the Maine Downtown Center and Main Street America! 🌟
This accreditation is our first — and it reflects our commitment to strengthening downtown Ellsworth through preservation-based economic development and community engagement. We are honored to join a network of programs across the country working to create vibrant, resilient downtowns.
🤝 This recognition wouldn't be possible without our hardworking board, dedicated volunteers, community partners, and local businesses who believe in the power of Main Street. Your support fuels our mission every day.
✨ Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to many more years of transformation and growth in the Heart of Ellsworth! 💛
Riverwalk North Sculpture Project
SISS artists Jesse Salisbury and Mark Herrington with Ellsworth Public Library and Heart of Ellsworth leadership.
🌿 Riverwalk North: A Year of Art and Community on the Library Lawn
We’re excited to announce a new chapter in the Riverwalk North project! In collaboration with the Ellsworth Public Library and Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Heart of Ellsworth will host a year-long temporary sculpture installation on the library lawn—bringing public art to the heart of downtown. Three sculptures were recently installed with more to come as part of this effort, launching a year of artistic exploration and community connection.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize the Riverwalk North trail, encouraging community engagement through accessible, creative experiences in shared public space.
The sculptures—created by the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium—are a first step toward building a Union River Sculpture Trail, blending art, culture, and outdoor recreation.
This exciting phase is made possible thanks to a planning grant from the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, which supports our vision to transform the Riverwalk North into a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable destination.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and community events tied to the installation.
SISS artists (from left to right): Chris Miller, Celeste Rohberge, Kazumi Hoshino, Mark Herrington and Jesse Salisbury on Roheberg's Chaise Gabion.
If you’re a potential homebuyer, join us to learn about a new development coming soon to Ellsworth. Find out what opportunities might be open to you and your family.
Get ready for a dazzling night of celebration as Fogtown Brewing proudly hosts the sensational Curbside Queens in our Ellsworth beer garden! This fabulous drag show is a highlight of Bar Harbor’s Pride festivities—and it’s guaranteed to bring the sparkle, sass, and show-stopping performances you love. Come for the queens, stay for the show, and celebrate love, identity, and community with us. This event is free and open to the public, everyone is welcome!
Grand Opening Of Franklin Savings Bank Branch On State Street!
Sunday, June 9th: 4-5:30pm
Franklin Savings Bank has a new branch on State Street! Join the local team at Franklin Savings Bank as they celebrate opening their full service location at 181 State Street.
Summer is here, and EPL launches six weeks of reading adventures, creative challenges, and community fun! This year’s summer reading theme is Level Up, and EPL's kick-off event—Level Up Your Story—celebrates kids' unique journeys and the power of understanding others' stories too.
Spend a magical morning with lawn games, an outdoor scavenger hunt, and snacks. What's more kids and teens can also design their very own reading dragon (and/or friends). Designs can be created during the event or brought back on another day - however, no later than July 21 to enter our community vote. The winning designs will be announced at the end of August and become part of EPL's official Reading Dragon Families—to be shared with everyone in October!
Socialize with mocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 1:00pm then take a relaxing journey in 1920s style starting at 1:30pm. This will be even more fun if you wear any bit of Roaring 20’s garb! Don't miss this fun opportunity to travel back to the 1920’s with other fun-loving folks including historians and train lovers!!!
The Grand received a T-Mobile Grant for a massive sound upgrade! The project was recently completed by a small group of volunteers. Joe Lewis was joined by Jeff Ferrell and Bob Terwilliger, along with project chief Audrey Terwilliger and others. Check out upcoming events and experience the new sound system!
From Main Street America: Understanding Vacancy And What You Can Do About It
Vacant buildings offer more than economic opportunity; they present the chance to protect and adapt these meaningful places for future use.
There is an urgent need to reduce storefront vacancies and activate properties on Main Streets. Using a strong understanding of the causes of vacancy, a robust inventory of downtown buildings, and a toolbox of regulatory changes and incentives, local leaders can help fill vacant spaces to foster economically vibrant and sustainable communities.
Every month, the Heart of Ellsworth team interviews local business owners and publishes the feature in the Ellsworth Business Pulse. In May, we featured Morton's Moo Homemade Ice Cream. Did you catch it? Subscribe to this monthly e-newsletter to get features in your inbox, as well as resources, events, and support available to business owners and entrepreneurs in downeast Maine. Emails drop mid-month.
Lead creative community programming that energizes local businesses and residents
Experienced in nonprofit management, community development, or business
