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The Machias Historical Society was organized in 2006 as a non-profit corporation and is a tax exempt historical society, a public charity.  The Society works to fulfill its purpose in a variety of ways.  Membership is diverse and interests vary, but the common thread is an interest in learning about our history and sharing it with the public.  Many of our members have traced their genealogy back to the colonial era and beyond.  

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Each year we commemorate the battle for independence from Britain by remembering the Battle of the Margaretta in 1775 (the first Naval battle of the American Revolution), the Battle of Machias (the Rim) as well as other battles that occured in 1776 and 1777 to defend against British agression.

We sponsor the Margaretta Days Festival and Craft Fair in June each year, in which we use reenactment and demonstration to transport attendees back to the 1700s in Downeast Maine.  One of the goals of this Festival is to involve area youth as participants to enhance the educational opportunities provided by this Festival.   Guest reenactors join our Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine to provide a robust picture of the past at this Festival.

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We collaborate with the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and with local Passamaquoddy Native Americans to commemorate the Battle of Machias (the Rim) each August when the British returned determined to destroy Machias in retaliation for capturing the Margaretta.  The defense of Machias was successful with the help of the local Passamaquoddy Native Americans who came to the aid of the patriots.

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In the past, the Machias Historical Society has presented historical symposiums as participatory and educational experiences.  More are planned for the future.​

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