Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association September 2025

September 5 - September 7 or 8

Books and documents lead us to believe that the history of the Isles of Shoals begins with the early European fishermen who came ashore to process their great hauls of cod. But history is not limited to the written word. Under the thin and fragile soil of these tiny islands lies a fascinating story to be told, the first chapters of which we are only just learning how to read.

A multi-year long archaeological dig on Smuttynose Island led by Dr. Nathan Hamilton, Associate Professor of Archeology at University of Southern Maine, has yielded a treasure trove of bones and artifacts that continue to reveal clues to the rich and diverse marine environment of the Shoals once utilized by Indigenous Peoples for sustenance and Early Europeans for commercial profit.

Join us as Dr. Hamilton shares his in-depth findings and discoveries with us over this special weekend through a series of engaging lectures and interactive experiences as he takes us back in time to see what life at the Shoals was like, before there was a village called Gosport.

Note: An optional trip to Smuttynose may be included, weather and tide dependent

Program Fee

$100 per person 

Room & Board

The rates below are per person for the full length of the conference.

2-night Option

Standard Shared: $425 | Standard Single: $580

Motel Shared: $515  | Motel Single: $730 

3-night Option

Standard Shared: $575 | Standard Single: $780

Motel Shared: $695 | Motel Single: $1,000

Financial Aid

Visit www.ishra.org to learn more about what ISHRA offers.

Boat Schedule

3-night Option

Departure from Portsmouth September 5th TBD

Departure from Star Island September 8th TBD

2-night Option

Departure from Portsmouth September 5th TBD

Departure from Star Island September 7th TBD

Questions?

Contact conference chair Ellen Koenig at ellen.koenig123@gmail.com