Welcome

Please join us for the first Hallowell Granite Symposium September 11-19, 2021 at Stevens Commons in Hallowell when six of Maine’s most notable sculptors (all members of the Maine Stone Workers Guild) will transform Hallowell granite into works of art inspired by one of the four “Maine200” Bicentennial themes.

The public is invited to visit and interact with the artists on site at Stevens Commons daily between 10am and 4pm – plan to visit more than once to watch the sculptures develop over time. Visitors will vote for their favorite sculpture and one or more work of art will be selected to commemorate the Maine State Bicentennial in Hallowell as permanent public art. The other sculptures will remain at Stevens Commons or be placed elsewhere in the city to be offered for sale on behalf of the artists through The Harlow.

Schedule

Opening Ceremony 10am Saturday, September 11th

Lead event organizers and Hallowell City Council member Michael Frett will welcome participants to Hallowell and Maine State Historian Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. will give a short presentation on the history of the granite industry in Hallowell to formally launch the symposium. Location: in and around the Welcome Center tent.

Symposium open daily 10am to 4pm Saturday, September 11 to Sunday, September 19th.

The Hallowell Granite Symposium is a free outdoor event open to the public thanks to our generous sponsors.  Participants, event staff and visitors are expected to adhere to the most current Maine State guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please stay home if you are not feeling well.

Scroll down for parking information.

Start your visit at the Welcome Center tent to learn about the history of the granite industry in Hallowell. The Historic Hallowell Committee has put together an illustrated timeline depicting the introduction, expansion and ultimate decline of the granite industry and tools and other artifacts from the granite industry will be on display.

Related Events in Hallowell

Exhibit at Hubbard Free Library, 115 2nd Street

Info coming soon!

Permanent Exhibit at Camden National Bank, 14 Winthrop Street

The legacy of Hallowell’s granite history lives on in everyday life today.  Just down Winthrop Street from Stevens Commons, where the Symposium is taking place, is the Hallowell branch office of Camden National Bank.  

The bank was built about twenty years ago on the site of the Hallowell Granite Works stone cutting shed. In the bank entryway, visitors can read about our local granite history and about how the legacy was preserved by repurposing some of the original shed architectural materials in the striking new construction.  Be sure to look up at the interior ceiling!

Notice how the vintage tools, also on display at the bank are quite similar to many of the tools used by stone workers today. It’s definitely worth an in-person visit, any time during banking hours. Our thanks to Camden National Bank for hosting this permanent exhibit, and for co-sponsoring our first Hallowell Granite Symposium.     

Parking Map

Free parking is available in any of the lots highlighted in pale green on the map below. Please respect our neighbors, and avoid parking in any of the areas marked private.