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| Antiques at The Old Commercial House, Winterport, Maine |
Incorporated in 1860, Winterport was named for its port on
the Penobscot River mariners could keep open in the dead of winter for the
shipping industry, a lifeline for the Bangor region at the time. Nineteenth century
charm is still visible today in the historic homes that once belonged to the sea
captains who lived there back them. The town’s Main Street shares Route 1A
which connects US Route 1 in Stockton Springs to Bangor. Unless you live in
Winterport, you might travel through it without stopping. But, if you do have
an opportunity to stop in Winterport, you will find it has quite a bit to
offer, from its scenic and active waterfront to its local Maine businesses,
each offering something unique and special. Blae and I have three favorite destinations
in Winterport we’d like to share with you now.
The Winterport Winery
Sample some local flavor and color at The Winterport Winery,
owned by Michael and Joan Anderson. What started with a winemaking kit gifted
to them one Christmas has turned into a year-round business involving their
whole family. Since they opened the winery in 2001 where their award winning fruit
wines are fermented and aged under the careful supervision of Michael Anderson,
who claims title of head winemaker, they’ve continued to expand. Besides the
tasting room, The Anderson Gallery at the winery features a tasteful variety of
artistic expressions and is another reason to stop by to say hello to the
Andersons. That’s not all, but we’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.Old Winterport Commercial House
Hosts Ray and Ann Ronco operate a charming Bed and Breakfast
in the town’s old commercial house. They offer hospitality and comfort at a reasonable
price with the added attraction of an antique shop where a person can be kept busy
nosing around for hours on end. Their reservation calendar for the 2012 summer
season is filling up fast, so don’t delay if you’d like to book a stay. Remember,
it’s a great place to visit during leaf peeping time in the autumn, as well.
Whether you stay overnight or just drop by their shop during the day, the
building alone is worth stopping to admire and makes a beautiful backdrop for
taking photos
Silver Willow Gallery
You can’t stop in Winterport without checking out Silver
Willow Gallery. You can learn to craft, as well as shop for handcrafted Maine
Made gifts, at this artisan run business at 115 Main Street, cozily tucked in
between the town’s pizza shop and dog grooming salon, and just across from the
Old Winterport Commercial House. Silver Willow Gallery is a perfect example of
what Maine’s local businesses can offer in the way of quality goods. Their wide
selection of items on display come
exclusively from the labors of Maine
artists, writers, potters, jewelry makers, knitters, felters, soap makers, wood
crafters and other artisans. Many fine pieces at Silver Willow Gallery are
one-of-a-kind items, creating a shopping experience you will not have anywhere
else. You can follow the Silver Willow Gallery Blog to keep abreast of Maine Arts and Crafts news and events around the state.
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| Unique Handcrafted Jewelry at Silver Willow Gallery |
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You never know what you might find at Silver Willow GalleryClick the links below to learn more about Winterport, Maine:
The Winterport Winery
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