Public Story
When They Leave
Cushing’s Island is a small island in Casco Bay, Maine. There are several cottages on the island that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Many were designed by the architect, John Calvin Stevens and built for well-to-do families who enjoyed them through entire summers in the early 1900’s. These same cottages are now shared by extended families and renters who return each summer. Today’s island families may not have the luxury of staying all summer, but even short vacations provide a small glimpse into the island’s elegant history. Tennis and croquet tournaments are still a major afternoon pastime, as well as cocktail parties on porches, poetry readings, impromptu music sessions and organizing the traditional Labor Day Lobster Bake. These shared experiences bind the residents together forming a strong community that is cherished and preserved in the artifacts housed in each family’s cottage.
After the summer residents leave for the long winter, the cottages have their own quiet story to tell of the families and their care for this treasured place. The cottages have been weathered by many Maine winters, and loved by generations of summer vacationers. Some cottages appear to be in a prolonged state of disrepair, yet show no sign of disregard.
From 2017 to 2019 I photographed the island caretaker maintaining and winterizing the cottages. During this time I found that each place had a special character spoken through the preserved objects within. Through photographs, I explore the cottages as the residents left them for the winter. Family photos, musical instruments, books and other ephemera show what makes the island experience special in the well-worn spaces left behind.
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