The County 2018 | Aroostook County Tourism | Page 48

THE COUNTY | 2018
ARE YOU FROM THE COUNTY? Millions of Americans
can trace their ancestry back to The County. Whether it be our native
peoples, the French Acadian, Scotch-Irish, or Swedish—each have
woven their traditions into the American story.
French Acadians have a strong presence in Aroostook County. The term Acadia
refers to France’s 17th-century colony, l’Acadie, on America’s North Atlantic
coast. Eventually, the Acadians traveled up the St. John River and resettled
in northern Aroostook. With a heritage that includes fishing, lumbering, and
shipbuilding, you can see French Acadian sites throughout the St. John Valley,
including homesteads, chapels, schools, and shops dating back to the 18th
century. Experience this culture’s sparkling music and dance, and distinctive
dishes like poutine or ployes, at local festivals.
AMISH
Aroostook County’s small Amish settlements, in Smyrna, Easton, Hodgdon, and
Fort Fairfield, are relatively new, dating back to the 1990s. Since then dozens of
families have established traditional farms and businesses. Grab this opportunity
to glimpse their way of life and browse healthy, organic foods and wood crafts.
FRENCH ACADIANS
IRISH & SCOTCH-IRISH
The Irish and Scotch-Irish began immigrating to North America in the 1700s,
establishing permanent settlements in Aroostook and forming an English-
speaking enclave among the Acadian French. These folks introduced potato
farming, an economic driver for Aroostook County ever since. Life was hard,
but they were buoyed by hard work and sparkling wit.
SWEDISH COLONY
About 1869, Maine’s state immigration commissioner traveled to Sweden and
recruited 51 immigrants to start a new life in the northern Maine forests.
The colony, known as New Sweden, prospered and expanded to neighboring
townships—Westmanland, Stockholm, and Woodland. Enjoy local festivals,
music, and foods for a taste of Swedish heritage.
Aroostook County is home to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Houlton
Band of Maliseets. The Micmacs were among the first native North Americans
encountered by European explorers. The Maliseets are part of the larger Maliseet
Nation of North America. Aboriginal ancestors lived and hunted off the land
throughout Aroostook County. Today, the Micmac tribal government is in
Presque Isle; the Maliseets are in Littleton. Both tribes display their heritage
through crafts, museums, farms, and markets.
For more information about the cultural heritage of the region visit our
website or call Judy at 888-216-2463.
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NATIVE AMERICANS