photo by Denise Wheeler

To modern day visitors, Star Island is like traveling back in time – certainly nothing has changed … or has it? When fisherman first arrived on Star Island back in the 1600s, they could not have imagined that where they once set out flakes on which to dry their cod, that the village of Gosport would soon arise.

Their spare, shingled shacks eventually intermingled with, were remodeled into or replaced by clapboard sided cottages, becoming home to families whose names still remain part of the Shoals community to this day. In turn, these families of Gosport who made their living from the sea could no more imagine that in time, their entire village would be bought out from underneath them and where their cottages once stood would rise a multi-storied grand hotel, changing their lives and the face of their island forever.

Join us as we explore how the architecture and environs of Star Island have evolved through the centuries – from the remaining original fishermen’s cottages to our beloved Oceanic Hotel as it stands today. We will learn how island structures have been moved, repurposed, even burned, others became part of larger buildings and how the original village has been altered through time to meet the changing needs of generations of Shoalers. The clues are all still there …. you just have to look!

Please note: ISHRA programming will run from September 9-11 and the conference will conclude on September 11.  September 12 will be offered as a completely optional extra day to rest, relax and enjoy the island with very little programming. We hope you will join us!