Stonington Hosts Fifth Annual Tourism Symposium

STONINGTON—From elected state officials to business owners and tourism experts from Downeast Acadia, the Stonington Opera House was alive with celebration of the area’s tourism successes and conversations about improvements in the future during the fifth annual tourism symposium on October 31.

- Monique Labbe

This year’s symposium centered not only around data and numbers of people and money coming into the area but also on the history, arts and culture of the Blue Hill Peninsula.

Per Janson, Executive Director of Opera House Arts, detailed the history of the Opera House, and the events and programs that have been hosted over the decades, from plays and dance recitals to films and basketball games during the early years.

“One thing I have really observed during my short time here is that this is a real sense of community,” said Janson. “We have collaborated with organizations and groups around the area, and I think that’s what makes this area so special, and why so many of you made the drive down here today.”

Bert Yankielun from Island Heritage Trust detailed work he has done and continues to do, electronically mapping historical sites to discover centuries-old artifacts and locations not included on more recent maps of Deer Isle and Stonington.