Damariscove Island caretakers

The caretakers on Damariscove Isl. are 2 young women, Elise and Sophie, who are a year out of college. They did some Americorps work in the Adirondacks last year, and applied to be caretakers this summer because they like working outside. One was a science major and the other a history major, so combined, they had just the right skills to answer all of our questions. As caretakers, they have had to do some pretty rough work maintaining trails. When we met them, they were putting the finishing touches on the little museum (once an old fishing shack). Their home for the summer was originally another sturdy, tiny old fishing shack of only about 120 sq. ft. (with not many apparent modern conveniences!)

Their affection for this work was clear. They love doing it so much that they said they want to come back next summer! We both were struck by Sophie’s comment that this was “soul-feeding” work.

Their plans for the fall involve taking a cross country trip out west, because Elise has never been out there.

These adventurers are making important contributions. Not all people feel a calling to such arduous work, but we are grateful for the ones who do.Read more