The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies began publishing Salt magazine in January 1974. The publication was a hit among the people of Maine as student researchers and documentarians examined the sociology, folk traditions, and lifeways of Maine. Salt publications document the transformation of Maine’s culture, natural resource-based economy, and folk traditions from the end of the Industrial Age into the dawn of the Information Age and provide an important resource for those researching traditional attitudes and relationships between Mainers, the environment, and the larger world.
Between 1973 and 2008, Salt students and staff generated over 16,000 images, 849 writing projects, 251 short documentary videos, and 495 radio stories documenting the sociology, folk traditions, and lifeways of the people of Maine. Geographically, the collection emphasizes the York and Cumberland County regions of Maine, closest in proximity to the Institute. In 2016, original documents, recordings, images, film, floppy disks, and audio tapes were donated by the Salt Institute to Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections at the University of Maine. Digitization of unpublished material is ongoing. For more information about Salt or to access previously digitized, published material, please visit the Salt Story Archive.
Libraries and archives collect materials from human cultures to preserve the historical record. These materials may reflect sexist, misogynistic, bigoted, abusive, homophobic, racist, or discriminatory language, attitudes, or actions that some may find disturbing. Some content may be sexual in nature or discuss the use of illegal drugs and sex trafficking. Views and opinions expressed do not reflect the views and opinions of the University of Maine System or its campuses. User discretion is advised.
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SALT, Vol. 1, No. 2
Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
“Why the name SALT? Because salt is a natural symbol for the magazine — the salt of the sea, salt-washed soil, salt marshes and salty people, the kind that won’t use two words if they can get by with one.”
Contents
- 2 Winter Lobstering in the De-Dee-Mae Few boats brave the winter seas for lobstering, but the De-Dee-Mae does.
- 8 Old Remedies Some of the old cures people still use.
- 9 ‘My Mother Used to...’ Eleanor Wormwood tells about old remedies used by her mother and grandmother.
- 17 Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Ethel and Edie Furbish, 86 year old twins of Kennebunk, describe their escapades.
- 23 The Ice House Three feet of ice on the floor and a solid waterfall down the back stairs of the “ice house.”
- 25 Island View of the World Lyman Rutledge explains the mysterious drawing power of the Isles of Shoals.
- 29 “Part of Growin’ Up...” Ice inside the windows, and the toilet in the barn weren’t hardships, just part of growin’ up, say the Cecil Bensons of Kennebunkport.
- 30 Delivering Mail by Sleigh Stanley Brown tells about his experiences delivering mail by sleigh and wagon.
- 34 Caulking Boats Ken Campbell caulks a boat and tells how it’s done.
- 40 Trapping Avard Cole shares his 42 years of trapping experience with us.
- 50 Tales Told by the Fire Bert Hanscom’s stories about the old days are full of laughter and fun.
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SALT, Vol. 1, No. 1
Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
“Why the name SALT? Because salt is a natural symbol for the magazine — the salt of the sea, salt-washed soil, salt marshes and salty people, the kind that won’t use two words if they can get by with one.”
Contents
- 1 Dedication
- 2 Sampling SALT
- 4 The Stilly Story Stilly Griffin tells about lobstering in Kennebunkport.
- 8 ‘No One Ever Beat Me’ Clamming with Helen Perley to get nine barrels a day.
- 11 Arden’s Garden Arden Davis harvests sea moss — his garden is the seacoast.
- 16 Planting’s only half of it Reid Chapman, an 80-year-old farmer shares his experiences.
- 26 Bait Girl Ann Pierter tells about being a bait girl on a lobster boat.
- 30 How to Knit a Lobster Trap Head Albert Hutchins shows us how.
- 36 Storm at Sea Ben Wakefield tells about the storm he survived in 1933.
- 40 Our thanks to... SALT acknowledgments